Android 7.1 Developer Preview Images Now Available
When Google announced its new Pixel phones at a hardware event last week , we only got a glimpse of Android 7.1 . Now Google has really taken the wraps off, and if you’re in the Android beta program, you’ll get it this month.
Update: You can get the 7.1 update right now on Google servers for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P and Pixel C. Download the factory images here or the OTA update archive here . If you’re unfamiliar with using them, check out our Factory Image Installation Guide here or learn how to flash .zips here .
Google describes Android 7.1 (which will continue to be called Nougat) as an “incremental update,” so don’t expect a ton of new features. However, it will provide support for Google’s new Daydream VR platform and a cool feature with a boring name: A / B system updates.
System A / B Updates is how Chrome OS already applies updates . Simply put, the device has two separate system partitions. For day-to-day use, you will be using section A. When you receive an update, it will be applied to B in the background while you use it. Then the next time you reboot the device, it will switch to using partition B. Then partition A will be updated in the background. As a result, you no longer have to sit back and wait for updates to be applied again. The only downside is that it takes up extra space on your phone, but since it only duplicates the system information it needs, it shouldn’t really matter. If you don’t already have a small amount of memory.
The update also contains a few small features such as app shortcuts that make it easy to navigate to parts of the app. For example, a long press (we’re guessing, but the mechanism is not clear yet) a messaging app on the home screen might show your five most frequent contacts. Android 7.1 will also support round launcher icons like Pixel Sports.
If you are currently participating in the Android beta testing program, Google will release version 7.1 to your device later this month. The company plans to release it to the general public in December, although it may take much longer for manufacturers to promote it on any non-Nexus device.
Coming Soon: Android 7.1 Developer Preview | Android Developers Blog