TOKYO: SONY says that some Xperia smartphone owners can now flash the Android M Developer Preview onto their device.
Google made the Android M Developer Preview available to users of its Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 smartphones earlier this month, and Sony has now followed suit, making the software available on 12 Xperia devices through its Open Device programme.
These are the Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia E3, Xperia M2, Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia T3.
It has yet to be confirmed for the latest Xperia Z3+, which will be available in the UK later this week.
Sony said in a blog post: “The recently released Android M Developer Preview gives developers the necessary tools to prepare for the full Android M release. Discover the changes, then test and verify your apps on the new platform.”
The firm is quick to warn that this release is for development purposes only, advising downloaders that they will have to compile their own ROM, and that it still has a lot of missing parts, most notably the camera and modem.
“It’s important to note that the AOSP software is not certified or intended for regular use,” Sony said. “It’s only available for devices with an unlocked boot loader and comes with some limitations. For example, the modem and the camera are not implemented.”
