Android 7.1 Developer Preview coming this month

[Guest HugoQueiriga]

Google has today announced that the Android 7.1 Developer Preview is coming out later this month to the Developer Preview programme.

In a blog post on the Android Developers website, they have confirmed they have been working with their device partners to get them ready for Android 7.1 (Nougat). This release will also allow app developers to prepare their apps for the new Android version.

Below is the changelog provided by Google.

Quote

App shortcuts API — lets you surface key actions directly in the launcher and take your users deep into your app instantly. You can create up to 5 shortcuts, either statically or dynamically.
Circular app icons support — lets you provide great-looking rounded icon resources that match the look of Pixel and other launchers.
Enhanced wallpaper metadata — lets you provide metadata about your wallpapers to any picker displaying the wallpapers as a preview. You can show existing metadata such as label, description, and author, as well as a new context URL and title to link to more information.
Image keyboard support — expands the types of content that users can enter from their keyboards, letting them express themselves through custom stickers, animated gifs, and more. Apps can tell the keyboard what types of content they accept, and keyboards can deliver all of the images and other content that they offer to the user. For broad compatibility, this API will also be available in the support library.
Storage manager Intent — lets an app take the user directly to a new Settings screen to clear unused files and free up storage space on the device.

Google is reporting that they will initially rollout the Developer Preview to Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P and the Pixel C, with further supported devices being added by the end of the preview. They are are aiming to roll out the Final version of Android 7.1.X by December to all supported devices - Nexus 6, 5X, 6P, 9, Player, Pixel C, and supported Android One devices - as well the Pixel and Pixel XL.

If you want to receive the Developer Preview automatically, visit Android Beta and enroll your device. If you previously enrolled a device and haven’t unenrolled, your device will receive the update. If you already enrolled but don’t want to receive the update, visit Android Beta to unenroll the device as soon as possible.

As previously mentioned before, if you are looking for Google Assistant or Pixel Launcher - these are exclusive to the Google Pixel phones and will not be coming to any other device.

source: Android Developers

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