When will the new firmware for Samsung Galaxy be released? The new Android Oreo has been released. Comparison with Nougat. Photo Navigation Bar Settings

Android 8.0 Oreo is officially launched. When we say "launched" we mean that it only applies to devices created by Google. Currently, essentially, only those who have Google Pixel, Google Nexus smartphones and a few tablets can easily access it.

It's a shame, because Android 8.0 brings a lot of new features, including an improved notification system, picture-in-picture support for any app, and better battery life management. If you want to install it on your device and play with the new operating system, there are some shortcuts you can take. However, your options will depend on the type of smartphone you have: this guide primarily applies to Pixel and Nexus users, but it includes general guidelines for other smartphones as well.

Why can't you easily access Android 8.0? Unfortunately, new updates may take a long time to reach any significant number of Android users. For example, at the time this article was written, Android 7.0 Nougat was installed on only 14% of devices worldwide. Its predecessor Android 6.0 Marshmallow reached 32% of Android users.

All this happens because manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Sony, Huawei, HTC and others add their own customizations and additions to stock Android before making them available on their smartphones. By the way, this is one of the reasons why Google has separated so many of its applications and features from the Android operating system. You can update everything from Gmail to the Google Play Store regardless of the Android operating system, so Google can distribute the latest versions of its apps even if the OS update lags.

Join beta

Do you have a Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P smartphone? If your device has not been updated by this time, it will be updated soon. Enter the Settings app and tap About Device, then go to Software Updates to see if the Android 8.0 Oreo update has arrived.

If the update is not yet available and you want to speed up the process, you can do so by signing up for the Android beta testing program launched by Google. This will give you quick access to new versions of the operating system, although the version you are testing may have some bugs. Once you sign up for the beta, the program will also give you a ready-made version of Oreo.

On the smartphone you want to update, go to the Android Beta program registration page. If you are on a compatible device, you can simply click the Register Device button. After a short delay, you will be prompted to download and install Android 8.0 Oreo on your smartphone. You can then start using all the features of the new operating system.

Don't forget the main rule: before you register, create backup copies of all important data.

Update manually

For Pixel and Nexus devices, there is another option: updating manually. It includes downloading the full Android 8.0 Oreo code that Google has published online. Unfortunately, this code is optimized for certain devices (specifically Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P), so you can't just install it on your Samsung Galaxy S8 or LG V30.

Manual updating requires technical know-how because you need to use tools designed for application developers. And if you make the wrong move, you risk turning your smartphone into a brick. In short, we only recommend this option if you enjoy tinkering with your device and have a backup smartphone you can switch to if the worst happens. Otherwise, just wait for the automatic update.

You can download publicly available operating system code, known as a System Image, from the Android Developers Portal. Find your smartphone make and model in the list, find the entry for Android 8.0 and click "Link" to start downloading. Then extract the files to a folder of your choice.

Once you have saved the system image files on your hard drive, the next step is to configure the developer tools. First, you need to unlock your device so you can install new software. Essentially, you'll disable the setting that forces your smartphone to wait for confirmation from your carrier. Next, download the Android SDK Platform Tools zip file and extract it to a folder of your choice on your hard drive. You may want to create a new folder for this specific purpose.

You also need to prepare your smartphone for action. Go to Settings to About Phone (About Device), tap the build number seven times and you will see a dialog box confirming that your smartphone is now ready for developer settings. Go back to Settings, find the new Developer Options menu, and make sure you enable USB debugging.

Once your smartphone is ready to use, connect it to your computer using the USB cable provided by the manufacturer.

After that, put your smartphone into fastboot mode using the ADB tool or a button combination (varies depending on the brand and model of the device).

Then open a command prompt or terminal window in the folder where you extracted Platform Tools. Then go to the Platform Tools folder, then press “ Shift" and right-click on the folder thumbnail and select “Open command window”.

Finally, after you have made sure that you have backed up your data, you are ready to run Oreo on your smartphone. Open a new Command Prompt window as described above in the folder where the Android 8.0 files were extracted, or navigate to it in an existing window. Then type "flash-all" to get the software on your smartphone. Installation may take a few minutes, so be patient.

