The Android Q beta will be rolled out to even more smartphones compared to the Android Pie beta, thanks to Google’s Project Treble. At the I/O developer conference last year, Google made the surprising announcement that the beta for Android Pie, known only as Android P at the time, would be made available on several devices from other manufacturers. Previously, Android beta versions were only available on Google’s own Nexus and Pixel devices. However, Project Treble allowed owners of the Essential Phone, Nokia 7 Plus, OnePlus 6, Oppo R15 Pro, Sony Xperia XZ2, Vivo X21, and Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S to try out the Android Pie beta. Project Treble is a new update framework that makes it easier, faster, and less costly for smartphone manufacturers to update devices to the latest Android version. It was introduced in 2017 through Android Oreo, but its development has continued through Android Pie and into Android Q. Iliyan Malchev, the head of Project Treble, revealed in episode 110 of the Android Developers Backstage podcast that the Android Q beta will involve more smartphones compared to the Android Pie beta. “The number is bigger for the upcoming Android release, which I am very happy about. I cannot share the exact numbers yet. But the trend is positive and strong, and I am very happy about this,” Malchev said in the podcast. While Malchev did not reveal how many manufacturers and devices will be part of the upcoming beta beyond Google’s pixel smartphones, but that number will apparently be higher than the seven from the Android Pie beta. Google is still expected to keep the Android Q developer preview as a Pixel exclusive, for a period that will likely last for up to two months. The operating system’s beta program will then start, most likely at this year’s I/O which is scheduled for May 7. It may take a couple of months before Google reveals the smartphone manufacturers that will be part of the Android Q beta, but it appears that Android fans will be less likely to need to purchase a Pixel to participate in upcoming beta programs for the mobile operating system. Meanwhile, speculation is still running rampant on the official Android Q name. Editors' Recommendations<doc-sep>Developer Previews allow Google to get feedback at a point in the development cycle when meaningful changes are possible. For Android Q this year, users can send feedback through the recently launched subreddit, bug tracker, and new Android Beta Feedback app. Till Kottmann on Twitter this morning spotted that the Android Beta’s “How to provide feedback” page is already accessible. This year, Google will include a new Android Beta Feedback app on “Pixel devices running preview software.” This app is for submitting bugs, feature requests, or other feedback about Android Beta / Developer Preview software only. The app will only be available until the conclusion of the Android Beta Program. “Feedback” will appear in the app drawer, but is also accessible as a Quick Settings tile for more convenient access. In the app, users will have three options: Report Issue: You can file bugs directly in Google’s public issue tracker, and easily attach bug report logs. Issues you file are visible to other users, so do not include personal information in your typed comments. Attachments will not be accessible to other users. Feature Request: You can suggest new Android features or major changes to current design. Other Feedback: You can share everything else such as general compliments, complaints, or other opinions. This option is only available to Pixel devices. For average users, this Pixel-only app will be useful for suggesting new features or “major changes to current design,” as well as “general compliments, complaints, or other opinions.” Existing options like the Android bug tracker — that went live early, but has since been pulled — is still available, as is the Android Beta subreddit, which should be more ideal for fostering discussion. Google notes that it is “actively monitoring the feedback there.” Given all these preparations, a launch of the Android Q Beta is likely coming very soon. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:<doc-sep>Last year Android 9 Pie was rolled out in beta form on handsets from Essential, Nokia, OnePlus, Oppo, Sony, Vivo and Xiaomi as well as the Google Pixels, and this year it looks like even more manufacturers will join the Android beta party. As Android Police reports, Iliyan Malchev from Google's Project Treble team revealed the move in a discussion on the Android Developers Backstage podcast. Project Treble is Google's move to make it easier for phone makers to update Android on their devices, separating the actual Android code from the layers that these other companies add on top – which should mean updates get pushed out faster. Chrome for Android getting a dark mode More folding phones are on the way Android is adding extra security features Malchev doesn't say exactly who else is going to be included in the beta program for Android Q, but as well as the companies we've already listed, it would seem Samsung, HTC, LG and Huawei could be among those included this time around. Dealing with fragmentation The most common Android version is still Android 6.x Marshmallow, which launched in 2015, and is still running on more than 1 in 5 devices worldwide. That shows you the problems with fragmentation that Android still has. Adding more phones to the Android Q beta, as well as the ongoing efforts with Project Treble, should help to turn those figures around. As yet we don't know too much about what Android Q is going to bring with it – Face ID-style logins have been mooted, letting you log into your phone and make purchases using your face, and there's also been talk of a system-wide dark mode. We should hear much more at the Google IO developers conference 2019, which gets underway on May 7. It's the event where Google usually teases new features for the next version of Android, and provides details of what the beta will involve.<doc-sep>
Google last week transitioned the Android Beta community from Google+ to Reddit in likely preparation for Android Q. In recent weeks, signs have picked up, with the latest being Google opening the Android Q bug tracker, while the company last week discussed that more OEMs are joining the Beta Program. Mishaal Rahman of XDA this evening spotted how the “Android Q Beta” bug tracker is already open and accepting reports about issues associated with testing software before a public release. Heading to developer.android.com/preview/bug successfully loads a form where users can enter their issue. [Click the Component dropdown and select the second “OEM” item.] The form and template is quite generic, and even features a build number from the last Android P beta in 2018. What’s particular notable, however, is that the issue tracker already refers to the upcoming program as “Android Q Beta.” Last year, Google referred to it as the Android Developer Preview until Google I/O 2018 and DP2 (or Beta 1) was announced and regular users could easily install via OTA. Meanwhile, last Friday, Iliyan Malchev from the Project Treble team shared (14:25) on the Android Developers Backstage podcast that “the number [of OEMs participating in the Beta Program] is bigger for the upcoming Android release. At I/O last year, Essential, Nokia, OnePlus, Oppo, Sony, Vivo, and Xiaomi joined the Google Pixel in offering a taste of Android P months before public availability. The number of companies was notable, but did lack big players like Samsung, Huawei, LG, and Motorola. The Googler did not share this year’s number, but any of those four would be a “big” and meaningful get that reflects Project Treble’s success. In recent years, the first Android Developer Previews are announced on Wednesday, but Rahman did note how there is a March 11th date tied to the bug tracker, suggesting a more imminent release. Update: March 13th has emerged as a likely release date for Android Q. This is according to a Reddit post (via AP) that shows an alleged screenshot from an internal Google “developer calendar.” Wednesday — the typical day for releases — is marked off as “QT Beta 1 – OTA.” The reference to an OTA is interesting as the first release is usually limited to factory images. Taken in conjunction with another reference to “Beta 1” — vs DP1 — this year’s release could be different. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news: