Technologies

Android 16’s Last Beta is Rolling Out: How to Install Beta 4 on Your Pixel

The latest Android 16 beta build focuses on stability ahead of the official launch in June.

The fourth beta of Android 16 has begun rolling out to supported Pixel smartphones and tablets, and it’ll be the last release for the beta program. Android 16 reached platform stability in its last beta, and this secondary stability release is all about tightening up all the screws before the final release in a few months. We’ll probably hear more about Android 16 next month during Google I/O 2025.

Users installing the latest beta will receive the latest fixes and optimizations first, and will be able to submit feedback via an app installed within the build itself. The Android Developers blog also announced that the latest beta is now available for more devices from its partners, allowing more people to get in on the Android 16 fun.

Below, we’ll cover the updates of the latest beta and how you can install beta on your Pixel device. For more, don’t miss our Pixel 9a review and how to get Android 16’s Live Updates working with Google Maps.

What’s new in Android 16 beta 4?

Given how close we are to the final release of Android 16, we didn’t expect to see any major changes, and that seems to be the case with the latest beta. The blog post doesn’t share specifics on what changes were made, indicating that new features have not been added, though there may be a couple of minor or cosmetic tweaks. If the developer blog adds any specifics to the post, we’ll detail them here.

Install Android 16 on a partner device

While it’s not a feature, Android 16 is now available for even more devices, so Pixels are no longer the only piece of technology to get this release.

Here’s a list of the partners that now support the Android 16 beta on their devices:

HONOR
iQOO
Lenovo
OnePlus
OPPO
realme
vivo
Xiaomi

You can learn how to install Android 16 on supported devices from these partners on the Android 16 devices page.

What Pixel devices can install the Android 16 beta?

In order to install the Android 16 beta 4 (or any of the prior betas), you’ll need a compatible Pixel device. Here’s the full list of supported devices.

Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
Pixel 6A
Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
Pixel 7A
Pixel Fold
Pixel Tablet
Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
Pixel 8A
Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold and 9a

How to install the Android 16 beta 4

Installing the Android beta is easy. Here’s how to do it.

Go to the Android Beta site and log in to your Google account.
Click or tap on «View your eligible devices» or just scroll down to the section.
You should see the devices associated with the Google account you’ve logged in with.
Under the device on which you’d like to install the Android 16 beta, click or tap the «+ Opt in» button.
Agree to the terms of the beta program and click or tap «Confirm and enroll.»

Once your device is enrolled, you can check to see if the update is waiting for you. It typically doesn’t take long.

Go to your Settings menu. Tap System.
Tap Software updates. Tap System update.

From there, the Android 16 beta 4 should start downloading to your device. If it continues to say «Your Pixel is up to date,» give it a few more minutes or try restarting your phone.

For more, check out why Android 16 is being released earlier this year.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Tuesday, March 17

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 17.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s not too tough — only 1-Down puzzled me until I filled in the other responses. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: One drawing X’s and O’s
Answer: COACH

6A clue: Company whose market cap (~$4 trillion) exceeds the G.D.P. of most countries
Answer: APPLE

7A clue: «Chill!»
Answer: RELAX

8A clue: Do some rhythmic tapping
Answer: DRUM

9A clue: Back talk
Answer: SASS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: What’s the deal?
Answer: CARDS

2D clue: «The Phantom of the ___»
Answer: OPERA

3D clue: Excellent grade
Answer: APLUS

4D clue: Sandpipers dig for them in the sand
Answer: CLAMS

5D clue: Evil spell
Answer: HEX

Technologies

Nvidia Is Building a Computer for AI Data Centers in Space

The big challenge is keeping things cool, apparently.

Space may be the next frontier for the AI infrastructure boom, but it will take some work to make that happen, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said during his keynote address Monday at the company’s GTC conference in San Jose, California.

While the company already has chips in satellites, creating a data center in space is an entirely different beast, Huang said. «Obviously, very complicated to do so.»

Nvidia isn’t the only one eyeing orbit for AI factories. Elon Musk has talked often of putting data centers in space, which makes sense considering he recently merged the AI company he owns with the rocket company he owns.

Read more: Nvidia GTC: All the AI and Robotics News From Jensen Huang’s Keynote

Space has some distinct advantages for data centers. For one, there are no zoning boards or neighbors to worry about annoying. You could likely power an orbital data center with solar power.There’s also a ton of room, although the number of satellites is making orbit crowded.

But there’s a big challenge that Nvidia is facing as it designs its Space-1 Vera Rubin module computer. How do you keep chips cool in a vacuum?

«In space, there’s no conduction, there’s no convection, it’s just radiation,» Huang said. «So we have to figure out how to cool these systems out in space.»

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for March 17, #540

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle No. 540 for Tuesday, March 17.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Yes, you saw both DUNKIN and DONUT in today’s Connections: Sports Edition. But, of course, those words weren’t referring to the bakery chain. That would be far too easy. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Hockey division.

Green group hint: Sporting goods.

Blue group hint: Some are birds.

Purple group hint: Sounds like a star hoops player.