For other devices: install the launcher

Unless you own a Nexus or Pixel, then you won't be able to force Samsung, HTC, or any other manufacturer to speed up the update, especially for a specific device. We have already mentioned the reasons for the delay and, unfortunately, we cannot offer you any secret method to install Android 8.0 on your smartphone.

However, you can make your smartphone look and feel like it's already running Android 8.0 by installing an Oreo-style launcher. Launchers are programs that are responsible for the entire appearance of an Android device, without touching the applications inside.

Before downloading the launcher, go to the “Security” page in the “Settings” section and turn on the “Install from unknown sources” switch. Then go to the Rootless Pixel Launcher page on your smartphone and download the first APK file listed there. When you open it, the installer will launch.

The next time you press the Home button on your Android device, you will get the option to use the default Launcher3 app. If you accept, your smartphone will behave as if it were running Android 8.0. This move, of course, will not replace the experience of using real Android 8.0, but for now it will keep you from making rash steps to automatically update your device.

The new operating system was announced yesterday, but it is not yet known when exactly smartphones will be able to receive the update.

Thanks to Mountain ViewE, it became known that the update to Android Oreo will be available for owners of Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel C and Nexus Player. Pixel owners will be able to receive the update over the air, while everyone else will have to download it manually. The update weighs only 50 MB. Most likely, its weight for smartphones from other companies will be much greater.

How to update your smartphone to Android Oreo?

To update to Android Oreo right now, the first thing you need to do is back up your data on your smartphone. You can update in two ways:

1. Manually by downloading special images.
2. By joining the Android beta.

The second method is more reliable. You need to go to this page, log in to your Google account and click on the “register device” button. You can roll back to a previous version of the operating system on the same page. Owners of Google Pixel, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P devices will soon be able to receive the update without downloading images and the Android Beta Program.

Google confirmed that operators have already begun testing new software for these devices. The update will occur in stages. It is also confirmed that some devices from Essential, General Mobile, HMD Global, Huawei, HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony will receive the Android 8.0 Oreo update before the end of 2017.

The first thing that catches your eye is the updated Settings menu. It is now decorated in black and white and looks very stylish. The handy sidebar navigation menu introduced in Android Nougat is gone. In addition, some settings items have been swapped.

2. Limit background processes to save battery

Increasing autonomy became one of the main tasks that the developers set for themselves when working on. To do this, they completely redesigned the Doze function, which originally appeared in Marshmallow. The list of actions that applications can perform in the background has also been revised. New, more stringent restrictions can significantly extend the battery life of gadgets.

3. Quiet mode for individual notifications

In the latest versions of Android, you can turn on silent mode, as a result of which you will not be disturbed by notifications, calls and messages for a while. In Android O it will be possible to activate this mode for individual applications. To do this, move the notification to the side and click on the icon with the image of a clock.

4. New features of the fingerprint scanner

For the first time, smartphones now have the ability to perform certain actions using gestures on the fingerprint scanner. However, in the new version of Android this feature will be further developed. The most important thing is that the new API will allow you to use vertical and horizontal swipes, long and short taps on the scanner in third-party applications.

5. Navigation bar settings

For the first time, Android Marshmallow introduced a hidden menu called System UI Tuner, which allows you to customize the appearance of operating system elements. In the new version, its capabilities have been significantly expanded. The best part is that you can now change the appearance and functionality of the buttons on the bottom navigation bar.

6. Application shortcuts on lockscreen

In Android O, it will be possible to place in the left and right corners of the lock screen not only buttons for launching the dialer and camera, but also any other applications.

7. Picture-in-Picture mode

Multi-window mode from Nougat has been further developed. Now you can put video in a separate floating window and watch it on top of all other applications. This feature will be especially useful on tablets.

8. Improved battery usage statistics

The energy efficiency settings section received not only visual changes. You will finally find out which tasks drain your device's battery the most. With names of processes and applications.

9. New autofill feature

Everyone roughly knows how the autofill function in the browser works. You enter your data once, and then with one click they can be inserted into the required fields. Now the same opportunity will appear in Android O. The developers promise that all important personal data will be reliably protected at the operating system level, so there is nothing to worry about.

