Author: Cameron Summerson / Source: howtogeek.com
Android P was officially released in beta at I/O 2018 yesterday, and as expected, it brings a slew of enhancements and new features. Here’s how to get the beta right now, and what you can expect from it.
How to Get it Now
If you’re interested in trying out Android P, and the new features it brings, you can install the beta build right now on a compatible handset.
Unlike past builds that were only available for Pixel (or Nexus) phones, Google has leveraged Project Treble to make the P beta available across 11 different phones—including many from other manufacturers. Here’s the full list:- Google Pixel/XL
- Google Pixel 2/XL
- OnePlus 6
- Essential PH-1
- Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
- Sony Xperia XZ2
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Oppo R15 Pro
- Vivo X21/UD
If you have a compatible phone, just head to the official site and enroll your device in the beta program. Installing the beta won’t factory reset your phone on installation, but keep in mind that it will require a reset if you want to unenroll and go back to the stock operating system.
RELATED: What is Project Treble on Android and Will My Phone Get It?
New Awareness Options Help Monitor Your Phone Usage
Everywhere you go, you see people staring at their phones—sometimes to the point of distraction. Google is looking to help people tame that a bit with a set of features that help you monitor usage and maybe even put your phone down once in a while.
These features are broken down into three key components: Dashboard, App Timer, and Wind Down. Here’s what they do:
- Dashboard: This shows a breakdown of how you use your device, including how much time you’ve used it, which apps you spend the most time in, how many times you unlock it, and how many notifications you get. It should be quite eye opening.
- App Timer: This feature will limit how much you can use an app, keeping you from watching 17 hours of YouTube in one day. That’s a cool idea.
- Wind Down: This one is sort of like Night Light, but instead of just making your phone easier to read at night, it grayscales everything. It also turns on Do Not Disturb mode—which has also been revamped to not only block audible notifications,…
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