Google I/O has become a very successful yearly conference aimed to unite Android developers and educate enthusiast about the Android operating system and the plans of Google for its development. The 2019 edition of I/O is highly anticipated, especially with the impending release of Android “Q”, which remains to be unnamed at the time of this writing. The event will be held in California’s Shoreline Amphitheatre, starting Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai is expected to describe Google’s pipeline for the future of the Android platform and the changes in the Android division for the past years in order to provide a complete storyline for the platform’s audience.
“Google I/O has traditionally been a showcase for Google’s AI prowess. This year, I anticipate the focus to be on hardware, whether it be through the new generation of Pixel phones or its smart display or a potential update to the Android TV,” explained Prabhu Ram, leader of CyberMedia Research, an Industry Intelligence Group.
There is a considerable expectation that the search giant will announce a new version of Pixel smartphones in I/O. If we will believe the current leaks, Google will venture towards the mid-range smartphone aside from the current premium-end of the market. The alleged $399 device will sport a maximum of 6-inch screen with a middle range SOC, either a Snapdragon 710 or 670.
When it comes to Android Q, those that have a Pixel device can install developer previews since March 2019. Beta 1 was released last March 14, 2019, and updates will be provided at the beginning of every month until June. After July, two beta versions will be distributed as test versions and then the official version will be released. Functions have been added and improved from Beta 2 to Beta 3 and the API has been finalized with Beta 4. App developers will be able to quickly deliver updates to Android Q beta program participants in Beta 4 and later. We will enter the final testing phase with Beta 5 to Beta 6. With Beta 3 scheduled to be released in early May, you may be able to install the beta version “Android Q” on Android devices other than Pixel smartphones.
At the moment, six models that can be updated to beta version “Android Q” are Pixel / Pixel XL / Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL / Pixel 3 / Pixel 3 XL. In Japan, because Pixel smartphone was released last fall, there should be many people who could not install beta version. You can install the beta version on Pixel 3 / Pixel 3 XL this year. A newer beta built was anticipated to be released on the I/O event itself just like the past years, however, Google is trying to fast-track its Android development. Google has received the message that developers wish to have a Dex-like feature similar to Samsung flagship phones. Coincidentally, Android is sharing iOS devices, as Android Q will feature gesture controls and swipes lessening the use of buttons.
With Android Q, users will be able to control access to photos, videos and music with new run-time privileges, and using file pickers for downloads will allow users to explicitly select and manage download files that the app can access. Of. It seems that the way in which external storage shared area is used is changed as a developer’s influence. In addition, the application that was operating in the background is suddenly restricted from appearing as foreground (active application).
Google is set to live stream the event in its official developers page: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoogleDevelopers.
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