10. Dark theme

After eight years of existence, Android finally has a dark theme.

11. Notification channels

The notification system in each new version of Android becomes more and more advanced. In Android O, apps will be able to create feeds that post notifications related to the same topic. For each channel you can set your own display parameters.

12. Responsive icons

Older versions of Android used free-form icons, Nougat recommended round icons, and many third-party firmwares preferred square icons. Thus, to make an app icon look organic on any Android system, developers have to build in icons for all occasions. Android O solved this problem. Now the operating system itself will make sure that the icon of any program looks beautiful.

13. Hi-Fi Bluetooth codecs

Bluetooth has always been criticized for its poor sound quality compared to wired headphones. Fortunately, Google has added new codecs to Android O for transmitting and playing audio over Bluetooth, including Sony's LDAC. This should significantly improve sound quality on compatible Bluetooth devices.

14. Improved display of colors in applications

To make image editing easier, Android O will allow apps to use AdobeRGB and Pro Photo RGB color profiles. This means that what you see in the photo editor on your smartphone screen will look the same on any other display.

15. Wi-Fi Aware

This is a promising new technology that allows two devices running Android O to communicate with each other even if they are on different Wi-Fi networks. It is not yet very clear how this will be used in practice. Perhaps for transferring files or streaming multimedia.

16. Display the number of unread notifications on icons

Many third-party launchers have been able to do this for a long time. Now support for the function of displaying the number of unread notifications has appeared at the operating system level. If the sight of the three-digit number of unread emails on the icon annoys you, you can disable this feature in the settings.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, since we did not mention some minor visual changes and those functions that are hidden too deep in the depths of the operating system.

In addition, do not forget that for now we are looking at only a development build, which will be further developed and changed. But Android O already looks very attractive, so it’s worth the wait.

The final release of Android O is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017.

Google has just released the latest software update for smartphones and tablets - Android 8.0 Oreo. And while many changes remain behind the scenes, there are already plenty of known new features. In this guide, we'll find out what's new in Android Oreo and tell you what to expect. Including when you'll receive the Oreo update, including a list of supported devices, and a detailed look at the latest features.

There are many new features in Android Oreo that you can use to enhance your phone and tablet experience. It's a smart, fast and powerful update. Users will get additional notification features that are easier to manage, as well as a new Picture-in-Picture mode for videos. The changes will affect icons, text selection and auto-fill functions in applications like Google Chrome. Not to mention faster performance and longer battery life.

Many changes have also happened behind the scenes, so you won't see them right away, but they will make a big difference in daily use. After a long beta testing period, Google officially released Android Oreo on August 21st. The system is already available on some Nexus and Pixel devices, with others coming soon. Read on for more details.

UpdateAndroid 8.0Oreo: Release date

For those wondering, Android 8.0 Oreo is a free software update for all eligible devices. The first devices to receive the new software from Google are the Nexus 5X, Google Pixel XL, as well as the Google Pixel C tablet and Nexus Player. The update process may take 2-3 weeks.

In addition, Google has confirmed that testing of Android Oreo on the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P and Pixel has already begun. In the past, these devices received updates within two weeks.

Then later this year, Android 8.0 update is expected on smartphones from Essential, General Mobile, HDM Global (Nokia), Huawei, HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony, to name a few.

What's new inAndroidOreo?

Below we take a look at the new features specific to Android 8.0 Oreo and available on all supported smartphones, tablets and Android TV. Not to mention, you'll soon be getting new Google Assistant features and a new Google Lens app. This isn't the most important update, but there's still plenty to look forward to.

System optimization: Google has worked hard to make apps on the OS run faster and smoother. System optimization will allow smartphones to reboot twice as quickly and possibly double the performance of applications and games.

Background restrictions: A power saving feature in addition to "Doze" that will limit the battery usage of apps running in the background based on priorities. The Android 8.0 update will limit things like how often apps check your location, scan Wi-Fi, or access data. (Some applications may need to be restarted when reopened.)

