Google has started updating certain devices to the latest Android 7.0, dubbed Nougat. Usually, a new version of Android would start to be pushed to devices during the fall, in late September or even October. But this year they changed the pace, making available a preview in March and the GA in August.
Nougat comes with over 250 new features, according to Google. Among these we note:
- A new Interpreter+JIT+AOT compiler that we presented in detail earlier. Basically, this compiler reduces the application installation time and storage space, and compiles hot portions of the code when the phone is idle to improve performance.
- Daydream, a VR SDK to create virtual reality experiences on mobile devices. There is a SDK for Unity 3D engines that can be used to create VR applications for both Android and iOS, and there is another SDK specifically for Android.
- Vulkan, a cross platform graphics and compute API for modern GPUs from the Khronos Group. Vulkan is not only for smartphones but also for PCs, consoles and even embedded devices. The Vulkan 1.0 spec was made available earlier this year.
- Multi-windows. On Nougat developers can create two windows that run one above the other, or side by side in split screen mode. Apps can be resized.
- With Direct Reply developers can enhance notifications to let users take action directly from the notification drawer.
- Doze, introduced in Android Marshmallow, was improved to apply CPU and network restrictions to applications when the screen is off and the device is not plugged in. That means synchronizations and network accesses are permitted only during certain time windows to save battery.
- Svelte is an enhancement meant to lower the memory footprint of applications running in background.
For a more complete coverage of what is new in Android Nougat, we recommend reading Android 7.0 for Developers which includes details on Data Saver, Number Blocking, Call Screening, Multi-locale support, New Emojis, WebView, which is back in Chrome, Virtual Files, and others.
Several Nexus devices, Pixel C and devices enrolled in the Android Beta Program will be the first to receive Android Nougat. If in previous years the first new device to receive a new Android version was a Nexus, this year LG V20 will be the first to taste Nougat.
Google informed that they are already working on the first Nougat update that will be made available some time this fall, bringing fixes and small refinements.
Community comments
some day
by Mac Noodle,
Re: some day
by William Smith,
Re: some day
by Roland Heimdahl,
some day
by Mac Noodle,
Your message is awaiting moderation. Thank you for participating in the discussion.
I guess in a few years when i get a new fone, i might get to use 7. My current one is 5.
Of course i can use it with my Nexus 7, assuming it gets the update.
Re: some day
by William Smith,
Your message is awaiting moderation. Thank you for participating in the discussion.
I’m giving up on Android - it’s so painful to develop for. This is a good upgrade, but only available if you have a recent Nexus device like the Nexus 6, 6P, 5X, Pixel C, or Nexus 9 tablet — and it will take some time for everybody's devices to receive the over-the-air update.
Most devices are still running 4 or 5 on the last data I can find.
developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html
By contrast when iOS 10 ships next month it will support All iPhones starting with iPhone 5, pretty much every iPad model (iPad mini 1-4, iPad 2-4, iPad Air, iPad Pro) and the 5th and 6th generation iPod touches. And most people will be able to move pretty quickly.
Re: some day
by Roland Heimdahl,
Your message is awaiting moderation. Thank you for participating in the discussion.
If you only supports Mashallow och Nougat, then you probably will support about the same amount of devices as Apple has out there. So you don't have to support 100% of the android-phones. Just like you don't have to support old iPhones either. Actually I would think that you make the Android echosystem a favor only supporting the new versions instead of rewarding lazy manufacturers that doesn't provide quick upgrades.