Google has made the first Android 8.1 developer preview release available to testers with compatible devices. The firm expects to ship this release in December.

There’s very little information about this release on the Android 8.1 Developer Preview website. For now, it appears to be mostly about how one might get the developer preview.

For starters, you need a compatible device. These include the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL. (Note that Google Player is no longer offered.)

Then you can choose the method of acquiring the release. You can download a system image, unlock your bootloader, and then flash it. Or you can wait for the over-the-air (OTA) release, which could happen at any time.

For Android 8.0, I went with the former approach for the first developer preview. But that is difficult and, frankly, a bit scary. And since my Pixel XL is currently my actual day-to-day handset, I think I’ll hold off until the OTA update is available. My phone is already enrolled in the program.

I’m curious to see what’s new too, of course. But there’s no info yet that I can see.

Tagged with Android O