Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
TL; DR
- Android CEO Dave Burke says Android 12’s beta program is so popular that it is breaking records.
- Burke says the beta is “the most downloaded / installed beta of all time.”
- The new look and customization features are probably the main reasons for the excitement.
Google has long offered beta programs for the latest versions of Android. With the introduction of Pixel phones in 2016, the company now even has a dedicated suite of testing hardware with willing users around the world ready to test things for free.
Interestingly, nothing in the history of any of these Android beta releases can be compared to the current version of the Android 12 beta. According to Android VP of Engineering Dave Burke, this is “by far” the most popular beta to date.
Burke announced the news on Twitter yesterday after the start of the second beta for Android 12.
The Android 12 beta is by far our most downloaded / installed beta of all time. Speaking of Beta 2 is available today: https://t.co/VR8CtXKWkZ
– Dave Burke (@davey_burke) June 9, 2021
Unfortunately, Burke did not provide any numbers to support this claim. Hence, it is difficult to say how important this milestone is.
Connected: Android 12 Release Date: When Can You Expect It To Launch?
However, it can’t be a coincidence that the Android 12 beta includes the most significant design changes for Android in years. The two previous versions of Android were pretty much identical in design. You’d have to go back three or even four years before you would find a version of Android that is drastically different from Android 11’s. So it’s no wonder people are so excited about the new look of Android 12.
Would you like to try the Android 12 beta? Follow our guide to make it a reality.