docs/html/preview/overview.jd

page.title=Program Overview
page.metaDescription=Welcome to the Android M Developer Preview, a program that gives you everything you need to test and optimize your apps for the next version of Android.
page.image=images/cards/card-n-overview_2x.png
meta.tags="preview", "developer", "android"
page.tags="preview", "developer", "android"

@jd:body

<p>
  Welcome to the <strong>Android N Developer Preview</strong>, a program that gives you
  everything you need to test and optimize your apps for the next version of
  Android. It's free, and you can get started right away just by downloading
  the Preview tools.
</p>

<div style="background-color:#eceff1;padding:1em;">
<div class="wrap">
  <div class="cols">
    <div class="col-4of12">
      <h5>
        Hardware and emulator system images
      </h5>

      <p>
        Run and test your apps on Nexus 5X, 6P, 9, and Player (for TV), as well
        as emulator.
      </p>
    </div>

    <div class="col-4of12">
      <h5>
        Latest platform code
      </h5>

      <p>
        We’ll provide multiple updates during the Preview, so you’ll be testing
        against the latest platform changes.
      </p>
    </div>

    <div class="col-4of12">
      <h5>
        Updates delivered by OTA
      </h5>

      <p>
        You can get updates over-the-air, once you’ve flashed a
        device to the initial preview.
      </p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="cols">


    <div class="col-4of12">
      <h5>
        New behaviors and capabilities
      </h5>

      <p>
        Start work early to support new platform behaviors such as
        the new runtime permissions model and power-saving features.
      </p>
    </div>

    <div class="col-4of12">
      <h5>
        Priority window for developer-reported issues
      </h5>

      <p>
        During the first several weeks we’ll give priority to developer-reported
        issues, so test and give feedback as soon as possible.
      </p>
    </div>

    <div class="col-4of12">
      <h5>
        Feedback and support
      </h5>

      <p>
        Report issues and give us feedback using our <a href=
        "https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/">issue tracker</a>.
        Connect with other developers in the <strong>Developer Community</strong>.

      </p>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
</div>

<!--
<p>
  With the Preview, you'll get an early start on testing your apps,
  with enough time to make adjustments before the public platform release later
  in the year. We'll provide several updates to the Preview tools in the weeks
  ahead, so you can keep in sync with the latest changes as the platform moves
  toward launch.
</p>

<p>
  You can help us improve the platform by <a href=
  "https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/">reporting issues</a>
  through our feedback channels. This is especially
  critical in the first month of the preview, when we’ll be giving priority to
  developer-reported issues and feedback.
</p> -->


<h2 id="timeline">
  Timeline and updates
</h2>
<p>
  The Preview runs from March 9 until the final Android N public release planned for Q3
  2016.
</p>

<p>
  As you test and develop on Android N, we strongly recommend <strong>keeping
  your development environment up-to-date</strong> as Preview updates are released.
  To make the process easier, we'll deliver <strong>updates over-the-air
  (OTA)</strong> to devices already flashed to a Preview build, as well as
  providing system images that you can download and flash manually.
</p>

<p>
  We’ll notify you when Preview updates are available via the <a href=
  "http://android-developers.blogspot.com/">Android Developers Blog</a>, as
  well as this site and the <strong>Android N Developer Community</strong>.
</p>

<h2 id="preview_tools">
  What’s in the Preview?
</h2>

<p>
  The Preview includes everything you need to test your existing
  apps on a variety of screen sizes, network technologies, CPU/GPU chipsets,
  and hardware architectures.
</p>

<h4>
  SDK tools
</h4>

<p>
  You can download these components through the SDK Manager in <a href=
  "{@docRoot}sdk/installing/adding-packages.html">Android Studio</a>:
</p>

<ul>
  <li><strong>Official Preview SDK and tools</strong>
  </li>

  <li>N Preview <strong>emulator system image</strong> (32-bit &amp;
  64-bit)
  </li>

