Android Q is recently announced new beta Android version from Google. Android Q features are quite unique exciting features. Previous two versions could only be tested on Pixel devices.
But Google has revealed Android Q build 3 in ongoing I/O 2019 event. I/O event is a developer event by Google where they announce various products, services, and updates.
Google revealed that a total of 23 devices from 12 OEMs will support Android Q beta 3. This would enable people without Pixel devices to give Android Q a try.
These downloads would be available today.
It is noteworthy that the number of compatible devices is doubled this year when compared to last years.
But since it is a beta software you would face bugs and problems using Android Q. In addition, you would need to wipe out the previous version before installing Android Q.
Android Q Features
Here are a few quick words on Android Q features
Foldable Display
The foldable display is the latest thing and this along with 5G is a gamechanger for the phone industry.
Android Q is designed to support the potential of foldable devices—from multi-tasking to adapting to different screen dimensions as you unfold the phone.
Live caption
For some persons, especially those who cannot hear captions are very important to understand the content.
Android Q allows Live Caption will automatically caption media that’s playing audio on your phone. Live Caption works with videos, podcasts and audio messages, across any app—even stuff you record yourself.
Captions appear as soon as speech is detected.
Smart Reply
Smart Reply is now built into the notification system in Android. This allows any messaging app to suggest replies in notifications.
It can also intelligently predict your next action. For example, when you receive an address, you can just tap to open that address in Maps.
Security and privacy
We’re doing even more in Android Q, with almost 50 new features and changes focused on security and privacy.
- Dedicated Privacy section with important controls
- New Location section
- for better control over the location data
- Plus, you’ll receive reminders when an app has your location in the background, so you can decide whether or not to continue sharing.
- Android Q also provides protections for other sensitive device information, like serial numbers.
- Faster access to security fixes, privacy enhancements, and consistency improvements
Life Balance
- Focus mode,
- Silence the distracting apps for a particular period, until you require
- Digital Wellbeing and Parentral Control
Dark Theme
It was long due and demanded from Google. Finally, it would be available.
Support different accent colors
Image Credit: Android Authority
Android Q now supports different accent colors. Most prominently, they are seen in quick settings menu [see image]. The brightness slider also changes color.
Smooth Over Sharing Tools
Google is tweaking its sharing menu. It’s faster and easier to use now.
It appears Google has altered the API for connecting apps to Android’s native sharing module. With that in mind, it could be that some apps will share faster than others as they adopt this new API.
Adjust notification clearing
In Android Pie, swiping to either the left or right would get rid of notification.
In the new Android Q beta, swiping to the left now reveals the context menu. A left Swipe gives you the option of ‘snooze’ or ‘mute’ a notification. Expanding it gives you even more options, such as ‘block’, ‘show silently’, or ‘keep alerting’.
Wi-Fi sharing via QR codes
Password sharing could be difficult thing when you want to allow your friend to your network. With Android Q, you can go to network and generate new share button that generates a QR code which you can use to share the password to network. Before sharing you need to authenticate the QR code with WIfi credentials.
Add Secret Desktop Mode
In Desktop modes phone can be connected to an external display (and peripherals).
Native screen recorder
There is a native screen recorder for screen recording. But it’s not smooth yet.
Change volume settings functions
There is a support for directional, zoomable microphones and this feature lets apps specify a focus direction for a smartphone’s microphones.
This could be very useful and handy to journalists and vloggers recording videos.
Android Q Device List
Below is the complete list of devices that support the Android Q beta. If you want to install it, check out this step-by-step guide on the process.
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL
- Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
- Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
- Asus ZenFone 5Z
- Essential PH-1
- HMD Global Nokia 8.1
- Huawei Mate 20 Pro
- LG G8 ThinQ
- OnePlus 6/6T/7
- Oppo Reno
- Realme 3 Pro
- Sony Xperia XZ3
- Tecno Spark 3Pro
- Vivo X27
- Vivo NEX S
- Vivo NEX A
- Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G
- Xiaomi Mi 9
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