Android Q, which is the next iteration of Google's mobile operating system and comes as the successor to Android P released last year, has now been made official. Google has released the first beta build of Android Q specifically for Pixel users. While the list of all the changes coming to the new Android version is expected to be released at the time of its public debut -- sometime in the third quarter of this year, the Android Q Beta 1 brings some of the significant upgrades over Android Pie. One of the new offerings is the availability of the precise permissions for giving location access to apps. Google has also added improvements pertaining to foldable phones.

 

Similar to how Google brought Android P initially, the first beta version of Android Q is available for Pixel, Pixel XL ₹ 67,000, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL ₹ 67,999, Pixel 3 ₹ 59,799, and Pixel 3 XL. The search giant has notably retained the original Pixel models, though they already passed the general support window of receiving Android version updates for the first two years from their debut.

Users with Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL ₹ 67,249 can experience the initial features of Android Q by participating in the Android Beta Program. This will provide Android Q beta updates over-the-air (OTA) on the compatible Pixel models.

However, Google has also provided downloadable factory images for all the eligible Pixel phones. Enthusiasts can also opt for sideloadable OTA files.

If you don't own a Pixel device but are keen to experience what Google has brought through the first beta of Android Q, you can download the latest emulator system images via the SDK Manager in Android Studio and see all the changes through the Android Emulator.

It is worth mentioning here that similar to all the existing beta updates, the first beta build of Android Q is only meant for testing purposes. Therefore, it is recommended to download the build on a secondary device and be ready to face some issues during the course of your usage. You can, however, give your feedback and report bugs to the Android team.

While Google has now released the first beta build of Android Q, the final public release of the new Android platform is planned for the third quarter of this year. Meanwhile, the next beta release is scheduled for early April that would be followed by the third beta build of Android Q. It should be announced at Google I/O 2019 that will begin on May 7.

Google is also set to bring the fourth beta build of Android Q along with final APIs and the official SDK in addition to Play publishing offering for supported apps in June. However, the fifth and the sixth beta builds of the new platform will come in the third quarter as release candidates for testing and final testing, respectively. After that, the Android maker is set to bring the final release to AOSP and the ecosystem.

The first beta build of Android Q aka Android Q Beta 1 brings some of the major changes over what was available on Android Pie so far. The first change is the additional control for sending location details to apps. Similar to iOS, users on Android Q can select whether they give apps permission to see their location never, only when the app is in use or running, or all the time when it is in the background.