Android Nougat 7.1 release date: Developer preview will be available in late October

A promotional image for the Android NougatFacebook/AndroidOfficial

Although third-party devices have yet to update to the base version of Android Nougat, Google is already readying the first version update for the new platform. The company has already confirmed that Android 7.1 will start rolling out this month.

However, as with previous Android platform iterations, the Android Nougat 7.1 version will start with a developer preview. Announcing the schedule on the Google Android Developers page, it is confirmed that the first developer preview for the update version will start to roll out to beta testers later in October. However, it is unclear if it will be the developer itself for an Android Nougat 7.1.1 version or only an incremental update for the Android 7.1.0 platform that had its debut on the Google Pixel and Pixel XL.

Meanwhile, the announcement also mentions that the Android 7.1 version may have a number of developer previews before the final version launches, much like how Google rolled out developer previews for the Android Nougat 7.0 base version.

The post reveals that "At the final release of the Android 7.1.x platform, due in early December, we'll roll out updates to the full lineup of supported devices." At the end of the year, the full version of Android Nougat 7.1.x will update the Pixel and Pixel XL, as well as previous-gen devices like the Pixel C, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 5X. The Android Nougat 7.1.x is also compatible with the Nexus 9, Nexus 6, and Android One.

With Google readying a new update to its new Android Nougat platform, it is expected that third-party tech makers like Samsung and HTC will be ready to roll out their own version for Android Nougat 7.0. The two tech giants are among the first to announce early adoption to the new Android platform, though specific rollout dates are yet to be announced. However, even without concrete release details, tech makers have already announced an update to Android Nougat before the year ends.