Android N is here: Here’s how to get the Developer Preview

Last updated Jun 23, 2017 586

Google releases the Factory Image of Android N and activates the Android Beta Progam program that allows you to receive the new release of the operating system over the air update. Supported Nexus 5x, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus 9G, Nexus Player and Pixel C.

Google, without any special announcements or events that have anticipated the arrival, released yesterday evening the Factory Image of the new major release of the Android operating system to a limited group of devices including Nexus 5x, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus 9G, Nexus Player and Pixel C. It is for the avoidance of doubt, the Developer Preview of Android N, an initial release aimed at developers and advanced users who will be finalized over the months until the release of the stable version, expected, indicatively, not before summer for OEMs.

The Factory Image can be installed on supported devices or used with an emulator, giving developers the opportunity to assess the compatibility of their apps with the new API of Android N. It should be emphasized from the outset that Google has chosen simultaneously to activate Android beta program, which offers the opportunity to receive via OTA the developer Preview of Android N, without the need to install Factory Image (supported devices are those indicated in the opening).

Users who join the program will receive Preview versions of Android N every 4-6 weeks until the launch of the public version of the operating system, then you will continue to receive updates for the public and stable version. At any time, you can return to the public version of Android. Both in case of installation of the OTA of Android N, both in the case of returning to the stable release, all data will be deleted from the device. Google also points out that if you choose to make the flash of Factory Image Android N will not receive updates via OTA (in this case, a recovery in Marshmallow will need to make and activate the beta program).

Below addresses to download the Image Factory and to join the Android Beta Program:

Factory Image (supported Nexus 5x, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus 9G, Nexus Player and Pixel C).
Android Beta Program (the data of your Google Account) must be entered.

And correct to remember that the material provided by Google is not addressed the consumer market and present’s instability and bugs of varying severity that cannot make it suitable for everyday use the initial release of the operating system. The installation of the Factory Image requires a certain mastery of the basics of modding.

Google remembers the steps needed to make the flash of factory image on Nexus devices in this official support page, but the installation is primarily recommended to users aware of the risks linked with the use of a software developing. Less complicated is the installation via OTA, since the procedure is no different from the one that allows you to receive the usual updates of the stable version, but does not change the substance of the update that will let you try a non-permanent operating system.

Google has begun to document the new features introduced with the first release of Android N, comprising:

Mode Multi-windows, both on smartphones, both on tablets.
Mode Picture-in-picture for devices such as TV.
Interactive notifications, or the possibility to respond to incoming messages without leaving the notifications panel.
Grouped notifications, notifications of the same app can be concentrated into a single group and expanded using gesture or tap on a specific button.
Doze enhanced (involves software introduced measures to improve the battery life).
Support for Java 8 improved.

The list of innovations is even more extensive and refinements both large and small will come to light with the use of the new version of the Android operating system, others will be added along the way is the period between the release of the stable version of the operating system. Android N, whose commercial name is not yet established.

Android N will represent one of the main topics of discussion for the next Google I/O set for the end of May (May 28 to 29), but until then, the community of developers and experienced users will have got to know in more detail the face of the next step of Google’s mobile OS development.