Google Android 7.0 Nougat is now out of the beta program, and will start rolling out for Nexus phone users.
Google’s Android 7.0 Nougat is now finally out of the beta program, and will start rolling out to Nexus smartphones. The first list of devices which will be getting the new OS over the next couple of weeks include Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and General Mobile 4G (Android One).
Google’s official blog for Android has confirmed an OTA (over the air) software update for these phones. Any phone running a beta test for Android Nougat will also get the final version. Google also confirmed LG’s upcoming V20 will be the first official smartphone running Android Nougat. LG V20 is expected to launch on September 6.
With Android 7.0 Nougat, this was the first time Google rolled out the public beta for testing before an official launch. The new Android OS usually gets rolled out along with the new Nexus devices, but this year, Android 7.0 Nougat will be out before.
In terms of features, Google says there are over 250 major features in Android 7.0 Nougat and they have taken inputs from fans, and developers across the world. So what’s new in Android 7.0 Nougat? Here’s a quick look at Google’s latest Android OS, which will soon start rolling out to Nexus phones.
Expanded emoji: Android Nougat has support for 1500 different emoji, including 72 new emoji.
Quick Settings controls: Nougat has a quick settings access for Bluetooth, WiFi and flashlight and users can move the tiles wherever needed.
Multi-locale support: In Android 7, apps will base their content on locale settings and for those speaking multiple languages, search results can appear in each of them.
Multi-window: Users will be able to run two apps side-by-side and the windows can be resized as well by dragging the divider.
Notifications: Notifications come with the ability for ‘direct reply’ and you don’t have to open each app. Just like in iOS, users will be able to reply from the notification itself without leaving their current app.
Quick Switch: This new function will let Android users switch between their two most recently used apps by simply double tapping the Overview button.
Camera app: Camera app in Android N has three new grid options apart from the standard 3×3 frame. The new grid options include – 4×4 grid, golden ratio overlay and a standard square. With the new square grid option, users can click pictures in the standard square size itself to edit them later. The interface of the Camera app has been tweaked a bit with the grid option now available on the main viewfinder screen.
Android 7.0 Nougat also promises better battery life, and now the Doze mode will come in to play when the phone is inside a user’s pocket or bag. Doze mode was introduced in Marshmallow, where if a phone is stationary for too long, the phone defers CPU activity and network activity for apps in the background in order to conserve battery.
Android Nougat will also come with support for Vulcan API, which is an advanced 3D rendering API. Google has first revealed this at the annual I/O conference. It will also support Daydream, which is Google’s platform for mobile virtual reality.
Vulkan API promises faster game, “high-speed, next-generation graphics.†With Daydream-ready phones, Android Nougat will ready for the virtual experience.
On the security front, Android Nougat will have features like Seamless updates, File-based encryption and Direct Boot. Seamless updates means the latest software updates will be installed in the background, and for current Nexus users this will now take place much faster. Nougat also offers file-based encryption for individual users on the device. Direct Boot will help load the device faster.
HTC, Samsung and Sony has also promised Android 7.0 Nougat on their devices. The release will however, take sometime for most non-Nexus phones.
