A version of the Android operating system | |
Developer | |
---|---|
General availability |
August 22, 2016 |
Latest release | 7.1.1 (NMF26X) / February 6, 2017 |
Latest preview | 7.1.2 (NPG05F) / February 24, 2017 |
Preceded by | Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow" |
Official website | Official website |
Support status | |
Supported |
Android 7.0 - 7.1.2 "Nougat" (codenamed Android N during development) is the seventh major version of the Android operating system. First released as a beta build on March 9, 2016, it was officially released on August 22, 2016, with Nexus devices being the first to receive the update, though the LG V20 was the first new smartphone released with Nougat.
Nougat introduces notable changes to the operating system and its development platform, including the ability to display multiple apps on-screen at once in a split-screen view, support for inline replies to notifications, as well as an OpenJDK-based Java environment and support for the Vulkan graphics rendering API, and "seamless" system updates on supported devices.
On March 9, 2016, ahead of the Google I/O developer conference, Google released the first beta of Android "N" as part of a new "Android Beta Program" intended for testing by developers and enthusiasts before official release "this summer". The developer preview builds were compatible with only current Google Nexus devices; the 5X, 6P, 6, 9, Pixel C, and Nexus Player. The "Android Beta Program" that was introduced allows testers to opt-in for over-the-air updates to new beta versions as they are released.
On April 13, 2016, Android N Beta Preview 2 was released. Google further discussed Android "N" during the I/O keynote on May 18, 2016, and unveiled its new virtual reality platform Daydream. Beta Preview 3, the first preview release deemed suitable for wider public beta testing, was released at this time. Google also announced that it would hold a contest to determine the official release name of the operating system.