What are beta channels? Does this mean I can play the beta 2.5 in the the Baldur's Gate EE that I just bought? Do I have to buy the game again to get the updated 2.5 edition completed?

http://blog.beamdog.com/2017/12/the-25-update-beta-is-here.html

Are you asking about Galaxy or Steam? I'm not using Galaxy, but I've never heard about "beta channels".

Just like i_hope_you_rot already pointed. Beta channels are available for some games in Galaxy usually for a limited time (depends on game updates). In the case of Baldur's Gate beta tests has ended.

The link said "with the possibility of an extension beyond Jan. 8, 2018".

So does the "Beta Channel" I switched from OFF to ON mean I am playing the Beta version?

My version is 2.3.67.3 (B) which I just bought today do I get a full upgrade to 2.5 when it is finally done?

What does the (B) mean if I don't have access to the Beta 2.5?

I don't have EE on my shelf therefore can't be 100% sure : )
If you have switched beta channel on, it is possible you're still having access to beta release.

I'm quite sure you will get an upgrade to the 2.5 version without spending any additional money though.

edit:
Under More button - > Settings you should see all currently available versions for you. B doesn't have to mean beta, can be just one of the builds. The same way (A) does not mean an alpha build : )

Simply turning beta channels on will not put you into a beta, if a beta is available. To select a beta build, you have to do the following:

1. Go the the installed game.
2. Click MORE -> Settings.
3. Turn Beta Channels -> ON.
4. Under the channel drop down menu, select beta (or whatever the beta update is called). Default is the default channel or main channel, this is the channel for released (non beta) updates.
5. If the beta is non public (ie the beta has a password), select add private channel and enter said password. Most beta's will be public.

I don't own EE so I can't check if a beta is avilable, but you should see it listed under the channel drop down menu under default if there is one. Beta channels are a Galaxy feature, and as it sounds... they are simply unreleased beta builds that you can opt into to test buggy features or content before official release.

Thanks for the explanation. I had no idea there was such a feature in Galaxy.

So beta channels has nothing to do with 2.5 Beta update?

I don't think Beta Channels are Game betas. I think it is a beta for the operations of the Galaxy installer and program running features.

That is a completely different case. To opt-in to Galaxy beta channel you have to go to Galaxy settings.

No as mike stated that a different setting. The beta channels found under settings for any particular game are for game beta updates. For instance, here is a pic for the Kingdom & Castles beta:

https://i.imgur.com/6LQGYfj.png

So are you sayiing the "Beta Channels" for Baldur's Gate EE is allowing us to play the 2.5 Beta Update now and the "Public Beta" has to do with working on newer versions of Galaxy?

Under Change log it shows hundreds of updates for this 2.5 beta, so it would seem reasonable to me to give us the 2.5 Beta if they are tracking all the fixes for the past six months.

If I am actually playing the Beta 2.5 where does it confirm that? It just says YES or NO as an option. It doesn't actually confirm anywhere I am playing the 2.5 Update.

If you see the 2.5 version number under INSTALLED, it should say 2.5.x (x being the exact number of the patch), then you should be on 2.5. If all you see under beta channels drop down menu is default then there is no beta availabe.

On Jun 7 they said the update was coming to Android, with Steam, GOG and the Beamdog client following in a few weeks. So expect the update offically probably next week or the week after.

http://blog.beamdog.com/2018/06/siege-of-dragonspear-25-update.html

You will not have to buy the game again, assuming you bought a legal copy on GOG already... when the update is officially released, Galaxy will update to the latest version.

As I said look at the version number listed under INSTALLED next to the MORE button. This is the game version number.