Google released the latest Android Q Beta 4 build during its I/O 2019 Developers conference. The latest beta seems rather close to the final build with standard API level (29) as well as official SDK for developers. Now, this essentially allows app developers to start final compatibility testing and add new features.
After this build, Google plans to release two more builds before Android Q’s public launch in Q3 2019. System images for Android Q Beta 4 are available for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL. Besides, the latest beta is also available for the new Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. Users can also install the build as an OTA by manual download or via the Android Beta program.
Here’s everything new in Android Q beta 4:
Dark theme changes in Pixel launcher notifications
In Android Q beta 4, some minor tweaks arrive in the Pixel launcher that makes notifications shades more legible. Notifications also get more colors in the dark mode in the latest beta. Besides, the device search bar at the bottom of the screen turns gray when the dark theme is activated. All in all, they are minor chnages but greatly enhnace overall legibility by visually separating stream of alerts while using dark mode in Andoird Q.
Notification tweaks
Unlike ealier Android Q betas, the latest build brings the ability to swipe notifications away in any direction by default. Put simply, users can swipe notifications either way to dismiss, just like they would in Android Pie. Elsewhere, notification types have changed from ‘Interruptive and Gentle’ to ‘Prioritized and Gentle’ in the latest beta. Besides, the layout and icons of the notifications controls also get minor tweaks, with new subtle icons.
4 new accent colors
Google has also added 4 new colors to choose from in Android Q Beta 4. To begin with, we have Cinnamon which appers to be a mix brown and red. Next, we have Ocean which appears to be a mix of blue and green shades. Then, we have the Space color theme which happens to be a dark, subtler shade of blue. Finally, there’s Orchid which which is lighter shade if purple.
Relocated lock icon and a tweaked lock screen
Another minor change in Android Q Beta 4 is a tweak on the lock screen. Google has relocated the lock icon on the lock screen from the bottm to the top, above the time and weather. It’s interesting to note that this new lock screen layout looks rather similar to the latest iOS home screen layout, especially when gesture navigations are activated.
Gesture navigation improvements
Full gesture navigation controls now gets a black arrow which makes it much easier to see. It appears when you swipe in from the left or the right. The arrow now turns black in a light background and changes to white in darker backgrounds.
