For weeks we’ve heard rumors about thePixelandPixel XLphones shipping with Android 7.1 Nougat and that information was confirmed this week. At the Google product launch event on October 4th, we learned a lot about this new Android update and it’s made people wonder whichdevices will get it. Not only that, but people want to know when the update is going to be released too. A Google spokesperson has revealed some information about the update, but doesn’t really tell us everything we want to know.
What we do know is that Android 7.1 will be made available to Nexus devices via a developer preview this year. An exact date hasn’t been given, and the length of this developer preview hasn’t been revealed either. Google has just said that it will be made available “before the end of the calendar quarter.” While Google did say it would be released for Nexus devices, they didn’t give an official list about which devices will get it.
It’s safe to assume theNexus 6P,Nexus 5Xand thePixel Cwill most definitely receive the Android 7.1 Nougat developer preview. What’s unclear is whether or not theNexus 6,Nexus 9or theNexus Playerwill be eligible for the update. All three of these deviceswere available to the public (not pre-sales, but actual sales) in November of 2014. We generally see Google support Nexus devicesfor a little bit longer than the official 2-year window, but it’s anyone’s guess right now.
We’ve also been told what featureswe can expect to see in the Android 7.1 release, and what will be exclusive to thePixelandPixel XL‘s version of Android 7.1. Things like Night Light, Seamless A/B system updates, Daydream VR mode and app shortcuts will be made available to devices that support them. However, features like the Pixel Camera, Pixel Launcher, Smart Storage, and the solid navigation bar colors will be unique to thePixelandPixel XLexperience.
What we do know is that Android 7.1 will be made available to Nexus devices via a developer preview this year. An exact date hasn’t been given, and the length of this developer preview hasn’t been revealed either. Google has just said that it will be made available “before the end of the calendar quarter.” While Google did say it would be released for Nexus devices, they didn’t give an official list about which devices will get it.
It’s safe to assume theNexus 6P,Nexus 5Xand thePixel Cwill most definitely receive the Android 7.1 Nougat developer preview. What’s unclear is whether or not theNexus 6,Nexus 9or theNexus Playerwill be eligible for the update. All three of these deviceswere available to the public (not pre-sales, but actual sales) in November of 2014. We generally see Google support Nexus devicesfor a little bit longer than the official 2-year window, but it’s anyone’s guess right now.
We’ve also been told what featureswe can expect to see in the Android 7.1 release, and what will be exclusive to thePixelandPixel XL‘s version of Android 7.1. Things like Night Light, Seamless A/B system updates, Daydream VR mode and app shortcuts will be made available to devices that support them. However, features like the Pixel Camera, Pixel Launcher, Smart Storage, and the solid navigation bar colors will be unique to thePixelandPixel XLexperience.