Google talked about several new features headed to Nougat within Android 7.1.
While the recently-announced Pixel handsets will ship with their own version of Android 7.1 (including Google Assistant), this iterative update will eventually be made available to Nexus and other phones. The most obvious new feature for end users is new support for GIFs and animations within the keyboard.
Google says the Android keyboard will be able to interact with third-party apps to create and apply stickers, videos, and other expressive content. Android 7.1 also adopts a 3D Touch-style interactive tool that will let people access up to five secondary actions/settings that can be reached directly from the launcher.
Another tool called storage manager intent allows users to quickly access apps’ memory settings to clear out unwanted or old files. Android 7.1 gives developers several new functions, as well, including the ability to adopt the Pixels’ round app icons, and glean more data from active wallpapers.
Google says it will release a developer preview off Android 7.1 in the near future to the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and Pixel C. The updated platform bumps up the API level to 25 and developers will have to adjust their apps accordingly.
Google expects to release Android 7.1 to a wide range of devices, including more Nexus handsets, in the months ahead.
