Android 7.0 Nougat is official and LG has already announced the first smartphone running the latest Google-branded OS. While Android Nougat is available only on Nexus devices, Motorola could become the first OEM to roll out an update.
According to Droid Life, Motorola plans to roll out Android 7.0 Nougat at the beginning of Q4. The update will be pushed to Moto Z family and Moto G4 beginning in Q4. Readers must note Q4 starts in just couple of days and lasts through the end of the year. It is unclear when exactly Motorola plans to bring the new OS to its latest smartphones.
Motorola is currently planning to bring Android Nougat to Moto Z, Moto Z Force, Moto Z Play, Moto G4 and G4 Plus. If you have any other Moto smartphone then you are probably out of luck.
Google is hosting its ‘Made by Google’ event on October 4, where it is likely to announce Android 7.1 Nougat. The new version is coming at a time when the older version is yet to reach all the devices already available in the market.
Google is yet to update its dashboard with numbers indicating Nougat marketshare. The dashboard indicates Android Marshmallow being available on 18.7 per cent devices while KitKat and Lollipop are running on 27.7 per cent and 35 per cent Android smartphones.
Motorola has been one of the consistent OEMs when it comes to Android updates. The company has been significantly ahead of other OEMs with software updates. However, this time the details have been unclear. Now, Motorola is coming clean on its plans for Android Nougat updates.
Android Nougat is now rolling out to non-Google devices.
(Photo : Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Android users behold, the Nougat update is rolling out to more devices beginning October. Recent rumors suggest that mobile phone manufacturers are expected to release the Nougat update to eligible devices within the coming weeks. Here's what you need to know about the release date of Android Nougat to some mobile phone brands, and which models are included:
Android Nougat Rolling Out To HTC Phones
HTC confirmed that HTC 10, HTC One A9 and HTC One M9 are all getting the update,IBTimes reported. Furthermore, HTC states that a device will continue to get new updates for two years after the model's release. The company has also confirmed that they have received the Android Nougat software. According to a source, HTC expects to begin the roll out beginning 4th quarter of this year.
Android Nougat Rolling Out To Huawei Phones
For Huawei phones getting the Android Nougat update, the list might include Huawei P9, Huawei G9 Plus, Huawei P9 Lite, Huawei P9 Plus, Huawei Mate 8, Huawei Mate S, Huawei P8, Huawei P8 Lite, Huawei G8, Huawei G7 Plus and other devices released mid-2015 and earlier. As for the release date of Android Nougat to Huawei devices, the specifics are still uncertain. However, the company is probably rolling out the Nougat update at the same time frame as the others, around October December
Android Nougat Rolling Out To LG Phones
Sure enough, LG's latest flagship LG V20 will run the Android Nougat update from the box. For older devices like the LG G5, LG G4, LG V10, LG X Cam, LG X Screen, LG X Power, LG X Max, LG G4 Stylus, LG K8 and more, the Android Nougat update is expected within the same release dates as mentioned. For the Android Nougat release to LG phones, it would probably start within a couple of months. Just keep in mind that newer devices tend to receive the update sooner than older models.
Other Mobile Phones Getting The Android Nougat Update
Asus expects to release the Nougat update to its Zenfone 3 series and some of its Zenfone 2 models. Samsung might extend the Nougat update up to the S6 series alongside the Galaxy J5, J7, A3, A9, C5, and other phones released within the same time frames. Not all companies have confirmed their list of Nougat eligible devices, but if your Android device is relatively new, you are most likely to receive the update.
From native gesture typing to the ability to clear your app windows in one tap, and much more.
Not that long ago, I used to feel sorry for Android users and their clunky, sluggish devices—the thought of giving up my iPhone never crossed my mind. Recently, though, I’ve been the one green-eyed with envy, as snazzy new Android features make my once-precious iOS handset feel old and tired by comparison.
Below I’ve highlighted eight of the most notable Android features that iOS needs to steal (there are plenty more, mind you), from automatic power-saving mode and installing apps from the web to smarter keypad shortcuts and the ability to clear storage-hogging app caches with a single tap.
1. Gesture typing for the stock keypad
Sure, iOS has allowed third-party keyboards with swipe-to-type capabilities for a few years now, but I’m continually frustrated how non-Apple keypads tend to grow sluggish, fail to appear, or even crash altogether on my iPhone.
Ben Patterson
The stock Android keyboard supports gesture typing, but there’s no swipe-to-type support for the standard iOS keypad.
