Sticking to its schedule, Google is now rolling out Android Q Beta 4 to the Pixel smartphones, including the newly launched Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. When the cheaper Pixel phones were launched last month, they had support for Android Q Beta, but it was later revoked saying the support will be added in June. Android Q Beta 4 is now available for the entire Pixel family including Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL. Right after Google's announcement, smartphone brand Essential came out and said the Essential PH-1 Android Q Beta users would start receiving the Beta 4 OTA update starting today, which is a good thing to hear. Other OEMs like OnePlus, Xiaomi, HMD Global can release the new beta update to their supported phones. A total of 19 smartphones have support for Android Q Beta, but it might take some time for OEMs to release the update.
Android Q Beta 4 Brings Final APIs
With Android Q Beta 4, Google is pushing the final APIs to the repository, meaning developers can now build apps for Android Q and add support via Google Play Store. The API level is API 29, as listed by Google on the official Android Developers website.
Android Q Beta 4: What's New?
Right now, we don't have the Android Q Beta 4 installed on any smartphone, but 9to5Google has listed a slew of changes which will come with the new beta update. Google has made some major changes to the overall interface; To start things off, Dynamic System Updates is now available for Pixel smartphone owners. This feature, spotted by folks at xda-developers, will allow users to install a system GSI file and test it for a temporary period. That said, after testing the installed GSI file, you can just reboot your smartphone to go back to the normal version.
Moving on, Google is rebranding the Smart Lock feature of Android to 'Pixel Presence' and the 'Face Authentication' feature is moved out to Settings. It brings some new accent colours- Cinnamon, Space and more.
With Android Q Beta 3, Google allowed users to swipe off gestures in a single direction (which the users can select). However, Beta 4 allows users to swipe notifications away in both directions. Other Android Q features like Bubble Notifications, Adaptive Notifications are added to Pixel smartphones with the Beta 4 update.
Google Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL Supports Android Q Beta 4
At the Google I/O 2019 event last month, Google announced the long-rumoured Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL smartphones. Right after the launch, the search giant said both the phones support Android Q Beta out of the box. Initially both the phones even had the support and some users managed to install Android Q Beta 3 on their Pixel 3a/Pixel 3a XL.
But Google, later on, removed the support stating that both the phones will support the forthcoming OS in June. Sticking to its words, Google has added Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL smartphones back to the Android Q Beta supported devices list, which makes the entire Pixel lineup compatible with Android Q Beta.
