Google has launched the fourth and final developer preview of the next version of its mobile operating system, currently code-named Android O.
This latest and last beta update is a “release candidate,” which means if you’ve been holding off on installing the beta until it’s more stable, Android O is now as stable as it’s going to get before it’s released to the public.
“Developer Preview 4 is a release candidate build of Android O that you can use to complete your development and testing in time for the upcoming official release,” Google advises developers in in a blog post.Â
“It includes the final system behaviours, the latest bug fixes and optimisations, and the final APIs (API level 26) already available since Developer Preview 3.”
Developers, along with those on Google’s Android Beta programme won’t find many new features in this release, and instead, it’s all about incremental updates and stability.
Google has some tips for developers, though, and is urging them to make the most of Android O’s new features – such as notification channels and dots, shortcut pinning, picture-in-picture, and adaptive icons – in order to “help you drive engagement with users, offer new interactions, give them more control and security, and improve performance.”
If you have a device that’s enrolled in the Android Beta Program, you’ll receive an update to Developer Preview 4 in the next few days. If you haven’t enrolled your device yet, just visit the Android Beta site to enroll and get the update.
Google has yet to announce a final release date for Android O, or Android 8.0, but it’s expected to launch later this summer.
