In what may have been one of the shortest-ever live tech announcements, Google revealed today that the next major version of the Android mobile platform will be called “Oreo.”
“Today, we are officially introducing Android 8.0 Oreo, the latest release of the platform, and it’s smarter, faster and more powerful than ever,” Google vice president Sameer Samat writes. “It comes with new features like picture-in-picture and Autofill to help you navigate tasks seamlessly. Plus, it’s got stronger security protections and speed improvements that keep you safe and moving at lightspeed.”
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Of course, what we’re all wondering is when we can get it. I’ve been running various pre-release versions of Android “O”, as it’s been called until now, on my Google Pixel XL all summer. But now we have a schedule for when compatible devices can expect the update.
And it goes something like this.
Android 8.0 Oreo is heading out to Android Open Source Project (AOSP) devices today. So if you are using such a device—basically a de-Googled Android device—you can get it immediately.
Those with a Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, or Nexus 6P should see Android 8.0 Oreo “soon,” Google says: Builds have entered carrier testing.
Likewise, Pixel C and Nexus Player are listed as “soon.”
“We’ve also been working closely with our partners, and by the end of this year, hardware makers including Essential, General Mobile, HMD Global Home of Nokia Phones, Huawei, HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp, and Sony are scheduled to launch or upgrade devices to Android 8.0 Oreo,” Google notes. “Any devices enrolled in the Android Beta Program will also receive this final version.”
You can learn more about Android 8.0 Oreo from the Android website. But I’ll begin exploring its new features soon too
jbuccola
<blockquote><a href="#167888"><em>In reply to jrickel96:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Android for tinkerers.</p><p>Apple when you want the tech to get out of the way.</p><p>Microsoft for masochists.</p>
Lateef Alabi-Oki
<blockquote><a href="#167924"><em>In reply to James_Wilson:</em></a></blockquote><p><span style="background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87);">The Android Support Libraries provide a backward compatible interface for developers that backports new APIs all the way back to Android 2.0 (Gingerbread).</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87);">So, yes, developers can target new features in Android Oreo, and via the Support Libraries, have those features work seamlessly in older versions of Android all the way back to Android 2.0 (Gingerbread).</span></p><p><br></p><p><span class="ql-cursor"></span>https://developer.android.com/topic/libraries/support-library/index.html</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#167895"><em>In reply to Nicholas_Kathrein:</em></a></blockquote><p>Interesting. I wonder what the limitations are. Obviously if it solved all compatibility issues there wouldn't be any need for new versions of Android like "Oreo". Google play services would just be updated instead.</p>
Delmont
<p>I wonder if/what Nabisco's response is</p>
Pargon
Premium Member<p>I'd bet Nabisco is paying Google for the advertising actually. It is kind of Google's business….and they will plaster a Oreo up everywhere.</p>
Delmont
<blockquote><a href="#167921"><em>In reply to Pargon:</em></a></blockquote><p>LOL Tough to say… trademarks are supposed to be vigorously defended… Maybe "Oreo" is generic now like "I'm going to go Xerox that piece of paper" or Kleenex.</p>
wocowboy
Premium Member<p>It is pretty understandable that the announcement was short and most people probably didn't even notice that it happened, because the vast majority of Android users will never see the update, at least on any device they might own today. Maybe a few years down the road they might see it on a new phone, when Oreo is 2-3 years old at that time. The Android fragmentation problem really is horrible, considering the previous verzion, Nougat, is only on 13% of phones right now. For all the talk about internet security and security of personal information and data, to rationalize that using a 3-4 year old OS on your most important personal device is perfectly OK is absolutely ridiculous.</p>