Android enthusiasts after getting a taste of Android 7.0 Nougat are awaiting the arrival of an update in the form of Android 7.1.
A teaser video of a search bar turning into a shape of a smartphone was revealed by Google, which points toward the unveiling of Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones on Oct. 4. Since then there has been speculation about the new software features these devices will come with and whether they will be running Android 7.1.
Google, as always, has not provided an official indication about new hardware or software; however, this has not stopped developers and fans from circulating rumors based on beta version of the Android 7.1 software that is currently being tested.
Out of the new features rumored to arrive with Android 7.1 is a "reboot" button, an addition which several users have also been lobbying for. Now, Android Police reports that it has received a tip that "Google has added a reboot button to the upcoming Pixel and Pixel XL phones as part of Android 7.1." Even though most such tips are taken with a grain of salt as soon as they are received, this one came with a photo of the feature.
The leaked photo showed the "Power off" and "Restart" options as buttons. There are also indications that the photo was taken from a device that was running a test build of Android 7.1. However, as this is only a test build and not the final version of the operating system, Google could still remove the button. Android Police, however, is betting that Google will finally take the plunge and provide users with the "reboot" button as the "global power commands in Android contain a reboot function."
If Google does go ahead and include a "reboot" button in Android 7.1, it will surely become very popular with users as they have been requesting for it for years. Once the feature arrives, they will also be comparing it with similar ones that already exist on mobiles created by Samsung and LG.
The upcoming Pixel and Pixel XL devices are likely to garner a lot of headlines when they are released, but so far there are no official indications whether they will be running Android 7.1. It is, however, likely that Google aims to bring out an updated version of its Android OS to encourage people to buy the Pixel and Pixel XL and a "reboot" button will go a long way in capturing the attention of the Android faithful. As for the cost of the Pixel and Pixel XL, GSMArena states that the devices will have price tags that will allow it to "compete against the iPhone" which has a starting price of "$649 in the U.S."