Smart text sampling: Android Oreo recognizes addresses, URLs, phone numbers, and email addresses. Double-click and copy/paste the highlighted area and the system will suggest the apps you need. In addition to the normal copy, paste or copy all commands.

Notification points: Android's notification system is powerful, but it's getting better. A small colored dot can indicate notifications and app activity, enhancing the visual experience. Visibility directly on the icons is complemented by the ability to view notifications by long pressing on the icon.

Picture-in-picture mode and notification dots inAndroid 8.0Oreo.

Picture-in-Picture mode: Android TV has PiP mode already with Nougat and now this feature is available to all Android Oreo based devices. This is a video-in-picture feature. Imagine being able to use your smartphone and watch YouTube videos at the same time. So, for example, you can watch instructions on YouTube and study a project in Chrome at the same time. There is also support for multi-screen displays. You can watch something on your phone and send a parallel stream to your TV.

Automatic filling: Just like our web browsers on desktop computers, autofill will work on smartphones and tablets, whether for email or physical addresses in apps. Android 8.0 Oreo brings auto-fill to Google OS.

Responsive icons and badges: Instant notifications about the number of messages or information directly on the icons on the home screen. Similar to iOS. Not to mention the responsive icons. Imagine a clock icon always showing the correct time, a calendar showing the date, and so on. It is also worth noting the attractive animation.

Notification channels: The notification system is changing a bit again. Related notifications thanks to the new API give developers more control over what we see and how often. Later we will see synchronization between devices. There will also be an option to snooze notifications.

Widescreen color for applications: Android developers will now be able to use new devices with a widescreen color display. How . Applications will be more colorful and attractive.

Keyboard navigation: We have already seen this feature to some extent on Android Nougat, but it will be better in Android Oreo. Navigation will allow you to scroll and perform gestures from the keyboard and while typing.

Sound improvements: New low latency audio, Bluetooth aptX support and other solutions.

New emoji inAndroidOreo: Scary Android emoticons are dying. Google is reworking every emoji in the new Android Oreo. In addition to being the first update to support Emoji 5.0, you now get a ton of new emoji designs.

New emoji onAndroid 8.0Oreo.

AndroidOreoVitals: Actively discussed on Google, Vitals is a project that promises to improve device battery life, speed up startup times, graphics display times, and overall device stability.

Rescue Party: Android fixes itself. Rescue Party repairs and patches core Android OS components during boot cycles. With each action, the function burrows deeper until the problem is fixed. As a last resort, it is recommended to change the factory data. This restore is similar to "Latest Stable Version" in Windows.

Downloadable fonts andXML: Developers and producers will have even more control over the font and its design in their applications or devices, as well as in applications. Each application can easily have its own font that will not interfere with the operation of the device.

Fluid Experiences: Allows users to do even more with Android. This includes Picture-in-Picture mode, notification dots, and adaptive icons.

ProjectTreble: A new project that promises to make the Android base modular. The goal is to make it easier for manufacturers to update Android while keeping the base the same and working across all devices and software versions.

AndroidGo: Similar to Android One, Android Go is a new initiative for budget devices. The entire operating system, Google apps and Play Store have been rebuilt for devices with 1GB RAM or less. Premium Android features for every budget.

More gestures for fingerprint scanners: Google is adding new gestures and motions to access Android Oreo.

Above you can see an image provided by Google that teases some features that were not previewed in the developer version of the system. All of them are included in the official release on August 21st. Some of these include a new shared launcher, instant apps in the app tray, new screen animations and brightness improvements, work profiles, and more.

On August 21st, Google pushed Android 8.0 Oreo to AOSP (an open source project) and the over-the-air updates immediately began pouring in. Check for updates now. Alternatively, you can install Android 8.0 yourself if you're not willing to wait.

Now users can only sit back and wait for the new Android 8.0 Oreo update from Google. The Android 8.0 update is arriving in stages, slowly reaching a certain percentage of devices. This solution enables a smooth update process and prevents critical errors. If you haven't figured it out yet, be patient as the update continues to roll out.

All new Nexus and Pixel devices are currently receiving updates. We expect the update to continue to roll out in the coming weeks. Then, over the next 2-3 months, most major manufacturers will roll out Android Oreo to their smartphones and tablets.

