The majority of Android users will probably know this, but Android is in fact created by Google. The Internet giant develops each version of Android, open sources it for all to download create whichever devices they want using the code, and this is how we end up with so many different devices. Even so, a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and an LG G4 rely on Google services just as much as a Nexus 5X would, for example. The Play Store itself, the place where we all download our apps, games and content is owned and ran by Google. Then, there’s the Google app itself. This is the app that gives you the Google Now Launcher, as well as Google Now in the first place. Whenever new features hit Google Now, they do so through the Google app.
Now, Google is offering up an official way for people to test upcoming versions of the Google app, using the Play Store’s beta testing option. It’s perhaps a little surprising that this sort of thing hasn’t happened before, as Google have been offering up Beta and Dev versions of their Chrome browser on Android for some time now. As Android Police is reporting, those interested in joining the party so to speak, can do so manually. We’ve listed that link in the source down below, but right now there’s not much happening as the beta version is apparently v5.4, a small bump from v5.3 with no new features to write home about.
As new Nexus devices have gone on sale in earnest this week, with reviews – including our own – hitting the web today as well it’s unsurprising that there’s a little more activity going on right now. Whether or not the Beta test from the Play Store will include big new features is unclear, but it’s liking this is going to be purely for testing purposes, rather than massive changes. Still, the more that Google does out in the open like this, the better for everyone. Like we said, those interested can enrol in the beta pain-free using the link below.