True to its promise, Google has finally begun pushing out the Android 7.0 Nougat software update for the LTE model of the Nexus 9 tablet.
Earlier in July, we reported that an "OS Upgrade Schedule" from Canadian carrier Rogers had revealed that the Android 7.0 Nougat software update for the Nexus 9 would be coming soon.
Now close on the heels of the Motorola-made Nexus 6 beginning to receive the much-awaited firmware update on Tuesday, Oct. 4 (after Google promised in August that it, along with the Nexus 9, would benefit from Android 7.0 Nougat in the "coming weeks"), the Nexus 9 LTE is finally being updated from Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow to the latest version.
With the HTC-made tablet's LTE model getting the latest software update, owners of the Nexus 9 can benefit from the exciting new features and functionalities the update brings.
Interestingly, the Nexus 9 LTE tablets that were on the Android N Beta Program benefited from the software update in early September. The models that are currently receiving the over-the-air (OTA) software update are on stock Android 6.0.1.
The update brings the Nexus 9 LTE tablet's build to NRD90R, which seems to be the same one received by beta testers three weeks ago.
The firmware update also brings a security patch for the Nexus 9 tablet. However, while the Nexus 6 received the Oct. 5 patch, the Nexus 9 got the older Sept. 6 security patch.
For those wondering if Google has updated its OTA image download page with the build - yes it has and you can check the same at this link. However, the factory image is not available and whether it will be made available is also not clear.
To refresh your memory, the LTE model of the Nexus 9 sports an 8.9-inch display with a 2,048 x 1,536 pixel resolution. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3 and the device houses a 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 Dual Denver processor, which clocks at 2.3 Ghz. The HTC-made tablet, which was released in 2014, also housed 2 GB of RAM and was available in 16 GB and 32 GB storage options before it was discontinued by the company in May this year. Google removed the tablet from its online store a month earlier in April, signaling that the HTC-made tablet was getting the boot.
While experts asserted that it was the dismal sales of the Nexus 9 that led HTC to stop the tablet's manufacturing, the company cited the end of product cycle and not the lack of demand as the reason behind its decision.
Now with the LTE model of the defunct Nexus 9 getting the OTA update to Android 7.0 Nougat, those who own the tablet will be thankful for the support. To check if your tablet has received the update, go to Settings > About Device > Updates > Check for Updates.
Before you download and install the OS, we recommend that you ensure that the Nexus 9 LTE has at least 50 percent battery charge and sufficient memory space available.
