Google did the unexpected when it pushed out Android N developer preview months before the usual release date of its beta versions of Android.
In the past, the company has relied on its Google I/O events to announce new developer preview versions of its Android operating system. However, this year was a little different as the company instead unveiled this software back in March, two months before the usual release during the May-held developer conference.
During the Google I/O 2016, the search engine giant released a public beta of the OS, but it has since been coming in with more developer previews that include improvements, new additions as well as fixes to previous bugs. At the same event, the company also came public with the news that this year’s Android N will be named with the help of users’ suggestions.
As it seems, the Android world has settled on the name to baptize Android N. The successor to Android 6.0 Marshmallow will now be officially known as Android 7.0 Nougat. This name continues Google’s trend of using dessert names when it comes to its operating systems. The OS is set for an official release this summer.
The release comes in with quite a number of notable features, among them split-screen multitasking, notification shade as well as enhanced Doze mode, a feature that made its debut with last year’s Android Marshmallow. Those who are dreaming of using Google-based VR phones will be pleased to learn that the latest stable beta of Android N comes with Daydream baked right inside.
As pointed out, Google is expected to come in with the stable version of Android Nougat this summer. The company will also add its own set of devices to go along with this new OS, just like it has done in the past. Last year saw Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P accompany Android Marshmallow, however, this year’s Google Nexus phones still remain a mystery. Still, reports have been rife that HTC is working on two devices codenamed Marlin and Sailfish. If this is true, then we’ll see the two released later this year with Android Nougat on board.