All too often, I find myself giving up and going back to the stock iOS keyboard—and I could live with that, except for the fact that I’m a dedicated gesture typist now, and the standard iPhone and iPad keyboard stubbornly demands tapping rather than swiping.
The stock Android keyboard, on the other hand, has long supported gesture typing (just tapSettings > Language & input > Virtual keyboard > Google Keyboard > Gesture typing), making it a compelling choice for any Android device. Why Apple won’t add gesture typing support to the stock iOS keypad is a head-scratcher, for sure.
2. Number and symbol shortcuts visible on every key
Speaking of the Android keypad, here’s another clever feature that, once you turn on, you’ll never turn off: the ability to display number and symbol “hints” on every key (Settings > Language & input > Virtual keyboard > Google Keyboard > Preferences > Long press for symbols).
Ben Patterson
Visible keypad shortcuts for numbers and symbols would be a welcome addition to the stock iOS keyboard.
For example, you can opt to have the Android keypad show tiny numbers in the top corner of every letter key in the top row; just long-press one of those keys to type the number rather than the letter.
Meanwhile, other keys on the keypad boast hints for symbols that are usually hidden until you tap the symbol key, such as the “@” sign in the corner of the “a” key and the dollar sign over the “d” key.
Those number and symbol “hints” come in handy when you’re trying to tap out a quick message, and they’re sorely lacking on the stock iOS keypad.
3. Auto battery-saver mode
One of the smarter Android features in the past few years is its Battery saver setting (Settings > Battery > Battery saver), which turns off background app activity, automatic email fetching, and other battery-draining activities, perfect for conserving battery power when your device is about to run out of juice. Apple wisely followed suit with its own low-power mode, which made its debut with iOS 9.
Ben Patterson
Why doesn’t iOS turn on low-power mode automatically like Android does? Good question.
Unfortunately, the iOS version of battery-saver mode is missing a crucial component of its Android counterpart: a setting that turns on low-power mode automatically once your battery meter falls below a certain level.
On Android devices, you can set the battery saver feature to snap on the moment your remaining battery power falls below 15 percent or 5 percent. With iOS, on the other hand, lower-power mode must be turned on manually, although at least you’re prompted to turn it on once your iPhone’s battery level falls below 20 percent.
So, why doesn’t iOS’s low-power mode boast an automatic setting like battery saver for Android? Beats me.
4. Install apps from the web
Apple’s App Store changed the game when it arrived on the scene back in the early days of the iPhone, but in many ways, it seems to be standing still. My biggest frustration with the App Store: It’s best browsed from an iOS device rather than the web.
Ben Patterson
Android’s support for remotely installing apps from the web is one that iOS should copy, pronto.
The Google Play app store, on the other hand, works quite nicely in a desktop web browser—and best of all, you can install apps remotely over the web.
With iOS, the closest you can get is to click the Getbutton in the App Store on iTunes, which only adds the app to your iCloud app library. To install the app, you’ll still need to search your app library on your iOS device and download it manually. Ugh.
5. Turn on ‘Do not disturb’ for just an hour
I loved Do not disturb mode when it landed on my iPhone with the iOS 6 update, but it’s in dire need of a revamp. Not only does Android offer multiple quiet periods through its DND mode (versus just one for iOS), it also boasts a handy feature for those of us who want some immediate but temporary quiet time.
Once manually activated, Android can turn off “do not disturb” mode automatically after a set period of time; iOS, not so much.
If you tap the Do not disturb “quick setting” in Android, one of the options you’ll find is a For one hour setting. Select it, and DND mode will turn on and then switch itself off automatically in an hour (or for a custom period, if you tap the “-“ or “+” buttons).
With iOS, you can quickly turn on DND mode manually (by flicking up from the bottom of the screen and tapping the Do not disturb button), but you’ll need to remember to turn it off—and with all that peace and quiet, it’s easy to forget.
6. Clear all app caches
It’s amazing how quickly some apps can become storage hogs. The “cached” data used by your social apps alone can easily gobble up hundreds of megabytes or even a few gigs if you’re not careful, leaving you tight on storage space when you need it the most.
Ben Patterson
iOS could really use a “clear all app caches” feature like the one on Android devices.
On an Android device, just tap Setting > Storage > Cached data to delete all your app caches in a flash. For iOS, well ... there is no such “clear all caches” feature. Instead, you’ll have to hope the space-hogging app has its own “delete cached data” setting, or else you’ll simply have to delete the app and reinstall it.
7. Clear all app windows
Whenever I see all the open app windows in the multitasking screen on my iPhone or iPad, I have an overpowering urge to start closing them, despite the fact that iOS does a decent job of reclaiming device memory whenever it needs to.
