Google has already published the latest over-the-air (OTA) update images and Pixel factory images at the tech company's developers' page last Oct. 20. This news should be welcome for the tech-savvy crowd out there who likes to tinker with their Android devices.
To those wondering what these "images" are all about, these are the files necessary to manually restore or update Google phones beginning with the Nexus line.
The factory images can restore the phone's original factory setting. This is particularly handy for users who encountered errors when rooting or customizing their devices. Unlike the OTA images, however, the installation of the factory images will wipe out all data from the device.
The OTA images, on the other hand, merely update the device.
"This has the same effect of flashing the corresponding factory images, but without the need of wiping the device," Google explained how the OTA images works.
Google has provided all the details and instructions such as the six-step OTA update application as well as key security warnings when proceeding with the update. But Nexus and Pixel phone owners are advised to proceed with caution especially if they do not have experience rooting their handsets.
The posting of the Pixel and Nexus factory and OTA files also provides an opportunity for the public to compare the differences between the Nexus phones and the latest Google Pixel phones. However, since the files have been recently posted, there is still scant information in this respect. This is bound to change as developers start to evaluate all the information.
So far, we only know that Google has provided the Google Pixel and Pixel XL three builds each. The former, which was also identified in the post as Sailfish, has the 7.1.0 (NDE63H), 7.1.0 (NDE63L) and 7.1.0 (NDE63P). The three downloadable builds for Pixel XL, also referred to as Marlin include 7.1.0 (NDE63H), 7.1.0 (NDE63L) and 7.1.0 (NDE63P).
The three build versions are reportedly identical. The distinction is said to be based on the three regions where both phones are being sold.
If you are ready to flash or update your Pixel device, do not forget to check if it is bootloader unlockable. As Tech Times previously reported, Pixel phones bought from Verizon are unlocked. You should also be mindful that unlocking the bootloader, which is necessary to flash your device, will void its support for Android Pay. Using the factory image will wipe all your phone's data.
