Android Q (beta): Top features, eligible devices and everything to know

Android has a come a long way in 10 years. t only in terms of user base (Google says, it is running on over 2.5 billion active devices as we speak), but also in terms of core functionality. Every new iteration brings with it, a renewed focus on invation. But in 2019, Android is also about security and privacy and digital wellbeing, according to Google.    

Android Q, latest version of Android, is w available in beta. Well, it has been in beta since March – but at I/O 2019, Google rolled it out of select preview so more people can (w) try it out in vance. Ahe of a more stable roll-out, possibly in August. Google has been following this trend since last year to gauge interest as well as find bugs through real-world user cases – so it can fix m sooner rar than later.  

While a lot many features of Android Q have alrey been out in open since March, at I/O 2019, Google dropped some more, in dition to giving a general idea as to where Android was heing, after 10 years. 

Android Q beta (3) eligible devices 

Android Q beta 1 was exclusive to Google’s Pixel phones – Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. As expected, Google has w opened platform for third-party devices. Broly speaking, Android Q beta (3) is available for 21 devices from 13 brands, including all Pixel phones. 

Here’s complete list of third-party phones eligible for Android Q beta: 

-Asus ZenFone 5Z 

-Essential PH-1 

-kia 8.1 

-Huawei Mate 20 Pro 

-LG G8 ThinQ 

-OnePlus 6T ( upcoming OnePlus 7/OnePlus 7 Pro should be eligible at launch) 

-Oppo Re 

-Realme 3 Pro 

-Sony Xperia XZ3 

-Tec Spark 3 Pro 

-Vivo X27 

-Vivo NEX S 

-Vivo NEX A 

-Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G 

-Xiaomi Mi 9 

Oddly eugh, Samsung phone features in list, just like last year. 

Android Q beta (3) top features 

Android Q will t be a substantial upgre over Android P as far as visuals are concerned – and even though Google will continue to d more features all along until final roll-out, what we’re seeing w is what it’s going to look like eventually. Android Q beta (3) has five key features – worth talking about. Google clubs m under invation, security and privacy, and digital wellbeing categories.  

Invation 

-Live Caption: This new accessibility feature can automatically caption media that’s playing audio on your device by pressing a button – at I/O Google demoed feature by using volume down key. re are two breakthrough vants of Live Caption – it can work across any app, as long as re’s audio playing, and it works on-device without needing internet (cellular or Wi-Fi).    

-Smart Reply: Google is expanding scope of Smart Reply (that was first introduced in Gmail) to allow any messaging app (SMS, WhatsApp et al) to suggest replies in tifications in Android Q. Google says feature will be also able to ‘intelligently predict your next action.’ For instance, if someone texts you an dress, Smart Reply can take you straight to Google Maps. 

Security and privacy 

-Google is redesigning privacy menu in settings in Android Q with special emphasis on securing user location from apps. Google is offering more granular control to users when it comes to location sharing with apps with Android Q. Android Q will offer as many as three levels of permissions – share location only when a given app is in use, or all time (even when app is running in background), or don’t share location at all (at all times). OS will also send automatic reminders when an app is using location in background.  

-Project Mainline: Google says, Project Mainline is a “new approach to keeping Android users secure and ir devices up-to-date with important code changes, direct from Google Play." Google goes so far as to say that certain OS components will be able to update in background, similar to how one updates an app from Play Store. t only will this ensure faster updates, it will also bring with it convenience to never reboot your device post a software update.  

Digital wellbeing 

-Focus Mode: Google’s digital wellbeing feature is being expanded to include a new per-app based Focus Mode in Android Q. feature will allow users to selectively mute certain apps for proverbial peace of mind.  

-Family Link: vanced parental controls are also coming to Android Q so parents will be able to t only set app-specific time limits for ir children, but also d bonus time which Google says has been a highly requested feature. 

Miscellaneous 

-System-wide dark mode: Yes, a system-wide dark mode is finally coming to Android through Android Q. As name suggests, dark mode (which is ultimately designed to save battery life), will turn whole system UI ( settings menu, tification menu and in-house apps) stark black – which should particularly stand out among growing crop of OLED devices. 

- Support for foldable phones: Foldable phones are all r se days and with legacy brands like Samsung and Huawei investing (and Apple said to be secretly working on) in m, it won’t be long before y become new rm in days to come. Software will be key to ir success. Gauging interest early, Google is working to make Android work well on foldable devices and Android Q is its first step in that direction. 

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