Google has begun the rollout of Android 14 Beta 5 for Pixel devices. The company had previously hinted at the imminent release of Android 14 Beta 4, suggesting that the stable version would follow shortly. They had even shared an image outlining the release timeline, which they consistently update with each new beta iteration. However, contrary to expectations, Google has introduced Android 14 Beta 5 instead of the anticipated final version.
In an official blog post, Google stated, “As we approach the official launch of Android 14 in a matter of weeks, we are introducing Beta 5, the final planned update within our Android 14 beta program. This serves as the last opportunity to ensure your apps are prepared and gather feedback before Android 14 becomes available to non-beta users. In addition to the rest of the supported Pixel devices and the Android emulator, Beta 5 is now accessible for Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold, allowing you to test your applications across various device types.”
Unfortunately, Google’s recent actions have raised questions. They now deny having implied an imminent release in the previous month. Moreover, the timeline image has been edited in a somewhat unrefined manner. Upon closer examination, an abrupt dark blue line is discernible just prior to the newly added “Aug” slot, suggesting a hastily made adjustment.
It’s perplexing why Google didn’t simply acknowledge that they needed more time than initially anticipated to finalize the Android 14 update. Such a delay would likely have been understood by users. However, their decision to disavow previous implications and make hurried alterations to images in a somewhat amateurish manner is leaving us curious about the actual circumstances.
Moving on, Android 14 Beta 5 arrives with a plethora of bug fixes—several dozen, to be precise. While the complete list can be found at the linked source, we won’t enumerate them all here.
If you have a qualifying Pixel device (Pixel 4a 5G or newer) enrolled in the Android Beta program, the update will be delivered to you via an over-the-air update. If not, you can enroll your device by following the provided link. Once enrolled, the Beta 5 update will be delivered to your device over-the-air.
As for the anticipated release of the final version, uncertainty lingers. Will it emerge later this month or perhaps not until September? Only time will unveil the answer.
Regarding the expected launch date of the official version, ambiguity persists. Will it come to fruition later this month or might it be deferred until September? The response remains elusive, necessitating patience as we await further developments.
Release Details for Android 14 Beta 5:
- Release Date: August 10, 2023
- Build: UPB5.230623.003
- Emulator Support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A)
- Security Patch Level: August 2023
- Google Play Services: 23.18.18
