Ron Amadeo
Google has released the second and final developer preview build of Android 7.1.1 to select Nexus and Pixel phones and tablets today—this is the update”s last stop before the final version is released to the company’s older hardware in early December. Like the first preview in October, this one supports the Nexus 5 and 6P as well as the Pixel C, and Google has added support for the Nexus 9 as well—you can enroll any of these devices in the beta program here to download over-the-air updates. The final version will add support for the Nexus 6 and the Nexus Player. The Pixel phones are already running Android 7.1, though they’ll presumably receive an update to 7.1.1 at around the same time with any applicable fixes and enhancements.
There aren’t major feature updates in the new beta, and Google’s post is mostly targeted toward developers who are getting their apps ready for the newest version of Nougat. Android Studio 2.2.2 includes support for the new API level 25, and the Android emulator images included with the developer tools have also been updated. And Google has provided tools to help developers create round icons for their apps and support Android 7.1′s new iOS-style app shortcuts.
As we’ve covered previously, Android 7.1 won’t bring all of the features of Google’s new Pixel phones to older Nexus and Pixel devices. Most significantly, you’ll have to do without the Google Assistant or the new Pixel Launcher, but you won’t get Daydream VR support or the full benefits of Nougat’s “seamless update” mechanism, either. Going forward, it’s not clear whether Pixel phones will receive new Android versions ahead of supported Nexus phones, whether those older devices can eventually expect to support the Pixel Launcher or Google Assistant, or whether even more Pixel-exclusive features will be added to the operating system. Nexus owners are still getting better and faster updates than most other Android phones, but it’s clear that Pixel is the future.
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