Android O Developer Preview 4, the final release ahead of its official launch, is now rolling out to developers. The final release of Android O is expected to hit devices sometime next month. The update arrives at a time when the larger tech community is discussing whether the OS will be called Android Oatmeal or Android Oreo.
The Android O Developer Preview 4 build is graded as a release candidate, which means it includes all the final system behaviours including latest bug fixes and software optimisations. The build also includes final developer APIs, helping developers to start their final testing of apps against the upcoming iteration of Android. The build will ensure that developers make their apps compatible with Android O even before it becomes available to general audience next month.
The update is only available for eligible devices and interested users can enrol via Android Beta Program. The update will be rolled out to eligible devices in the form of an over-the-air update in the next few days. Google is also making it the system images available so eligible device users can manually flash the Android O Developer Preview 4. Those flashing their devices won't receive the future update as an OTA update unless you enrol your device via the beta program. The list of eligible devices includes Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel C and Nexus Player.
With Android O, users will get new features like notification channels and dots, shortcut pinning, picture-in-picture model, auto fill to name a few. The update also offers battery enhancement with background execution limits and other changes to vital system behaviours.