In a surprise announcement, Google is makiing the developer preview of the next version of Android available several months before its usual availability. Normally, the developer preview is shown and announced at Google IO and then made available to download the next month. According to Google’s Hiroshi Lockheimer, the early release is to help the OEM’s:
“By releasing the first preview and asking for your feedback now (in March!), we’ll be able to act on that feedback while still being able hand off the final N release to device makers this summer, so they can get their hands on the latest version of Android earlier than ever.”
According to Lockheimer, Android now has some 400 OEMs making devices:
“Fast forward to today, with 400 OEMs, 500 carriers and millions of developers coming together to create experiences for over 1.4 billion Android users around the world.”
Previously, getting the developer preview involved download the system images and then flashing it to the phone. This time the developer preview will be available as an over the air download. Much like the standard updates, you can now install the Android N preview. The process is quite simple, you will need to go to http://g.co/androidbeta and sign up for the ota developer preview.
The Android N preview is only available for the Nexus 6, Nexus Player, Nexus 5X and 6P. If you have any of those devices, sign up and try out the developer preview. Google does warn however that it is “”not intended for daily use or consumer use.”