Android O to be officially called as Android Oreo; New features, roll out details and more

The wait is now over as we finally have a name for the latest version of the Android operating system by Google. As scheduled, the search engine giant yesterday night announced that the latest Android 8.0 will be officially called as Android Oreo. The developers preview and the ‘Public Beta’ version of Android Oreo was already rolled out a couple of months ago and the only wait was for its name and public availability. So let’s look at some new features of the Android Oreo and also try to find out when actually your phone will receive the update.

For those unaware, the Android version 8.0 comes with a lot of new features like picture-in-picture, smart text selection and notification dots. While we saw most of the features in the developers preview and the beta roll out, there is nothing new in final version except the fact that it is more stable now.

Talking about the features, first we have the Smart Text selection feature which basically takes the traditional copy and paste method to a whole new level. The OS will automatically select the desired text just by double tapping the screen, may it be a name, address or a phone number. Apart from this, the OS will also track the selected address in Google maps through a shortcut access.

Then comes the picture-in-picture mode which allows the user to multitask seamlessly. Users can watch a video while using other applications like WhatsApp, Facebook, Notes, etc. After this is the Notification Dots feature which notifies about unnoticed alerts of any app present on the device by showing a Dot indicating that the user has missed a particular alert of the app. Google also introduced the Vitals on Android Oreo, in order to enhance battery life and security on an Android device.

There is also the TensorFlow Lite, a technology that uses the company’s new neural network API to power the new generation of Android devices. This technology intends to improve the user experience by taking the advantage of machine learning.

The next big question is, when the smartphones will receive Android Oreo update? So as per Google, the one’s who have enrolled themselves for the Android Oreo beta program will soon receive the update and their devices will automatically be updated to the stable build of Android Oreo.

Apart from this, the update, obviously will be rolling for all the current Pixel and Nexus devices soon, including the Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and Nexus Player. Google also stated that it has been working closely with partners and hardware makers including Huawei, HTC, Essential, General Mobile, HMD Global, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony are all scheduled to launch or upgrade devices to Android Oreo by the end of the year.

We’ll keep you updated with more on Android Oreo and other tech news around the world, stay tuned!