Google starts rolling out Android 7.0 Nougat to Nexus devices

Google today started rolling out Android 7.0 Nougat to existing Nexus devices via an over-the-air software update. This is a gradual rollout: The Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C, and General Mobile 4G (Android One) will all be updated, but “it may take several weeks” before everyone gets the latest and greatest, a Google spokesperson told VentureBeat. Just like the Nexus 4 did not get Android Marshmallow, don’t expect the Nexus 5 to get Nougat. If you enrolled a device in the Android Beta Program, you will also receive the final version.

Google released five developer previews of Android Nougat, one per month: the first Android N developer preview in March, the second preview in April, the third preview in May, the fourth preview in June, and the fifth preview in July. With the last developer preview, Google also pushed out near-final system updates for supported devices. “You will NOT see a big difference between the OTA and the last Developer Preview in the Android Beta Program,” a Google spokesperson said today.

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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.