Android 8.0 Oreo, released on August 21, is slowly starting to gain momentum in the market. Every year, the largest mobile operating systems (including iOS) receive updates that, albeit slightly, make the process of using a smartphone more comfortable. The release of Android 8.0 was indeed highly anticipated by many, although most of its features were leaked long before the official release. But there were disputes regarding the name until the very day of the presentation, but in the end we got the expected version of Oreo, named after the famous cookie. Today we'd like to discuss what's new in Android 8.0 and take a look at the list of devices that will receive the update.

Android 8.0 is more stable, safer and more energy efficient

At first glance, a person who is especially not interested in operating systems and technologies will not find any differences between Android Oreo. You just need to dig deeper. Nowadays there is nothing particularly surprising about the mobile OS - a couple of bright “chips” in the new version and that’s all. The developers have focused on improving security and optimizing systems so that the user can fully enjoy working with the OS.

To make Android 8.0 faster, Google was actively working to limit power-hungry programs that not only consume smartphone resources, but also significantly affect battery life. The new Doze and Doze technology is used, which intelligently approaches the work with background applications, limiting them. In addition, programs in Android 8.0 have become less likely to request access to other services, including geolocation. It's worth noting that Google apps that like to monitor their users will also be less likely to request your location information.

In general, in Android 8.0 the developers tried to implement as many ideas as possible that will make the version fast, efficient and with a minimum of errors. Naturally, time will pass, a couple of updates will be released before the new product is polished. As always.

Android 8.0 brings new icons and improved quick settings

For ordinary users who do not want to go into the details of each change, visual changes will look more interesting. Here it is worth highlighting adaptive dynamic icons. Familiar application icons, which until now were static in “pure” Android, have learned to move. Choose a visual effect and enjoy.

Even more interesting is the ability to change the shape of the icons. You decide what shape the application icon will be: square, round. Moreover, Android 8.0 introduces the ability to completely change the appearance of the icon, even of system tools. Google is getting closer to users every year, fulfilling our desires.

Here we note that the new version has more options for customizing the lock screen. Now you can not only change the background image, but also set the necessary buttons, as well as their position.

A few changes await us in the notification curtain (about the notifications themselves a little later) of Android 8.0, where the quick settings panel is located. However, you won't find any important innovations here. The developer simply tried to slightly improve what, in principle, was already well done.

New notification system in Android Oreo

The most interesting for many users will be. It actually gets tweaked every year - Google still won't come to a consensus. In Android 8.0, the user will have even more control over notifications. Special channels (classes) have been added that allow you to divide notifications from different applications into categories. The control panel will become cleaner, and it will become more comfortable to work with messages from various programs and games.

Be that as it may, we believe that notification channels in Android Oreo will not be fully usable right away. Initially, only Google services will be able to boast that they will be divided into categories; the rest of the application will probably find refuge in the “Miscellaneous” class for the first time.

A kind of silent mode has been added to Android 8.0, thanks to which you can snooze notifications from applications for a designated period of time (15, 30, 60 minutes). Naturally, you can completely disable notifications from specific applications.

It’s very interesting how we think the indicators for new notifications on application icons look. A counter has appeared next to the icons in Android 8.0, which will show the number of notifications from a specific program. The innovation turned out to be quite useful for many active users, who now only need to look at the application to understand how many new messages have arrived.

Changed settings menu and picture-in-picture in Android 8.0

The settings menu in the new version of Android has been completely redesigned. By the way, Google makes noticeable changes to the settings interface every year. Perhaps we will finally get the perfect option. In Android 8.0, the settings menu has become more organized, clear and convenient. For each function or characteristic of the device, a separate general category has appeared, within which several smaller subcategories are hidden. Everything looks good, although at first it won’t be very comfortable.

We haven’t forgotten about picture-in-picture (PiP) technology, which appeared in Android 8.0 Oreo. Initially it was used in television, but moved to smartphones as the screen diagonal grew. Picture-in-picture technology is a mode when (in the case of televisions) two TV channels are displayed simultaneously (the second in the form of a small window in the corner). On smartphones with Android 8.0, using the technology, it will be possible to work simultaneously with two applications, which will increase productivity. Somewhat reminiscent of the split-screen mode that appeared in Android Nougat.

