Google Releases the Final Beta for Android Q with a Change in Back Gesture

With the official release only a few weeks away, Google has released the last and final beta version – beta 6 for Android Q. 

Contrary to the expectations, there isn’t a ton of newness in this version except for the back gesture. 

Contrary to the expectations, there isn’t a ton of newness in this version except for the back gesture. Even the Android libraries list will stay at the same place at the time of integration and implementation.

Apart from that, the Beta 6 updates are loaded with features, system behaviors and developer APIs which you can find in the final platform. 

Chris Banes, an engineer in the Android App Development Relations team at Google said “The behavior of the exclusion APIs are changing. You can request what you like, but the system will now only honor X amount from the bottom (currently 200dp)”.

These updates together will give developers everything they need to test the applications on Android Q and for building apps with the latest Android Q features. Meanwhile, for users, Beta 6 is showing up with a series of new fixes and optimizations.

Apart from these features, system behaviors, and APIs, the most awaited update is the refinements that are brought to Gesture Navigation in Beta 6, based on the user’s feedback. 

Here is how Google is describing the new back gesture behavior, “We’ve made further refinements to Gesture Navigation in Beta 6 based on user feedback. First, to ensure reliable and consistent operation, there’s a 200dp vertical app exclusion limit for the Back gesture. Second, we’ve added a sensitivity preference setting for the Back gesture”.

Coming to the core functionality of the back gesture, it involves swiping in from the edge of the screen which can interfere with apps requiring horizontal scrolling. Thus, the newly updated apps are supposed to be designed according to the new back gesture. 

At Google I/O 2019, the tech giant announced that it will standardize Android navigation around Google’s Android Q implementation. And third-party devices would need to use Google’s version of gesture navigation as part of Android compatibility.

Here is how to get Android Q Beta 6 on Your Devices-

First, you will have to enroll your Pixel device for updates on the official site of Android Beta too. Once you are done with the enrollment process, you will automatically receive the update on your device.

Furthermore, to start exploring the Android app development side of the version, you will download the official API 29 SDK and tools into the release of Android Studio 3.4. After finishing this, you will only have to follow the instructions to configure your environment along with the need to see the release notes for known issues.

Google has promised to release more information on the official Android Q while encouraging users and developers to share their feedback and requests in their issue tracker. Bookmark this blog to remain updated on all the new Android Q announcements. 

Sitaram Sharma

CTO

CTO at Appventurez, Sitaram manages several tech teams involved in web and Android app development. In doing so, he not only assures that the technical architecture is suitable and within the context of the client’s technology stack but parallelly helps the techies in his team build intellect.