Google releases developer's preview for Android Oreo 8.1; Know what's new

New Delhi : Ahead of the mobile software's release to the public in December, Google has started rolling out the latest developer preview Android Oreo 8.1, the media reported. The final rollout will take place in December but until then the Android Beta Program users can test it now. 

The recently released developer preview is only compatible with the devices Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL.

The developer preview can also be downloaded and flashed to your device or loaded through the Android emulator, tech website zdnet.com reported on Wednesday.

Google has pegged two developer previews for Android 8.1.

Google said the first release is a beta "with APIs" and promises a second beta sometime in November.

The update brings some major fixes and improvements over the Android 8.0. 

What looks to be the biggest part of the update, the Neural Networks API will likely allow the new Pixel 2 to take advantage of the "Pixel Visual Core" SOC that isn't enabled yet. 

It will enhance Google's photo apps and eventually will allow third-party photography apps to take HDR+ quality images, zdnet.com reported.

There are also few crucial features that the update lacks like the option to toggle WiFi if the device is not used for long. 

Android Oreo 8.1 also brings the Bluetooth battery level. The battery bar is seen in Quick Settings.

The update makes the navigation bar look compact with smaller icons and there is auto-dimming feature now that automatically lowers the brightness of the home, return and recent button when the phone's screen is not touched for some time.

(With inpuits from agencies)