Android 7.1 Nougat Update: Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, And Pixel C Devices Getting Developer Preview First This October

The latest update from Google announced that Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview will be available later this month, and it is coming to Nexus 5x, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C first. Through the official Android Developers Blog, Dave Burke, VP of Engineering, shared the following.

“Initially, we’ll offer the Developer Preview for Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C devices, extending to other supported devices by the end of the preview. At the final release of the Android 7.1.x platform, due in early December, we’ll roll out updates to the full lineup of supported devices — Nexus 6, 5X, 6P, 9, Player, Pixel C, and supported Android One devices — as well as Pixel and Pixel XL devices.”

Android 7.1, an incremental update based on the Nougat OS –Google’s latest mobile software offering– was first seen during the company’s launch event for its Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones last week.

Welcome to the Android family, #Pixel & #PixelXL! #madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/jEBXWqHddT

— Android (@Android) October 4, 2016

GSM Arena noted though that the Nougat update “didn’t get a proper introduction at the time.” However, in the latest blog post, Google revealed more about the newest version of their Android Nougat. According to the blog posted by Burke, Android 7.1 Nougat will bring in new features such as Daydream VR support, A/B system updates, app shortcuts, and image keyboard support upon the update.

“Android 7.1 delivers the productivity, security, and performance of Android 7.0, along with a variety of optimizations and bug fixes, features, and new APIs (API level 25).”

App developers will be offered with new ways to help them drive engagement and render improved user experience once the Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview becomes available. For instance, the App shortcuts API will let them “surface key actions directly in the launcher” and bring the users deep into the app immediately. Five shortcuts can be made by developers, whether dynamically or statically, the post further noted. GSM Arena explained that it is comparable to “Apple’s quick actions when 3D Touch pressing an app icon.”

There will also be enhanced live wallpaper metadata to show available information like description, author, label, new context URL, and more. To complement Pixel launcher and other launchers, an option to use circular app icons will also be available in Android 7.1 Nougat update.

Listening to developers, Google also included highly requested features such as the image keyboard support which “expands the types of content that users can enter from their keyboards, letting them express themselves through custom stickers, animated gifs, and more,” Burke explained. “Apps can tell the keyboard what types of content they accept, and keyboards can deliver all of the images and other content that they offer to the user. For broad compatibility, this API will also be available in the support library.”

Storage manager Intent, another much-requested developer feature will also be present in Android 7.1 Nougat where an app can bring the user to a new Settings screen right away to delete unused files and free up storage space.

As for other things to expect in Android 7.1 Nougat, carriers and calling applications will get “new APIs to support multi-endpoint calling and new telephony configuration options.” The post also noted the following.

“The Android 7.1 Developer Preview will give you everything you need to test your apps or extend them with new features like shortcuts or keyboard images. Included are the SDK with new APIs, build tools, documentation and samples, as well as emulators and device system images for running your apps on supported Nexus devices. We’ll also include a launcher and apps that support app shortcuts, and a keyboard and apps that support keyboard images.”

To get this update automatically, the compatible device should be enrolled in Google’s Android Beta. Visit this link below to sign up for the program. Meanwhile, those who already signed up but are not interested in getting the Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview can simply unenroll their Nexus and other compatible units.

[Featured Image by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]