A Sony Experia Z3 Compact Smartphone Is Pictured At The IFA Consumer Technology Fair In Berlin
A Sony Experia Z3 Compact smartphone is pictured at the IFA consumer technology fair in Berlin, September 5, 2014. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch

Sony Mobile collaborated with Three Sweden and launched a testing programme for Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact powered by Android 5.0 Lollipop. Know the requirements and how the testing programme works for eligible Three Sweden subscribers.

Sony Mobile And Three Sweden Launches 3Beta For Android 5.0 Lollipop

Xberia Blog spotted a report by Swedroid stating Sony Mobile and Three Sweden launched the 3Beta programme to encourage customers to test an early release of Android 5.0 Lollipop firmware on Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact smartphones. Selected customers will use Android 5.0-powered Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact smartphones and report their experiences via a dedicated app. Any encountered bugs, issues and problems are required to be reported together with feedback on areas of improvement.

Requirements For 3Beta

3Beta is now looking for a selected number of users to utilise Android 5.0-powered Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact and act as software testers. The main requirement of the "tester" is familiarity over Android OS and Xperia devices plus interest in new technologies. Testers will use the test phone as a daily device within the test period, report all bugs and send feedback on potential areas of improvement.

Since the programme was launched via Three Sweden, an applicant must be a subscriber and be able to go to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö along with representatives from the network carrier and Sony Mobile to review tests. However, customers with 3Kontant are not eligible to join 3Beta.

How Does 3Beta Works?

An applicant must fill up a form at the official website of 3Beta to express interest in the programme. Anyone who registers will receive an email notification containing the necessary information on how the selection process works, and it is only limited to a number of customers. Application for 3Beta lasts until Nov. 16, 2014 only.

Sony Mobile Android 5.0 Lollipop Upgrade Plans

Sony Mobile already confirmed the Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade plan starting on early 2015. It includes all models under the Xperia Z series such as the Xperia Z3 devices, Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z1 models and the older Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z. However, Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition variant will be the first to receive the official Android 5.0 update. The company commits that the major software update for Xperia Z series will have new Sony features and functionality and improvements to enhance user experience.