An early developer preview points to a likely late summer release for the next version of Android.
With the arrival of the Android N developer preview, there's burning question for those of us who haven't yet played around with this very early version on a Nexus device: When will the next version of Android be finished, and released into the wild.
Typically, new versions of the OS tend to land in late October or early November. However there are signs that Android N could reach "stable" status a little sooner in the year than you might've expected. Writing on Medium today, Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer suggests "final" Android N will be made available to manufacturers this summer.
By releasing the first preview and asking for your feedback now (in March!), we'll be able to act on that feedback while still being able to hand off the final N release to device makers this summer, so they can get their hands on the latest version of Android earlier than ever.
It's worth pointing out that a "release to device makers" isn't the same thing as a public release. So while the people who make phones might get final Android N code this summer, that doesn't mean updates will start pushing out, nor that new devices will start appearing running N out of the box around this time.
There are further clues in Google's Developer Preview site, which breaks things down from the first "alpha" release of Android N, right through to the "final" code drop sometime during the third quarter.
- Preview 1 (initial release, alpha)
- Preview 2 (incremental update, beta)
- Preview 3 (incremental update, beta)
- Preview 4 (final APIs and official SDK, Play publishing)
- Preview 5 (near-final system images for final testing)
- Final release to AOSP and ecosystem
The big differences for developers this time around includes much earlier access to final APIs, and the ability to start publishing apps using those APIs to Google Play right then and there. This will allow users in the Android Beta Program to use and test them on their devices.
So while there's no specific release date just yet — and we wouldn't expect one so far out from launch — sometime in late Q3 seems a reasonable bet. That said, Google missed a few of its projected timeframes during 2015's Android M Developer Preview, so don't hold your breath.
As always with early developer previews and pre-release operating systems, everything is subject to change, and nothing should be considered anywhere near final until Google says so.
More technical details at the Android Developers site.
Reader comments
Android N release date: What we know about the path to launch
Android is a fragmented OS. I say this as an Android user and fan. Until Google can find a way to have the manufacturers and carriers provide the newest operating system, especially on phones 2 years old or less, within 4-8 weeks. of the new OS version, Android will always be seen as imperfect. Google is talking about releasing the successor of Marshmallow when most phones, even some less than 6 months old are still running Lollipop or Jellybean, not because users choose not to upgrade, but because the current OS has not even been offered to them yet! I am sick of paying $600-$900 for a phone only to be a generation or 2 behind the latest operating system within 3-6 months of purchase. Google should strive for 80% or greater adoption/availability rate of its current OS and concentrate on fixing its bugs BEFORE releasing a new version!
Exactly my thoughts, what is the point of these OS updates when I am not going to get them. Even if my device had the possibility of getting the updates it would be so late there will be another android update on the horizon. I have been using android since 2010 and with all the money I have spent on android devices I think I would have been better off buying an iPhone and get latest updates as much as possible.
Or buying a Nexus and getting the updates sooner.
The shame of things is because OEM's are able to mod Android and carriers have too much control we have these problems. I'm sure Google release the AOSP in a timely manner but the carriers insist on their extensive testing and mods, OEM's insist on their testing and mods and Google take the blame.
Hopefully an earlier release will help the Galaxy S7s get this update before Christmas this year. One can but hope.
Google knows how to do a proper planning, unlike MS which has no idea about anything in that win10mo fiasco :)))
here we go again.
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This is so freaking cool and organized of Google to name a timeline and do it each month. I think last year they missed a month or two but I don't recall a timeline graph like this. Not a developer at all but really tempted to flash N since this is my first Nexus phone ever. Really makes me wish my dammed moto x didn't break then I could use that as my driver while I'm testing my Nexus 6.
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I just love how I'm already looking forward to the next OS while waiting for the current OS to arrive on my phone. I love to just wait in general. Android waitgate...
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For any early release it seems very stable on my Nexus 6
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Did it wipe your data?
Only uninstall after you've installed it would wipe your data, because when you opt out of the beta program you'll receive an OTA with the latest stable firmware, and downgrading will then wipe your data.
Opted into the beta program and got the update via OTA
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This early release makes total sense for (normal, non-Nexus) manufacturers to have enough time to start rolling out updates by the holidays and to release new models on N in time for the holidays as well.
Obviously some will be able to get updates out sooner (HTC and LG most likely), but then there is Samsung who will have just enough time to maybe start rolling out updates at the same time they launch the S8 early next year.
