Android 7.1.2 is rolling out -- but only to Pixel C and Nexus Player devices

By Rebecca Linke, Senior Associate Editor, Computerworld | Apr 3, 2017 4:08 AM PT

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Android enthusiasts love updates -- even though barely anyone gets them.

And now the latest incremental update to Android Nougat has started rolling out, but only to a couple of devices so far, and it doesn't seem that many more are in line to get it. Regardless, what is the update, and what will it bring to supported devices?

In IT Blogwatch, we wait. 

So what is going on? JC Torres shares some background:

Android Nougat might sound like old news, now that Android O has formally been teased in a developer preview. But that’s not to say that the nutty treat isn’t going to have one last hurrah before it goes out of season...Android 7.1.2 is finally rolling out in its final form...according to some user reports...the final Android Nougat update is apparently landing first on the Pixel C and the Nexus Player, two of Google’s older devices that are in dire need of some love.

And what kind of features does Android 7.1.2 bring? Abner Li has those details:

The Pixel C tablet gains some changes that first debuted on phones. The Pixel Launcher replaces the Google Now launcher and adds a swipe-up app drawer and weather/date widget in the top right corner...the navigation buttons now match the white style on phones.
...
The most noticeable feature is a multitasking menu...Apps are now displayed in a grid rather than as large cards you scroll through...Unfortunately, only the last eight apps are available with no ability to access older ones.

And what will the update bring to phones, when it comes to them? Alex Wagner has that info:

As might be expected...Android 7.1.2 doesn’t include any major new features. It does include...a “Swipe for notifications” feature on the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P that’ll let you access your notification shade by swiping on the phones’ fingerprint readers...and there’s a “Usage alerts” section in the Battery section of Settings to alert you to apps that are sucking up too much energy.

So which other devices can expect to see the update? Aaron Mamiit is in the know:

Google previously confirmed that it will be rolling out Android 7.1.2 Nougat...to...Pixel and Nexus devices, including the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X...Nexus 6P...Pixel C and Nexus Player...Unfortunately for Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 users, these two devices were not included by Google as compatible recipients of the operating system update.

What about non Nexus and Pixel devices? Rich Woods has some bad news:

If you don't have a supported Nexus or Pixel device, don't expect to see it anytime soon. As of almost four weeks ago, usage of [the latest version of] Android Nougat...which is 7.1, saw a 33% increase to 0.4%.
...
Still, don't get too comfortable with the latest version of Nougat; Android O is coming in the third quarter of this year.

Anything else we need to know? Not really, but Gabriel Umoh has something to add:

Cries in Marshmallow 😭

Rebecca Linke is a Senior Associate Editor at Computerworld who writes about social media and personal technology. She also helps manage Computerworld's Facebook and Google+ pages.

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Source: http://www.computerworld.com/article/3187050/android/android-712-is-rolling-out-but-only-to-pixel-c-and-nexus-player-devices.html#tk.rss_all