This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
Android 10 Arrives for the Privileged Few ¶
On September 4, 2019, Google's latest version of Android, Android 10, began rolling out, marking a significant milestone in the history of the mobile operating system.
Initially, the new software is available for download and installation on Pixel smartphones and the Essential phone, which has been the first non-Pixel device to receive the latest version of Android for the third year in a row.
Android 10's release marks a departure from the traditional practice of assigning an American-centred dessert codename to each new version, a practice that has largely ended.
The new version of Android focuses on three key themes: the advancement of new technologies like 5G and support for new devices like foldables, a renewed focus on security and privacy, and a continued emphasis on users' digital wellbeing.
Android 10 brings several new features, including a system-wide Dark Mode, smart replies in the notification drop-down, full gestures, new audio and video codecs, and improved peer-to-peer and internet connectivity.
26 different devices were involved in the Android 10 beta testing exercise, which saw over 200,000 users register to test the new version and help weed out bugs.
While the update is initially available for Pixel smartphones and the Essential phone, it is unclear when it will be made available to other devices that participated in the beta testing exercise.
