The Android 11 Beta Program isn't launching until June

[zanderthunder]

 

The first Android 11 developer preview arrived in mid-February, and Google laid out a pretty straightforward timeline for what the preview program would look like. So far, everything has gone to plan, with developer previews being introduced every month. This month was supposed to see the release of the first actual beta, which users can install on their Pixel phones via the Android Beta Program.

 

It would seem that it's delayed though, since Google today published a video announcing the Android 11 Beta Launch Show, which will take place on June 3 at 11am Eastern Time.

 

 

To be fair, a lot has changed since the first developer preview was released. The goal was almost certainly to release the first beta at Google's I/O 2020 developer conference, but that event has been canceled thanks to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. This also means that the Pixel 4a might be released a bit later too, since Google has a bit more freedom to work with its schedule.

 

On the Android Developer website, the program overview remains the same, promising Beta 1 in May, Beta 2 in June, Beta 3 in Q3, and the final release in Q3. This will all likely be adjusted at some point.

 

Source: The Android 11 Beta Program isn't launching until June (via Neowin)

[Karlston]

Google releases Android 11 Developer Preview 4, changes release schedule

 

Google is releasing Android 11 Developer Preview 4 today, despite the fact that it wasn't planned for on the original program overview. But as we learned earlier today, things are being delayed thanks to Google employees having to work from home. The first beta was originally supposed to be coming in May, but that's slated for June 3 now.

 

Essentially, the whole program has been pushed back by a month. With the first beta coming in June, Beta 2 will arrive in July, and the final release will still be in Q3. That means that now only will Pixel devices get updated before the end of September, but OEMs will be able to produce Android 11 devices before the end of the year.

 

As for what's new in Developer Preview 4, which is actually the sixth one that Google has released, there isn't much. Google says that this build is for testing and feedback, although there are several fixes that you can find out about on the release notes page.

 

If you're already on the Android 11 Developer Preview, you'll get this update as an OTA. If you're not, you can flash it to your Pixel phone. Beginning with the first beta on June 3, you'll be able to enroll a device in the Android Beta Program and get an easy OTA update.

 

 

Source: Google releases Android 11 Developer Preview 4, changes release schedule (Neowin)