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Google Assistant starts rolling out to Android M and N devices
It's here: native support for Google Assistant officially started rolling out to Android phones running Marshmallow or Nougat on Thursday. As Engadget noted earlier in the week, Google's conversational digital assistant no longer needs a Pixel phone or the Allo app to work, but you may need to check your phone's specs before you get access.
Android 7.1.1 is rolling out now
Google's excellent Pixel phones launched with Android 7.1, a minor update to Nougat that nevertheless included a few handy features. Now, Google has announced that Android 7.1.1 has started rolling out to other Android phones and provide a lot of those features to more users. Specifically, the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus Player, Pixel C and General Mobile 4G (Android One) will all start getting the latest version of Android soon.
Samsung launches Android 7.0 beta program for S7 and S7 edge
If you have a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, you might be able to give your device an Android Nougat refresh before everyone else. Samsung's Galaxy Beta Program is now available for S7 users, but only in the US, the UK and the company's home country of Korea, though it will soon launch in China, as well.
LG's new flagship V20 will retail for $769
We got our hands on LG's Android Nougat-equipped V20 last month and found a solidly built (if somewhat conservative) new flagship device. Now that the V20 is getting ready for its public debut on October 28th, we can finally nail down how much this thing costs: at launch, a full retail price V20 can be yours for a cool $769.
Android 7.0 Nougat arrives today
Typically, Google releases new versions of Android alongside new Nexus hardware, but the company is breaking with tradition this year. Android 7.0 Nougat is rolling out as an over the air update starting today. The update is available to anyone using the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6 phones as well as the Nexus 9 and Pixel C tablets. It's also coming to the Nexus Player set-top box and the General Mobile 4G Android One smartphone.
LG's V20 smartphone may be as modular as the G5 (updated)
Just a few days ago, LG revealed that it will introduce its first Android Nougat phone in San Francisco on September 6th. The V20 is said to come with similar dual-screen, dual-selfie camera features as its predecessor, the V10. And now, thanks to OnLeaks and Android Authority, we're getting a first look at purported renders of the device. Most notably, the 5.7-inch V20 appears to have a modular design, based on a button placement reminiscent to that of LG's newly minted G5.
Android Nougat won't boot your phone if its software is corrupt (updated)
Ever since KitKat, Android has verified your device's boot process to make sure that rootkits and other forms of malware don't operate undetected. However, it hasn't done much more than alert you of potential problems (as of Marshmallow)... until now. Google explains that Android Nougat strictly enforces that boot check, giving you far more than just a warning. If your boot image or partition is corrupt, Android will either start in a limited-use mode (with your permission) or won't start at all. The feature will first show up in devices that ship with Nougat out of the box.
Try a near-final version of Android Nougat right now
Android Nougat is almost here. A post on the Android Developers blog has the operating system's final developer preview build listed for download, which means that a bulk of the bugs and kinks we saw during our demo period should be mostly worked out. However, because it's still technically a preview, there aren't any guarantees of stability. The build includes system images for devices eligible for the beta program -- even those outside the Nexus purview.
Samsung won me with VR but is losing me with updates
I want to get a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, I really do. I like my Galaxy S6 Edge, with its striking curved screen, and the new model improves on it in nearly every way. Most importantly, I like to dabble in virtual reality -- I'm not ready to commit $700+ to a PC-based headset yet -- and I can still get a new Gear VR headset free with the S7 Edge. Shamefully, though, my S6 Edge hasn't received an update to Android 6.01 Marshmallow, leaving me high and dry with Lollipop. I certainly didn't expect that with a $800 flagship phone, and I refuse to let it happen again.
