Add beta programmes.

[RokeJulianLockhart]

Checklist

• I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• I made sure that there are no existing discussions - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• I have read the FAQs inside the app (Menu -> About -> FAQs), in the README and my problem isn't listed.
• I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the bug report may get dismissed otherwise.
• This issue contains only one feature request.
• I optionally donated to support the Fossify mission.

Which apps should have this feature?

All Fossify Apps

Feature description

I'm aware that your FOSSify applications at the Play Store are in Early Access. However, this does not prevent you issuing a beta channel too.

Additionally, builds marked as betas (so that clients know potentially not to install them if the user has not enabled that) can be uploaded to the default F-Droid repository.

Why do you want this feature?

This would provide the ability for users unable to compile for whatever reason to test new builds quicker.

Additional information

Your CI will need to be able to work at the kind of speed necessary for that.

[RokeJulianLockhart]

#119 (comment)

@Aga-C, why the conversion?

[Aga-C]

Because we don't have beta releases currently, so it's rather an idea than a request.

[naveensingh]

I'm aware that your FOSSify applications at the Play Store are in Early Access. However, this does not prevent you issuing a beta channel too.

"Early Access" aka Open testing is the beta channel on the Google Play Store. It shows up as Early Access until there is at least one release on the Production track. Once there is a production release, you'll start seeing the message "You are a beta tester for this app. Future updates will include beta versions." (assuming you join the beta program).

Also, there won't be separate beta releases for other distribution channels because I don't see the need for it yet. Maybe in the future.

[RokeJulianLockhart]

https://github.com/orgs/FossifyOrg/discussions/123#discussioncomment-8738275

@naveensingh, I was a beta tester for https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.copilot&hl=en&gl=US whilst it was in pre-release. It merely appeared as "(Early Access) (Beta)". I admit multiple denominators looked goofy, but both channels existed simultaneously.

[naveensingh]

I have never seen such a channel on Google Play in the last 5 years or so. There are five release tracks (that I'm aware of):

1. Production
2. Open (beta)
3. Closed (alpha, only for registered testers)
4. Internal (only for registered testers)
5. Pre-registration

They might just have been experimenting with the semantics or less likely but maybe there are more tracks that they expose through Google Play Console API.