Posted by Dan Galpin – Android Developer Relations
To higher help you and supply earlier, extra constant entry to in-development options, we’re saying a major evolution in our pre-release program. Transferring ahead, the Android platform can have a Canary launch channel, which can substitute the earlier developer preview program. This Canary launch channel will operate alongside the present beta program.
This alteration is designed to offer a extra streamlined and steady alternative so that you can check out new platform capabilities and supply suggestions all through the whole 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 vital 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 had been tied to the following designated Android launch, they had been solely accessible through the earliest a part of the cycle. As soon as a platform model reached the Beta stage, the preview monitor would finish, creating a niche the place options that had been promising however not but prepared for Beta had no official channel for suggestions.
A steady circulation of options with the Canary channel
The brand new Android platform Canary channel addresses these challenges immediately. By flashing your supported Pixel gadget to the Canary launch channel, now you can obtain a steady, rolling stream of the most recent platform builds by way of over-the-air (OTA) updates.
- You may check out and supply enter on new options and deliberate habits adjustments of their earliest levels. These adjustments might not all the time make it right into a secure 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 seemingly 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 sudden issues along with your app, maximizing the time we’ve got to deal with 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 habits adjustments. Builds from the Canary channel can have handed our automated exams in addition to skilled a brief take a look at cycle with inner customers. You must anticipate bugs and breaking adjustments. These bleeding-edge builds won’t be your best option for somebody to make use of as their major or solely gadget.
The prevailing beta channel will stay the first means so that you can guarantee that your apps are each suitable with and benefit from upcoming platform options.
Getting began and offering suggestions
You should utilize the Android Flash Software to get the latest Canary construct onto your supported Pixel gadget. As soon as flashed, you must anticipate OTA updates for the most recent Canary builds as they grow to be accessible. To exit the channel, flash a Beta or Public construct to your gadget. This can require a knowledge partition wipe.
Canary releases will likely be accessible on the Android Emulator by means of the Gadget Supervisor in Android Studio (presently, simply within the Android Studio Canary channel), and Canary SDKs will likely be accessible so that you can develop towards by means of the SDK Supervisor.
Since most habits adjustments require concentrating on a launch, you’ll be able to goal Canary releases the way in which you’ll be able to goal every other platform SDK model, or use the Compatibility Framework with supported options to allow habits adjustments in your apps.
Suggestions is a vital element of this new program, so please file characteristic suggestions and bug experiences in your Canary expertise by means of the Google Concern Tracker.
By transitioning to a real Canary channel, we intention to create a extra clear, collaborative, and environment friendly improvement course of, supplying you with the seamless entry you have to put together for the way forward for Android.