Android O Developer Preview Available, Features & How to Install Tutorial

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Google has launched the first Developer Preview of its newest version of Android i.e. Android O. Just like every year, Google is again following the typical alphabetical theme for its name and hence the ‘O’, however, the actual name of the OS version is still unknown and it is going to be quite interesting to see what it would be. Do make a note that this is by no means fit for daily usage and hence it is not really suggested that you install this preview unless you are a developer or unless you have a spare phone to mess around with.

The Android O Developer Preview can be installed on a bunch of devices as of now like the Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Google Pixel C, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and Nexus Player. The download link for the same can be found in the source link given down below. With all those details out of the way, let’s see what comes with this new version of Android and what should we look forward to in the final version of the software. Do make a note that all these features which are listed are a part of the developer preview only and they may or may not make it to the final version of the software.

• Enhanced notifications – The OS now allows more controls over the notifications.
• Picture in Picture (PIP) display – This feature will allow users to watch the video in a small window while using other apps.
• Adaptive icons
• High quality bluetooth Audio codecs.
• Background app limits.

As mentioned earlier, these features are all new and more features might be added in the future as well, hence we suggest you to be on the lookout for the same. If you wish to install this on your compatible Android smartphone, then be sure to follow the procedure given below for the same. However, since this is not really a stable version, we suggest you not to install this version on your daily driver smartphone.

Note – This installation requires your device’s bootloader to be unlocked and you will also need the ADB tools on your computer. If you don’t have both or either of them, be sure to get it done so that you can proceed with the installation.

Installation

• The first step is to make sure that you have the factory image of the developer preview build. You can get the right one for you by visiting this link right here.
• Now if you need to make sure that your device and the computer on which you are trying to install is communicating properly. For this, type in Fastboot devices on CMD and your device should show up in the list. If not, then try other troubleshooting options.
• Now extract the factory image which you downloaded earlier on your computer. Extract the .tgz file once and then again extract the file which you obtained to get the .tar file.
• Once you are done with the extraction, you should have a folder with a bunch of files in it.
• Now simply copy all these files paste them in the platform-tools folder in the Android SDK.
• Now all you have to is simply double click the “Windows Batch File” and after this, you should be a seeing a box that shows some progress on the installation.
• Once the installation is over, your device will automatically reboot into the new OS and you should be seeing the Android O boot animation.
• You can now safely disconnect your device from the computer.

Do make a note that the reboot may take more time than usual since it has to initiate everything and hence we suggest you be patient with the same. With that said, if this method didn’t work out for you, then be sure to drop a comment down below and we will try helping you out with some other method. However, if it did, then be sure to let us know if you are liking what you are seeing with the developer build and also stay tuned to PhoneRadar for more tutorials like this.

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