Google has yet to set a specific date for the full release of the much anticipated Android M platform. However, it seems that most super users with Nexus devices can check out the latest operating system through a developer preview build.
According to reports, Google has made available the preview build for the upcoming Android M on several Nexus devices, specifically the Nexus 5 and 6 smartphones and the Nexus 9 tablet. It has also been reported that the Nexus Player set-top box is included as well.
It is unclear if the other Nexus devices will also have the preview release of Android M. Many observers note that with the two versions of Nexus 7, the Nexus 4, and the Nexus 10 all upgraded to the latest Android Lollipop 5.1 update, Google may also include these devices as vehicles for the preview build, and ultimately the final consumer version. However, these devices already belong to the early generations of the Nexus family and may not fully utilize the upcoming operating system. In this regard, Google may simply drop update support for any or all of the older Nexus devices.
Since the available Android M version only constitutes a preview build, Nexus owners, particularly super users, may be able to download and install the Android M images on their Nexus devices via flashing. However, a catch has been posted on the Android developer site – the preview system images are not stable releases and may contain errors which can brick devices, rendering them unusable.
As with flashing any device, Google instructs owners to first back up data and apps before attempting to flash in order to get a higher chance of recovery should rooting fail. In addition, the company said that rooting the device will void the manufacturer warranty, and that the bootloader for the device should be kept unlocked before rooting.