  <li>N Preview <strong>emulator system Image for Android TV</strong>
  (32-bit)
  </li>
</ul>

<h4>
  Hardware system images
</h4>

<p>
  You can download these hardware system images for Nexus devices from the
  <a href="download.html">Downloads page</a>:
</p>

<ul>
  <li>
    <strong>Nexus 5X</strong> (GSM/LTE) "bullhead" device system image
  </li>

  <li>
    <strong>Nexus 6P</strong> (GSM/LTE) “angler” device system image
  </li>

  <li>
    <strong>Nexus 9</strong> (Wi-Fi) “volantis” device system image
  </li>

  <li>
    <strong>Nexus Player</strong> (Android TV) “fugu” device system image
  </li>
</ul>

<h4>
  Documentation and sample code
</h4>

<p>
  These documentation resources help you learn about the Preview:
</p>

<ul>
  <li>
    <a href="setup-sdk.html">Set Up the SDK</a> has step-by-step instructions
    for getting started.
  </li>

  <li>
    <a href="{@docRoot}preview/testing/guide.html">Testing Guide</a> and <a href=
    "behavior-changes.html">Behavior Changes</a> point you to key areas to test.
  </li>

  <li>Documentation of new APIs, including an <a href="api-overview.html">API Overview</a>,
  downloadable <a href="{@docRoot}preview/download.html#docs">API Reference</a>, and detailed developer guides on
  key features such as
  <a href="{@docRoot}preview/features/runtime-permissions.html">permissions</a>,
  <a href="{@docRoot}preview/backup/index.html">app backup</a>, and others.
  </li>

  <li>
    <a href="{@docRoot}preview/samples.html">Sample code</a> that demonstrates how to support
    permissions and other new features.
  </li>

  <li>
    <a href="{@docRoot}preview/support.html#release-notes">Release notes</a> for the current version
    of the Preview, including change notes and diff reports.
  </li>
</ul>

<h4>
  Support resources
</h4>

<p>
  Use these support resources as you test and develop on the Preview:
</p>

<ul>
  <li><a href="https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/">Preview Issue Tracker</a>
  is your <strong>primary feedback
  channel.</strong> You can report bugs, performance issues, and general
  feedback through the issue tracker. You can also check for <a
  href="https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/wiki/KnownIssues">known issues</a>
  and find workaround steps.
  </li>

  <li><strong>Android N Developer Community</strong> is a Google+ community where you can
  <strong>connect with other developers</strong> working with Android M. You can share
  observations or ideas or find answers to questions about Android M.
  </li>
</ul>


<h2 id="get_started">
  How to get started
</h2>

<p>
  To get started testing your app with the Preview:
</p>

<ol>
  <li>Review the <a href="{@docRoot}preview/api-overview.html">API Overview</a>
    and <a href="{@docRoot}preview/behavior-changes.html">Behavior Changes</a> to get an
    idea of what's new and how it affects your apps. In particular, learn about
    the new <a href="{@docRoot}preview/features/runtime-permissions.html">runtime
    permissions</a> model, power-saving features, and auto backup.
  </li>

  <li>Set up your environment by following the instructions for
    <a href="{@docRoot}preview/setup-sdk.html">Setting up the Preview SDK</a>
    and configuring test devices.
  </li>

  <li>Follow the <a href="https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images">
    flashing instructions</a> to flash the latest M developer preview system image
    for Nexus 5, 6, 9, and Player. Once you've flashed your development device,
    Preview updates will be delivered through over-the-air (OTA) updates.</a>
  </li>

  <li>Review the <a href="{@docRoot}reference/packages.html">API
  Reference</a> and <a href="{@docRoot}preview/samples.html">N Preview
  samples</a> to gain more insight into new API features and how to use them in
  your app.
  </li>

  <li>Join the <strong>Android M
  Developer Community</strong> to get the latest news and connect with other
  developers working with the new platform.
  </li>
</ol>

<p>
  Thank you for your participation in the Android N Developer Preview program!
</p>