Last week a Canadian carrier leaked the release date of Google’s latest Android operating system. As it turns out, Telus was right and Android 7.0 Nougat will start rolling out to Nexus devices today. As a matter of fact, Android 7 updated on my Nexus 6P over the lunch hour to the final NRD90M build. The update was 49.5 MB with the previous dev preview installed, with a full install being around 1175 MB. On the Nexus 5X it looks like the full install weighs in at 1171.5 MB.
Google posted the news on their Android blog, as well as launched an Android 7.0 Nougat website explaining the new features of the latest Android operating system. What’s interesting over previous Android releases though is that no new Nexus devices were announced with the official Nougat release, which is usually the case with new Android releases. Some of the key features and updates over Android 6.x Marshmallow include:
- Expanded emoji: There are now over 1,500 different emoji built into Android, including 72 new ones, so go ahead: express yourself.
- Quick Settings controls: Quick Settings gives you easy access to things like Bluetooth, WiFi and the all-important flashlight. With Android Nougat, you can actually control what tiles go where, and move ‘em around to fit your needs.
- Multi-locale support: Apps can tailor their content based on your locale settings. So if you speak multiple languages, for instance, then search engines can show results in each of those languages.
- Multi-window: Run two apps side-by-side. The windows are resizable, too, by simply dragging the divider.
- Direct Reply: Reply directly to notifications without having to open any app.
- Quick Switch: Switch between your two most recently used apps by simply double tapping the Overview button.
- Smarter battery life with improved Doze feature.
- Support for Vulkan™ (an advanced 3D rendering API) and Daydream (Google’s platform for mobile virtual reality).
- Seamless updates: New Android devices with Nougat can install software updates in the background which means you won’t have to wait while your device installs the update and optimizes all your apps for the new version. And for current Nexus users, software updates now install much faster, so you won’t have to wait for minutes while your device reboots.
- File-based encryption: Android Nougat can better isolate and protect files for individual users on your device.
- Direct Boot: Direct Boot helps your device startup faster, and apps run securely even before you unlock your device when your device reboots.
The Nexus devices slated to receive the Android 7 update over the next several weeks include the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and General Mobile 4G (Android One). If you read between the lines, you’ll note that this is the end of the line for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) for new versions of Android. In addition, the LG V20 was announced as being the first new smartphone that will ship with Android Nougat right out of the box.
Do you have a Nexus device? Have you seen the final Android 7.0 Nougat build pushed to your device yet? What’s your favourite new Android 7 feature? Let us know in the comments below, or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.
[button link=”https://android.googleblog.com/2016/08/android-70-nougat-more-powerful-os-made.html” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Android Blog[/button]
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