Published , by Charles Singletary Jr
Published , by Charles Singletary Jr
Those still holding on to one of Google's older flagship smartphones will be glad to know that support is being extended for a little bit. The original Google Pixel and Pixel XL will be receiving the beta release of Android Q, possibly getting the full version when it goes live.
The Android Q beta started today and, as The Verge reports, Google surprised many with the reveal the original Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones will be a part of the testing phase. The phones released in 2016 and including them in this update phase, three years later, is well beyond what consumers can typically expect when purchasing their devices. In the Android developer blog, the team states the decision was made due to popular demand.
Regarding Android Q, there are a plethora of changes coming in the major update. Users will be able to select between high performance and low latency Wi-Fi modes, there are new audio and video codecs that will allow providers to stream high-quality content using less bandwidth, and more. It's a beta phase, though, so some of the new features and fixes could be different by the time the full version launches. Google will likely be monitoring how well the update works with original Pixel and Pixel XL devices as well, considering the vast difference between those and the newer Pixel devices. Google has already pledged to support the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 for three years.
If you'd like to enroll in the Android Q beta, you can do so right now on the official beta webpage. Whether you have a Pixel 3, the Pixel XL, or anything in between, you can dive in and get a close look at the next big update for the Android platform. Stay tuned to Shacknews for additional gaming and tech updates.