Posted by Dan Galpin – Android Developer Relations
To raised help you and supply earlier, extra constant entry to in-development options, we’re asserting a major evolution in our pre-release program. Transferring ahead, the Android platform could have a Canary launch channel, which is able to substitute the earlier developer preview program. This Canary launch channel will operate alongside the present beta program.
This variation is designed to supply a extra streamlined and steady alternative so that you can check out new platform capabilities and supply suggestions all through your complete 12 months, not simply within the early months of a brand new launch cycle.
Limitations of the earlier developer preview mannequin
The Developer Preview program has been a essential a part of our launch cycle, however its construction had inherent limitations:
- Developer Previews weren’t tied to a launch channel, and needed to be manually flashed to gadgets each time the cycle would restart.
- As a result of previews have been tied to the following designated Android launch, they have been solely obtainable in the course of the earliest a part of the cycle. As soon as a platform model reached the Beta stage, the preview observe would finish, creating a niche the place options that have been promising however not but prepared for Beta had no official channel for suggestions.
A steady circulate of options with the Canary channel
The brand new Android platform Canary channel addresses these challenges straight. By flashing your supported Pixel system to the Canary launch channel, now you can obtain a steady, rolling stream of the newest platform builds by way of over-the-air (OTA) updates.
- You possibly can check out and supply enter on new options and deliberate conduct adjustments of their earliest phases. These adjustments might not all the time make it right into a steady Android launch.
- The Canary launch channel will run in parallel with the beta program. The beta program stays the way in which so that you can attempt a extra polished set of doubtless soon-to-be-released options.
- You should utilize the Canary builds along with your CI to see if any of our in-development options trigger surprising issues along with your app, maximizing the time we’ve got to handle your issues.
Who ought to use the Canary channel?
The Canary channel is meant for builders that wish to discover and take a look at with the earliest pre-release Android APIs and potential conduct adjustments. Builds from the Canary channel could have handed our automated assessments in addition to skilled a brief take a look at cycle with inside customers. It is best to anticipate bugs and breaking adjustments. These bleeding-edge builds is not going to be the only option for somebody to make use of as their main or solely system.
The prevailing beta channel will stay the first method so that you can make it possible for your apps are each appropriate with and benefit from upcoming platform options.
Getting began and offering suggestions
You should utilize the Android Flash Instrument to get the newest Canary construct onto your supported Pixel system. As soon as flashed, it is best to anticipate OTA updates for the newest Canary builds as they grow to be obtainable. To exit the channel, flash a Beta or Public construct to your system. This may require an information partition wipe.
Canary releases might be obtainable on the Android Emulator via the System Supervisor in Android Studio (presently, simply within the Android Studio Canary channel), and Canary SDKs might be obtainable so that you can develop towards via the SDK Supervisor.
Since most conduct adjustments require concentrating on a launch, you’ll be able to goal Canary releases the way in which you’ll be able to goal another platform SDK model, or use the Compatibility Framework with supported options to allow conduct adjustments in your apps.
Suggestions is a essential element of this new program, so please file function suggestions and bug experiences in your Canary expertise via the Google Difficulty Tracker.
By transitioning to a real Canary channel, we intention to create a extra clear, collaborative, and environment friendly growth course of, providing you with the seamless entry it is advisable put together for the way forward for Android.