Google Officially Rolls out Android Nougat 7.0; Update to Nexus 6, 6P 5X, 9 & Android One Coming Soon

The much awaited next generation of Android is here, Nougat 7.0 and the California-based company is releasing it to its Nexus devices starting today. The update is an over-the-air update as it has been for a long time, and Nexus device owners will be the first to get a taste of the new version.

Google decided to skip the Nexus 5 this time, but the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and Android One devices will be getting the update soon, depending upon the country and the network carrier. Phones in Android Beta program will also get the official updates.

The over-the-air(OTA) update is expected to be quicker for Nexus devices as apps will not take longer to be optimized to the new version. In fact, the new update also brings in ‘seamless updates’ that allow background update so that the user does not have to bother about switching the phone on and off and waiting till it boots.

Google has highlighted some of the features users will be interested in –

• Expanded Emojis: There are now over 1,500 different emoji built into Android, including 72 new ones that Google has just added
• Quick Settings controls: Quick Settings gives you easy access to things like bluetooth, WiFi and the all-important flashlight. OnePlus devices have had this for quite some time, and now it comes built-in with Nougat
• 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 support: Just like Samsung’s Split Screen feature, Nougat support multi-window support that allows you to open two windows at once side by side with adjustable sizes
• New and improved Doze will also feature in Nougat to save some battery time while the smartphone is asleep

LG V20 will be the first smartphone to be launched with Android Nougat 7.0 out-of-the-box, much before the official Nexus 2016 devices get unveiled later this year. If you’re a Nexus user, be prepared to get the update notification anytime in the next 2-3 days.

Other smartphone users will have to wait a while, and we all know how sluggish these OEMs are when it comes to releasing OTA updates. Samsung, Xiaomi, Gionee, Micromax and Lenovo have been known to make users wait a while before they release a stable build, that too mostly for their flagships.

Google also claims that the software update will bring more security through an added layer of encryption. We should probably take it with a pinch of salt because Android is not secure, as opposed to company’s belief. An open OS can be relatively easily hacked into and messed with.

On the other hand, Motorola and OnePlus phones receive the latest updates quite early and you could expect Nougat 7.0 anytime in the next 2-3 months. We are very excited to test out the new version as it brings in a host of legit features and we will let you know if Google promises to deliver what it claims.

Source: Google Blog