Google announced last week that the developer preview for Android 7.1 Nougat will be rolling out late this month for the Pixel C tablet and the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P smartphones.
Owners of the said devices who were excited to try out the preview version for the latest mobile operating system by Google did not have to wait long, as the developer preview has now been rolled out.
The developer preview for Android 7.1 Nougat is different from previous preview versions because it adds features that were exclusive to the latest Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones of Google into other Android devices.
Android 7.1 Nougat brings with it support for Daydream VR, which is Google's next step into virtual reality platforms after the simplistic but otherwise functional Google Cardboard, as well as app shortcuts, rounded app icons and enhanced live wallpaper metadata. The operating system update will also come with image keyboard support, which opens up the ability for developers to make tweaks to allow users to add new types of content using the keyboard such as stickers and GIFs, and a new storage-saving tool.
Not being brought to other devices from the Pixel and Pixel XL, however, are features such as the Google Assistant, the Pixel launcher and the aesthetic improvements made to the UI of the new smartphones.
When will the Android 7.1 Nougat developer preview arrive to other devices? According to an Android Developers blog post written by VP of engineering Dave Burke, the preview version will be launched for other compatible Android smartphones and tablets next month.
Burke added that after this initial release for the developer preview, there will be an update to be launched in November, followed by the final public release into the Android Open Source Project by December.
To gain access to the developer preview in the Pixel C, Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P, there are three methods. The first method is to sign up for the Android Beta program and enroll a device that is eligible to receive the preview update. The second method is to flash the over-the-air device image manually, and the third method is to reset the device and flash a system image.
There is still no word on when the exact date of the official release of Android 7.1 Nougat will be though, with the release date likely to vary depending on how well the preview versions of the operating system update perform.