If there is no hardware related features with this update, Google may not release a Nexus device with this one. So far the new features just seem to be software related.
Would Google skip a year on nexus devices? Maybe a tablet and no phones? Who knows?
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Downloading on my 6P and nexus 9 right now
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Here come the bugs
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Well nexus users are beta testers, even after release
Sent from my Nexus 6
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And you'd rather get left behind on an older version.........makes sense.
I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup
Most don't care about being updated to the latest android version. If their phone is working fine then that's all that matters to them.
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If you're commenting on a site like this we aren't like most people.
I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup
and a lot of us still do not care.
Sure you don't.
I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup
absolutely dont. I used to when I was into rooting and roms but anymore I will stick with what is working vs beta testing (on my daily, my spare is another story)
I don't mind being a "beta tester", I like to see how Google changes Android.
I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup
Lmao
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Let me know how it works out.
I have Nexus 6 and 9. I want to test on Nexus 9 but I am not sure if it will wipe my data.
Definitely a reason why I think I should start looking at Nexus devices for updates.
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N? I'm waiting on Android M. Maybe Marshmallow will come to my Note 4 when Android O is released (definitely gonna be called Oreo)
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Exciting as this is..
My Sprint lg g3 is desperately waiting for a Marshmallow update. Sure I'm rooted and like roms but not ASOP which doesn't utilize my hardware correctly in the camera department.
As I understand it, lollipop is fairly dominant in regards to being on the most devices. But I'm seeing fragmentation coming once again for popular devices that are more than capable of having new software.
In the early android days, hearing about the newest software was always exciting with new capabilities and noticeable improvements. Without the (you need a nexus) arguments, it would be nice to see Google insist and contribute to their software being upgraded through carrier devices very quickly.
Like a contract to hold everyone accountable for releasing these updates in a very timely matter. Or loose the ability to sell Android products. It may be tough love, but may help get everyone together on solving this continued problem.
Thoughts.?
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That is not a release. That is a DEVELOPER PREVIEW, that is full of bugs and is unusable as a day to day system, that is meant for developers to put in test devices to make sure their apps are compatible with a system that will only be launched in 8 or so months. I don't see why any of this would ever be available to non-nexus devices.
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Also, the moment Google post the source code online, and others companies download this code, modify it, add extra garbage and start selling devices with it, it's simply wrong to call it "their software"
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I understand that it's not working software, I was getting at the fact that by the time it is released on a phone, 3 versions will still be rampantly used on most current flagship phones from the past 2 years. Brand-new (hopefully N), many with (M) and still a ton on (L). Then carriers give up on working one the last one and customers are stuck on older versions. Was my only point
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I was in your shoes few years ago and made the decision to only get Nexus.
Manufacturers take too long to update.
And im here waiting for Samsung to release M to the darn s6...
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Samsung released Marshmallow for the S6 a couple of weeks ago. It's your carrier that hasn't released it, not Samsung.
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Me and my friends all use Samsung, and here's the gist: We collectively own 3 Galaxy S6s, two G920Fs and one G920I, distributed by two different Samsungs, two Note 5s - an N920I and N920S (yes, the korean one), and two Galaxy S5s (G900H). And so far, only the Korean one is on M. Everyone else is still waiting for M on their UNLOCKED devices, including me,
I'm sure they work just fine without Android M so relax and be patient
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And I'm waiting for M on my T-Mo V10. Shame. What a busted system this is.
My work phone, an unlocked S6 edge got the update a few days ago.
Why can't I get Android N on my Motorola StarTAC today!
Pleeeease help!
Because you didn't read previous articles.
http://www.androidcentral.com/first-android-n-developer-preview-factory-...
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But dammit IOS does it so much better
/s
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Why can't Google release the NEW OS every 2 years?
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I think they release it every year 'cause the majority receive the current update a year after it's released. My Note 4 is still running 5.1.1, and being behind about three months on the security update, I don't expect to ever see 6.0 in this device's lifetime.
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**** man, you expect that old piece of junk to get software updates? Get with the times and upgrade to a V60.
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StarTAC > V60 any day of the week. Just not the analog model. I personally liked the 7868 the best, but that was on Airtouch Cellular before it was acquired by Verizon.
Airtouch, NYNEX, Bell Atlantic, and GTE formed Verizon, it wasn't acquired. Also 85% or so of PrimeCo, since it was a joint venture of the 1st 3. The rest of PrimeCo sold to At&t or became privately owned for a bit.
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