Google announced the rollout of Android 7.0 Nougat for Nexus devices. The rollout will be staged in batches as any other update rollout by Google. The company has added that over next 1-2 weeks, the update should reach all supported Nexus devices including General Mobile 4G, the only Android One device to get the update at the time of writing.
The latest version of Android brings many changes and improvements to the Android operating system. Nougat will come with 1,500 different emojis built in, including the 72 new emojis. The quick settings controls are a redesigned aspect of OS which will give you quick access to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, flashlight with the ability to customise control tiles. The redesigned Quick-Settings control comes with a new ‘Direct reply’ feature where you can directly reply to notifications without the need to open the app.
Nougat comes with multi-locale support where apps can customise their content based on the local settings of the phone, changing the language and showing results in all the languages configured. One of the most requested and popular features, Multi-window support comes with the OS, taking productivity to a new level as you can run two apps side-by-side. The quick switch will join Multi-window in improving the speed at with you can get your work done using Android 7.0 as it allows you to switch between two most recent apps using a double tap on the Overview button. The latest update bakes the data saver functionality within the OS along with the functionality to change the size of the display from the previously allowed changes in the text size.
Google estimates there are “over 250 major features in Android Nougat.” The company decided to highlight the following additions:
- More personal: 72 new emojis, Quick Settings controls (choose which tiles go where), multi-locale support (apps can tailor content based on your language settings).
- More productive: Multi-window (run two apps side-by-side), Direct Reply (reply directly to notifications without having to open an app), and Quick Switch (switch between your two most recently used apps by simply double tapping the Overview button).
- More battery smarts: Doze improvements mean your device can now drop into lower power usage when you’re on the go.
- More immersive: Support for Vulkan (next-generation graphics for games powered by your device’s multi-core processor) and Daydream (Google’s mobile virtual reality platform).
- More secure: Seamless updates (new Android devices can install software updates in the background), file-based encryption (Nougat can better isolate and protect files for individual users on your device), and Direct Boot (faster startup, and apps run securely even before you unlock your device).
With Nexus devices now getting Nougat, Android device makers will be next to announce when and which devices will get Nougat (the LG V20 will be the first new smartphone to ship with Nougat). Most flagship devices should have the latest version by the end of the year, but many phones and tablets will lag behind for much longer, as is typical with Android releases.
Google rolls out Android 7.0 Nougat to Nexus devices
