New features in Android Nougat 7.1

Android Nougat 7.1 does not equal to Pixel phone (or Pixel XL) phones

Android Nougat 7.1 was released with Google’s Pixel (and Pixel XL) phones on October 4, 2016.  It is actually an incremental maintenance release for Android Nougat 7.0.

So, you should not expect so many new features in Android Nougat 7.1 as in 7.0.

Because new features in Android Nougat 7.1 were mixed with Pixel phone’s unique (exclusive) features, some users are a bit confused on the new features in Android Nougat 7.1.

This Android Nougat guide will explain to you the new features in Android Nougat 7.1 (compared to Android Nougat 7.0) and exclusive features of Pixel (and Pixel XL) phones.

Top 5 new features in Android Nougat 7.1

In addition to general bug fixes, the major new features in Android Nougat 7.1 include night light, fingerprint swipe down gesture, Daydream VR mode,  app shortcuts support, circular app icons support.

#1. Night Light

In Android Nougat 7.1, you can add blue light filter to your screen. This may be good for health of your eyes according to this post because of “exposure to blue light at night, emitted by electronics and energy-efficient lightbulbs, harmful to your health”.

Although I am not fully convinced by such researches, I do feel more comfortable when the ambient is dark if night light is turned on. This Android Nougat 7.1 new feature will make the display a bit yellowish.

So, night light, as suggested by the name, is nice for reading when the ambient light is turned off.

Just FYI, the abandoned Galaxy Note 7 also have this similar feature although it was running Android Marshmallow.

Please note, as many other Android features, some Android vendors may not implement this night light feature in Android Nougat 7.1 phones.

#2. Fingerprint swipe down gesture

In Android Nougat 7.1, you can swipe down on the fingerprint scanner from any screen to see your notifications (access notification shade).

Of course, this requires a fingerprint scanner.

But some fingerprint scanner may not support this feature. At least Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X will not get this feature.

#3. Daydream VR mode

Daydream VR mode was mentioned in Android Nougat 7.0. But it is fully functional only in Android Nougat 7.1

For Daydream VR mode, there are two types of Android Nougat phones:

• Daydream VR ready. The phone is certified for Daydream VR mode. It requires the device to pass some tests. The display should be responsive enough.  And the phone must have sufficient processing power (CPU/GPU).
• Daydream VR compatible. The phone can be used for Daydream VR mode. But the experience may be not optimal. For example, all current LCD panels cannot meed the low-power consumption requirements. So, currently only phones with LED panels can certified as Daydream VR ready. But for most users, you can still enjoy Daydream VR in decent phones with LCD display.

Please note, currently, only Google released Daydream VR viewer. Other vendors may release their own models in coming months.

#4. App shortcuts

Android Nougat 7.1 also update the API level to 25 (Android Nougat 7.0 is on 24).

Some new features in Android Nougat 7.1 were added for developers.

One of the most useful new features for developers is app shortcuts support.

App shortcuts like context menu on the home screen. The developer can define shortcuts to specific actions in the app. These shortcuts can be displayed in a supported launcher. Currently, Google Now launcher and Pixel launcher support this feature.

When a user tap and hold the app in the home screen, these shortcuts will be shown and can be used just like a context menu.

#5. Circular app icons support

Yes, circular app icons support was also added in API level 25.

The developers now have more choices for their app icons.

Exclusive features of Pixel (and Pixel XL) phones that are not part of Android Nougat 7.1

As mentioned, Google Pixel and Pixel XL phones have some exclusive features that are not part of Android Nougat 7.1.

Of course, these features may be ported back to future Android versions.

Currently, the exclusive features of Pixel and Pixel XL phones include:

• Pixel Launcher. Although this launcher was released in Play store, it is only for Pixel and Pixel XL phones.
• Google Assistant. You can use Google Now and screen search.  Google assistant is available inside Allo, which is available for most Android phones.
• Unlimited original quality photo/video backup to Google Photos.
• Pixel Camera app.
• Smart Storage. When the internal  storage is full, Pixel phone automatically removes old backed up photos/videos.
• Phone/Chat support.
• Quick switch adapter for wired setup from Android or iPhone.
• Dynamic calendar date icon.

Anyway, some of these features requires special hardware, for example, camera app, and probably will not be ported back to Android. Google always leaves this to individual vendors.

What’s your thought on new features in Android Nougat 7.1? Do you know the difference between Android Nougat 7.1 new features and Pixel phone exclusive features now?

If you have any questions on new features in Android Nougat 7.1, or if you want to share your thoughts on Android Nougat 7.1 new features, please let us know in the comment box below.

For questions on Android Nougat (Android 7.0 and 7.1), please check Android Nougat guides page.

For questions on Android Marshmallow (Android 6.0), please check Android Marshmallow guide page.

For question on Android Lollipop (Android 5.0 and 5.1), please check Android Lollipop guide page.

For other Android questions or problems, please check Android 101 page.

Please note, this is a owner-help-owner community. If you need official technical support or have warranty/sales related questions, please contact the vendor directly.