Google Announces Android 7.1

Following the release of Android 7.0 Nougat on Nexus and Pixel devices couple months ago, Google is back once again with some pretty exciting news and has announced the release date as well as the first devices to get the company's latest mobile operating system, Android 7.1 Nougat.

Android 7.1 Nougat will bring some new features as well as other enhancements such as:

• App shortcuts API - lets devs surface key actions directly in the launcher, with the ability to create up to 5 shortcuts, either statically or dynamically

• Circular app icons support - lets devs provide great-looking rounded icon resources that match the look of Pixel and other launchers

• Enhanced live wallpaper metadata - lets devs provide metadata about their live wallpapers to any picker displaying the wallpapers as a preview including 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

• 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

• New APIs to support multi-endpoint calling and new telephony configuration options for carriers and calling apps

Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview will begin rolling out later this month starting with the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C devices. Last but not least, the final Android 7.1 build will be released early December on Nexus 6, 5X, 6P, 9, Player, Pixel C, and supported Android One devices — as well as Pixel and Pixel XL devices.

Android