Google isn’t hiding any surprises up its sleeve this time around. About a week ago, Google had announced that it would release the developer preview for Android 7.1 later this month and today it is keeping its promise. The tech behemoth has today released the Android 7.1 Developer Preview and its SDK tools to eligible users enrolled in the Android Beta Program.
The developers can now go download the Android 7.1 SDK, tools and documentation to extend their apps capabilities with new features introduced in this build. They can also use the same to test the stability of their current app on the new platform.
Google first debuted the new software at the Pixel launch event during early October this year. But, Mountain View didn’t take the time to brief the audience of the minor changes in Android 7.1 but emphasized on features exclusive to the Pixel lineup. Yes, Google is foraying into hardware with some add-on features, such as Assistant, Pixel launcher, and others to make their offering more enticing for customers. These might never make their way to the official release of Nougat.
The most obvious user facing feature of Android 7.1 is app shortcuts. At the moment, first-party Google apps are the only ones to support them. Accessible from both the launcher and app drawer, the shortcuts can be dragged out as individual homescreen icons for much quicker access. Unfortunately, they cannot be reordered.
What’s New
App Shortcuts API – up to 5 intents can be launched within a menu accessed by long-pressing on an app’s icon from the launcher.
Image Keyboard Support – easily share images from your IME to any text input in your favorite app.
Enhanced Live Wallpaper Metadata – wallpaper pickers can now display more detailed information while previewing the live wallpaper.
Round Icon Resources – developers can now easily style their app icon to be rounded to fit in with the new Pixel Launcher.
Storage Manager Intent – if running low on storage, apps can now directly guide user to the storage manager so they can quickly free up space.
Improved VR Thread scheduling – developers can dedicate a single thread solely to handling the VR process, hopefully reducing latency.
The first Preview for Google devices, specifically the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C. Google has promised a second Developer Preview sometime in November that will be available for the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6X, Nexus Player, Nexus 9, Pixel C, and the General Mobile 4G. Finally, Android 7.1 Nougat will be officially released to the public via OTA update sometime in December to all of the aforementioned devices.
Download Links: Android 7.1 Developer Preview factory images | Android 7.1 Developer Preview OTA images
The developers can now go download the Android 7.1 SDK, tools and documentation to extend their apps capabilities with new features introduced in this build. They can also use the same to test the stability of their current app on the new platform.
Google first debuted the new software at the Pixel launch event during early October this year. But, Mountain View didn’t take the time to brief the audience of the minor changes in Android 7.1 but emphasized on features exclusive to the Pixel lineup. Yes, Google is foraying into hardware with some add-on features, such as Assistant, Pixel launcher, and others to make their offering more enticing for customers. These might never make their way to the official release of Nougat.
The most obvious user facing feature of Android 7.1 is app shortcuts. At the moment, first-party Google apps are the only ones to support them. Accessible from both the launcher and app drawer, the shortcuts can be dragged out as individual homescreen icons for much quicker access. Unfortunately, they cannot be reordered.
What’s New
App Shortcuts API – up to 5 intents can be launched within a menu accessed by long-pressing on an app’s icon from the launcher.
Image Keyboard Support – easily share images from your IME to any text input in your favorite app.
Enhanced Live Wallpaper Metadata – wallpaper pickers can now display more detailed information while previewing the live wallpaper.
Round Icon Resources – developers can now easily style their app icon to be rounded to fit in with the new Pixel Launcher.
Storage Manager Intent – if running low on storage, apps can now directly guide user to the storage manager so they can quickly free up space.
Improved VR Thread scheduling – developers can dedicate a single thread solely to handling the VR process, hopefully reducing latency.
The first Preview for Google devices, specifically the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C. Google has promised a second Developer Preview sometime in November that will be available for the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6X, Nexus Player, Nexus 9, Pixel C, and the General Mobile 4G. Finally, Android 7.1 Nougat will be officially released to the public via OTA update sometime in December to all of the aforementioned devices.
Download Links: Android 7.1 Developer Preview factory images | Android 7.1 Developer Preview OTA images
Android 7.1.1 Developer Preview is Now Available For Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C
Reviewed by Tech Ugly
on
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Rating:
Reviewed by Tech Ugly
on
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Rating:
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