All you need to know about the beta apps in Android – Hypertext

One of the functions within the ecosystem Android most underrated and unknown to the vast majority of users your application program in state beta , that is, applications which having one or more features that are in a state of development and are not yet 100% stable. Therefore, and to shed some light on this post will explain everything you need to understand this part of Android, from how to join a program of an application in beta, explain the possible risks and benefits of joining, and the best communities with these programs.

How I can use an application in beta?

Although some as the proper Google and independent developers directly up version beta or development status as a standalone application, the most widely used is also the unknown . And if you want to join a program of an application in beta, practically have to look for a purpose: in no time you are offered the option unless you follow the developer on Twitter or Google+ and, in my opinion, the process is a little long and you have to visit several links to get approval.

Within the community, usually the link to join the beta testing program It will be visible for first-time users in the community. Here capture full size.

Although the process may vary slightly depending on the community, usually usually the same. To illustrate our case we use the Phoenix, and the first thing you have to do is to seek enforcement community are looking for in beta Google + and look for the program to be beta tester , usually located in a top post in view of all users. If so, as in the case of Phoenix with which illustrate the process, you must access the link of beta testing and apply to be one of the testers . This acceptance can be immediate or may take several hours or even days, as in the case of Slack.

Once inside, acceptance is simple and immediate. But the process to get there may be too hidden.

Once accepted, all you have left is hope , since the new download link beta in the Play Store may take several hours to appear. Finally, once you get the notification to “upgrade” the application, you’re done: and you will be one of the new beta testers for your application and be the first to enjoy the new features that will introduce the developer to see if it has accepted or not within their community. Obviously, to avoid negative scores on the good work of dev , while you’re using a beta version of a given application you can not score or reviews on their section of the Play Store ., which makes sense and which avoids many discussions between users and developers

To unsubscribe as beta tester, is as simple as joining.

If for any reason you want to unsubscribe as beta tester and no more updates, you just have to do the reverse process : access to the area of ​​ beta testing within the community on Google+ and request removal. Although low itself is immediate, the beta version of the application can take a few hours to be replaced by stable same version, so do not despair if you keep using the version you do not. As you can see, a somewhat cumbersome process, but with a possible reason behind it: to prevent inexperienced users on Android come together by accident, so that only join those who truly understand

Is it dangerous?

The first thing to do is define the term hazard. If you mean that if there is any risk of exploit in beta applications, not have to worry . Think about it: applications, beta or not, go through Google Play Store , which has several layers of security, so that the risk of a security hole or the developer to take your application to obtain information from your smartphone or tablet Android is virtually nil . This lack of risk is, as I said, only through the Play Store, so beware accept applications that are not there.

Disclaimer: this is what will NOT happen to your smartphone when you join any program beta testing. Source: Romolo Tavani – Shutterstock

But if you mean that if there is a risk that your smartphone or tablet is left on a bootloop infinity or do stop working, it is undeniable that the risk is there . We talked about features in development and are not stable in all devices under all circumstances, and in fact this risk is present not only in software debugging in the Android ecosystem, but also on other platforms.

However, my personal experience has never happened to me. In fact, the only time I had problems was with a beta of Nova Launcher who kept closed so forced and whose developer did not take more than an hour to fix. Beyond this single incident, the experience can vary depending on the user or the beta you download, but probably the result is the same: not run much risk when you download an ordinary application .

What are the best communities in beta apps?

When it comes to find an app in Android with a program of beta testing is like go looking for the beach with a metal detector: most of the time will not find anything , and the few times you find something is something that does not serve you at all. There are numerous applications and programs, but the vast majority are no applications were using in your daily life or that directly are abandoned by their developers, although there are some interesting other community.

Currently, these are all communities that I adhered to enjoy beta versions. Here capture full size.

Therefore, and as you can see in the picture above, I am a member of several communities and to prevent go looking one by one, I will say that I consider most valuable and active , apart from the example we have been using:

• Nova Launcher : That for me is the best launcher in the Play Store has more community members and most active of all. Joining is practically forced, as you enjoy improvements that take weeks to reach other users

• Pushbullet . Another application Mandatory on my smartphone and whose community is providing virtually all day feedback and suggestions for further development. Not only recommend joining, but be aware of the community within Google+. You can learn a thing or two about running Pushbullet

• Power Nap for Xposed : A surprisingly large despite its state of Alpha community. Basically it is an extremely advanced application to control the consumption of battery in our smartphone. Despite its complexity, I recommend it to anyone who is wondering what you can do to improve their autonomy.

• Slack for Android : Despite its relative youth, the fact is that Slack is doing a fantastic job in keeping its beta to date with the latest changes in Android. If you have a computer and you are using Slack, join the beta because you enjoy several improvements that usually take a while to get to the stable release.

• Medium : Although it took to arrive, finally we have from late June Medium Android. Of course, that was for the “normal” users as those who could join the beta we have seen how it has evolved. While it is not the most vibrant and active community of all, it is interesting to see the development come together so fast that is living Medium.