Korean agency says its V20 would be the first new telephone to run Nougat out of the field. However what does that imply for Nexus — and for everybody else?
LG this morning dropped fairly the information bomb on the Android world, saying that the V20 — the successor to final yr’s V10 — “will be the first device to feature Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box” when it ships this September. That is a reasonably large deal for bunch of causes. That honor often goes to a brand new Nexus handset (or extra just lately, handsets), developed in partnership with one of many main Android system makers. With reliable sources pointing to ultimate, secure builds of Nougat arriving in August, we’ll have an uncommon state of affairs the place a serious new Android model drops nicely prematurely of the brand new Nexus.
It is also a coup for LG, which scores an necessary differentiator for its upcoming telephone — at the least within the eyes of lovers. If the rumors are to be believed (and we’ll know quickly sufficient if they’re) the V20’s main rival, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7, will launch on the older Marshmallow launch.
It is unlikely LG was given any particular remedy by Google as a way to declare its first with Nougat. Most huge producers have entry to the code for a brand new model of Android nicely prematurely of the general public launch. It is extra doubtless LG, understanding Google’s timetable, determined to work that into its improvement roadmap for the V20.
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LG will get a PR win. Google will get secure code in producers’ arms.
As for Google, it is vital to see Nougat doubtless launching in August, with the widely-rumored duo of HTC Nexuses apparently hanging again till at the very least September. It’s a must to go all the best way again to 2009 and the unique Droid for the final time a brand new Android model arrived and not using a Nexus (or equal — hello Motorola Xoom) in tow.
However within the larger scheme of issues it might be a sensible transfer. Delivery Nougat in August will get secure code within the arms of telephone makers forward of the late-September/early-October rush of latest units. In the meantime, sticking to the standard fall launch window for Nexus telephones provides engineers time to complete work on — nicely, every thing else Google may need to ship on its 2016 Nexuses. Assume Allo, Duo, Google Assistant and Daydream.
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The core of Nougat could also be carried out, however there are tons of different Googley issues that in all probability aren’t.
On this context, it is also value remembering this yr’s massive Google launch celebration is about far more than telephones. Assume again to every thing the corporate introduced at Might’s I/O conference, most of which was given a obscure “later this yr” launch timetable: The arrival of secure Android app help on Chromebooks. Google House. There’ve even been credible rumors Google is making a pair of Android Wear watches. Even when Nougat is principally accomplished at this level, there is no assure any of this different stuff is. So if Google needs to do the sensible factor and launch all its new shopper merchandise on the similar time, it makes little distinction if the working system behind a few of it goes out slightly earlier.
Hell, it is completely potential the upcoming HTC Nexuses will not even ship with the preliminary Android 7.zero construct. If there’s going to be a niche of a month or extra between the preliminary Nougat launch and new Nexus telephones, they’d possible skip straight to the primary MR (upkeep launch) — a attainable Android 7.zero.1 or 7.1. If that occurs, nicely… it turns into very fascinating whenever you recall reports this summer claiming pressure-sensitive show help, initially deliberate for Android 7.zero, had been held again for simply such a upkeep launch.
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Who is aware of what else we’d see in an Android 7.1 or 7.zero.1 — or how Google may select to distinguish its new telephones in different methods. The corporate has hinted at additional software program coming to Nexus telephones past barebones inventory Android. In an interview this June, Google CEO Sundar Pichai advised The Verge: “You will see us hopefully add extra options on prime of Android on Nexus telephones. There’s numerous software program innovation available.” As soon as once more: Simply because Nougat is completed, doesn’t suggest this additional software program is.
Everybody advantages in the long term, hopefully.
We’re throwing round some hypothesis right here, however the backside line is that this: LG will get a pleasant publicity victory out of aligning its new telephone launch with Google’s roadmap for the secure Android 7.zero launch — one thing it badly wants after the flop of the G5. Google will get the necessary bits into telephone makers’ palms sooner than in earlier years, (hopefully) which means fewer new telephones launching in This fall on Marshmallow.
In the meantime Google engineers get a bit of extra time readying essential companion apps and providers like Assistant, Allo/Duo, Android Put on, Daydream and Google House with out holding again the Nougat supply code drop. And who is aware of, perhaps Google may have one thing additional particular ready on these new Nexuses once they do arrive.
Android Nougat
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Android N (presently in Developer Preview standing) is now Android Nougat! It is the 12th nicknamed model of Android and will probably be launched to the general public within the fall of 2016. This is every thing it’s essential to know to date!