Other changes in Android 8.0

But this is not all the innovations of Android Oreo. What else did the developers present in the new version of the OS:

• Autocomplete. Do you hate entering your username and password? Android 8.0 introduced support for autofilling forms throughout the system.
• Fingerprint scanner capabilities. In the new version, they seriously worked on expanding the number of gestures that can be used with the fingerprint scanner.
• Kotlin support. A new programming language that is distinguished by conciseness and security, which Java cannot boast to the same extent. This innovation of Android 8.0 will be especially interesting to developers.
• New emoji.

List of devices that will receive the update to Android 8.0 Oreo

Already in September-October 2017 they will receive the long-awaited Android 8.0 firmware. It is clear that among them will be the flagships of Google itself, as well as large companies that are actively collaborating with the developer of the operating system.

Pixel and Nexus

So, in the forefront are the Nexus and . Nexus 5X and 6P will definitely receive an update to Android 8.0. For them it will be the last - the life cycle of these devices is coming to an end. The entire Pixel line will receive a new version (Google is expected to introduce the second generation Pixel in October, which will immediately launch with Android 8.0).

Samsung

At the end of 2017 (early 2018), owners of flagship smartphones will be able to download Android 8.0. The Galaxy S7, S8, Note 8, a line of mid-range devices introduced in 2017 (A, J, C) will receive an update. Most likely, the Samsung Galaxy S6, as well as mid-budget smartphones of previous years, will not be updated to Android Oreo.

LG

This Korean company will likely begin updating its smartphones in the fall of 2017. Naturally, flagships are in line for the update, taking first place. Its simplified versions (Q6, Q6a) will also receive a new version of Android; the V line, as well as last year’s flagship G5, will not be left without an update.

HTC

The manufacturer assured that by the end of 2017 it will update the latest flagship HTC U11 to Android 8.0 Oreo. Already at the beginning of 2018, you should expect a new version on U Ultra, U Play, Desire 10, HTC 10 and some other smartphones. HTC will probably be one of the first companies whose smartphones will receive the coveted G8.

Nokia

HMD, which now owns the Nokia brand, has long announced its close cooperation with Google, which ensured that its smartphones were one of the first to receive operating system updates. Any Nokia owner can download Android 8.0 Oreo. System updates should be expected at the end of 2017 (beginning of 2018).

OnePlus

So far it cannot boast of a large number of released smartphones, but each of them regularly receives system updates. Android 8.0 will be available on OnePlus 3/3T and OnePlus 5 at the beginning of 2018. For the first two, this will probably be the last OS update.

Sony and Motorola

Closer to 2018, devices from these two companies will begin to receive updates to Android 8.0. Among the first are the latest flagships.

Huawei

Many Huawei smartphones will begin receiving updates to Android 8.0 this winter. The company announced a few months ago that it was working on optimizing its own shell for the new version of the OS. The list of devices is quite extensive. Naturally, it includes the latest flagships / P10 Lite / P10 Plus, as well as Mate 9. Most likely, Honor 8/9 will be updated, as well as Nova 2. The latest from the budget lines Y3, Y5 and Y7 will also receive a version.

Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones will most likely not see the update until early 2018. Perhaps the new version will feature new products for the fall, but it’s hard to believe. Mi 6 will be updated, possibly Mi 5S. The Max line of phablets, as well as the flagship Mi Note 2, will not be left without Android 8.0. We hope that the Redmi line will also get Android Oreo in 2018.

The list is regularly updated with other companies. We can say with confidence that there will be no updates for older smartphones and budget-level solutions. There will probably be no updates for little-known device models. Here we can only hope for custom Android 8.0 firmware, which will begin to appear in the next month or two. We wait.

Conclusion

Android 8.0 looks quite interesting, although this version did not make a splash on the mobile OS market. Google simply fixes the shortcomings of previous versions, adding useful features that the user expects. Oreo is just starting to spread, so it’s too early to make a final verdict. Let's see how the new version of the system performs on at least a couple of devices.