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Google releases Android 8.1 Oreo to Pixel and Nexus devices

The Android 8.1 Oreo update is now rolling out to Pixel and Nexus smartphones and is available via an OTA (over-the-air) update. The company shared system images of eligible devices - Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 2 XL, Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL, Pixel C tablet, Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X.

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The Android 8.1 Oreo update is now rolling out to Pixel and Nexus smartphones and is available via an OTA (over-the-air) update. The company shared system images of eligible devices - Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 2 XL, Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL, Pixel C tablet, Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X.

The company mentioned in a blog, “We're pushing sources to Android Open Source Project now, and rolling out the update to supported Pixel and Nexus devices over the next week. We're also working with our device maker partners to bring Android 8.1 to more devices, including Android Oreo (Go edition) devices, in the months ahead.”

One of the biggest features being introduced in Android 8.1 is "Neural Networks API" (NNAPI), a hardware accelerated machine learning runtime to support ML capabilities in your apps. This will enable fast and efficient inference for a range of key use cases, starting with vision-based object classification. Android 8.1 also includes select new features and developer APIs (API level 27), along with optimizations, bug fixes, and security patches.

With Android 8.1, Google also introduced the Android Go edition of Oreo. It has been designed for devices with less than 1GB of RAM. This look like Google’s attempt to re-launch Android One in a distinctive manner but, Android Go is different from Android One. Even though both platforms aim to raise the quality of low-end smartphones, their directions are different.

Android Go is fairly distinct from Android One as the former comes with no hardware and software restrictions and the latter completely depended on Google partnering directly with the manufacturer.

In terms of features, Android Oreo is equipped with a customizable system for managing notifications, which can be grouped by type of application to facilitate access. Another innovation is the picture-in-picture mode, which enables users to participate in a video conference, displayed in a floating window, while surfing the web or accessing other applications. Also new is a feature to limit the power usage of background applications, which will make them less of a drain on battery life. Lastly, an auto-fill function will allow users to automatically fill in text fields when accessing services or making payments.

The new Android will be faster but also more secure. As well as enabling users to locate different devices connected to their accounts, Google Play Protect will regularly scan all applications for potential threats to system security. Google has added more than 60 new emojis that will no doubt be welcomed by power users who were waiting for ideograms for, among others, Santa Claus, a slice of bacon and a unicorn.

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