Google has followed through on its recent promise to make a preview version of Android 7.1 Nougat available to developers.
Registered developers can download the refreshed operating system to their Nexus 6P or 5X devices, as well as snag the latest developer tools from Google, including Android Studio and associated SDKs. The most forward-facing new feature for end users is support for GIFs and animations within the keyboard.
The Android keyboard can 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 or settings that can be reached directly from the launcher.
The preview can be downloaded over the air. Google expects to release another developer preview in November with the final build scheduled for December.
