GOOGLE LAUNCHES ANDROID Q BETA 4 WITH FINAL APIs AND OFFICIAL SDK

Google today launched the fourth Android Q beta with final Android Q APIs and the official SDK. If you’re a developer, this is your fourth Android Q preview, and you can start testing your apps against this release by downloading it from developer.android.com/preview.

The preview includes system images for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, and the official Android Emulator. If you’re already enrolled in a beta program, you’ll automatically get the update to Beta 4. Like Beta 3, Google is also bringing Android Q Beta 4 to third-party phones “over the coming weeks.”

In addition to the Pixels, here are the supported third-party devices (full list): Asus ZenFone 5Z, Essential Phone, Huawei Mate 20 Pro, LGE G8, Nokia 8.1, OnePlus 6T, Oppo Reno, Realme 3 Pro, Sony Xperia XZ3, Tecno Spark 3 Pro, Vivo X27, Vivo Nex S, Vivo Nex A, Xiaomi Mi 9, and Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G.

Google launched Android Q Beta in March, Android Q Beta 2 in April, and Android Q Beta 3 in May. Beta 1 brought additional privacy and security feature enhancements for foldables, new connectivity APIs, new media codecs and camera capabilities, NNAPI extensions, Vulkan 1.1 support, and faster app startup. Beta 2 added multitasking Bubbles, a foldables emulator, and a new MicrophoneDirection API.

Beta 3 was the biggest by far though, because it launched at I\O 2019. Beta 3 brought 5G support foldable improvements, more privacy enhancements (when apps can get location, restricted background launching, tracking prevention), biometrics improvements, TLS 1.3, suggested actions in notifications, Smart Reply in notifications, Live Caption, Focus Mode, Dark Theme, gestural navigation, and Project Mainline.

Beta 4 updates

Beta 4 doesn’t really bring any new features — it’s more about finalizing what was already added. Beta 4 includes the final Android Q developer APIs (API level 29), the official API 29 SDK, and updated build tools for Android Studio. In other words, “everything you need to test your apps for compatibility with Android Q and build with Android Q features and APIs.” If you’re a developer, you’ll want to download Android Studio, configure your environment, and check the release notes.

Emil Protalinski

VB.