Ben Patterson
On Android handsets, you can clear all your open app windows in one fell swoop.
Still, it would be nice to have the option of cleaning out all your open iOS app windows at once, given that anyone who uses their iPhone or iPad on a regular basis will end up with dozens and dozens of app windows cluttering the multitasking screen.
That’s why I love the new Clear all button in Nougat, the latest version of Android. Just tapClear all at the top of the multitasking screen, and all your open Android app windows will be whisked away.
8. Quickly switch between your two last used apps
One of Nougat’s flashiest new features is its ability to show two apps on the screen at once. It’s a nifty trick, no question, but it turns out there’s another Nougat multitasking feature I use more, and I wish my iPhone could do it too.
Ben Patterson
If only I could quickly switch between my last two used apps on my iPhone...
When you double-tap the Android multitasking button, Nougat lets you quickly switch to the app you were using prior to that; double-tap the button again, and you’re back where you started.
Google finally introduced their latest Operating System, the Android 7.0 Nougat.
The unveiling of Google's latest OS, intentionally, was around the same time with Apple's iOS 10.
However, Android users should not get too excited. Especially if your smartphone is not Nexus. But do not be surprised, as historically, Google usually starts rolling out the update to their own smartphones brand first.
Also, Sony, Huawei and other smartphone brands are also working on their personal tweaks in the Android 7.0 Nougat. So, if you are not a Nexus user, you may expect the latest OS before the year ends, at the earliest.
Android Police got a confirmation straight from Google that Android 7.0 Nougat will be available for Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 LTE. Although, exactly when it will be available is still a big question.
For Nexus 6P, Google already distributed the Android 7.0 Nougat factory images.
Android 7.1 Nougat is also expected to be available for Huawei Nexus 6P, HTC Nexus 9 tablet, LG Nexus 5X and Motorola Nexus 6.
What is taking Google so long? There are no direct confirmations or statements from Google. However, it can be speculated that the company is still refining some things and fixing some bugs.
If you want to check if Android 7.0 Nougat is indeed worth the long wait, you can try it out firsthere. Google's Android Beta Program lets users check out pre-released versions of Android.
However, issues may arise during the use of the Android Beta Program. Users can in turn provide their feedbacks to Google.
Just take this note from Google seriously, "If you opt-out when your device is running a beta version of Android, all user data on the device will be wiped".
The devices that are eligible for Google's Android Beta Program for Android 7.0 Nougat are Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, General Mobile 4G (Android One).
Mi Note 2 Pro to feature 8GB of RAM with a quad-core 2.6GHz CPU
To run Android 7.0 Nougat with MIUI 8 on top
Mi Note 2 likely to be unveiled along with the Mi 5s on September 27
Xiaomi on Tuesday released a teaser signalling that the company is ready to unveil the much-rumoured Xiaomi Mi 5s at an event scheduled on September 27 at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing. While it is almost certain that the Mi 5s will be unveiled on that date, there are also hints that the Mi Note 2 will also make its debut as well. The latest leaks now detail the Mi Note 2 Pro.
Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous leaks regarding the Mi Note 2. The device is rumoured to sport a dual-edge screen with 6GB of RAM. While details of the Mi Note 2are still speculative, we now have a fresh leak that suggests what could be a Mi Note 2 Pro device. A screenshot posted on Weibo shows the 'About phone' page of the alleged Mi Note 2 Pro.
According to the image, the Mi Note 2 Pro will feature a whopping 8GB of RAM with a quad-core 2.6GHz CPU, running the latest Android 7.0 Nougat with MIUI 8 on top. The chipset is likely to be the new Snapdragon 821 which is also rumoured to feature in the Mi Note 2.
While the details on the Mi Note 2 Pro are limited, it is likely that Xiaomi will reveal the device a few months after the launch of the Mi Note 2, as was the case with the Mi Note and Mi Note Pro. It is also possible that the leaked screenshot is simply a variant of the Mi Note 2, which will likely be known in a week from now.
Meanwhile, the Mi Note 2 is rumoured to come in two storage options at 64GB and 128GB. Other rumoured features include a USB Type-C port, 3600mAh battery, two speaker grilles, and a fingerprint sensor at the front.
The Mi Note 2 is expected to be priced around CNY 2,499 (roughly Rs. 25,000) for the 64GB variant and around CNY 2,799 (roughly Rs. 28,000) for the 128GB option.
Android Nougat is now rolling out to non-Google devices. 
