Google announces Android P Beta at I/O, heading to more devices in addition to Pixel phones

Google is holding its annual developer conference, Google I/O, starting today, and with the conference comes a plethora of announcements. A few of the announcements include new features and skills coming to Google Assistant, new AI-powered features in Gmail, a new initiative dubbed “Digital Wellbeing” that contains features to help users monitor and limit phone usage, impressive AI-powered features coming to the Photos app, a completely revamped News app, new Android P features, and much more.

However, the biggest news possibly announced at I/O this year is the Android P Beta, and that it will not just be limited to Google Pixel devices, but will be available to flagship devices from seven more OEMs starting today. The Android beta program was previously available exclusively to Pixel devices, and this marks a shift in the way major Android beta preview releases are offered.

Android P Beta is available to the following devices:

Google Pixel
Google Pixel XL
Google Pixel 2
Google Pixel 2 XL
Nokia 7 Plus
Vivo X21
OnePlus 6 (unreleased yet)
Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
Sony Xperia XZ2
Essential Phone
Oppo R15 Pro

Android P is indeed a major update to Android, including significant UI/UX tweaks, new gestures, features like Shush, the new Do Not Disturb mode, and much more. It is interesting to see Google open up the beta program to more OEMs. The firm adds that the addition of other manufacturer devices for the beta program was possible with Project Treble and the “efforts in Android Oreo to make OS upgrades easier”.

You can head to this link to sign up for the Android P Beta. Additionally, you can head to the devices listing page here to select and navigate to the download links based on your device.

However, do note that this is beta software, and hence will include bugs and instability issues. Like always, we suggest that you opt-in only if you know the risks involved and are comfortable using beta software.

Stay tuned to Neowin for more coverage on the announcements made at Google I/O 2018.