Android Nougat release date, updates: Android 7.1 and Google's Pixel lineup having simultaneous launch?

Promotional image for the Android 7.0 NougatTwitter/android

It is expected that Google will officially reveal the new Pixel lineup this week. Speculations suggest that with the new flagship comes an update announcement for Android 7.1.

Phandroid reports that, as expected, Google will update the new Android Nougat platform from its 7.0 base version. Interestingly, however, the tech giant may surprise fans by launching the 7.1 update earlier than expected. Supposedly, some enterprising developers have stumbled upon source codes listing the new version in its test stage. The Android 7.1 version itself is seemingly already live in the Google Play Developer console since the platform is already one of the choices in the drop-down menu for platform selection.

Prior to the supposed listing, Android Nougat 7.1 is already being rumored to be coming out with the new Google Pixel flagships. Allegedly, the new Pixel and Pixel XL flagships will come out with Android 7.1 already onboard. While Google has yet to comment on the rumor, it dovetails with supposed leaks of the new platform. This means that when the new Google smartphone flagships come out this week, Android 7.1 will become official.

However, even with an update already out, Google will still need to schedule a staggered release for the update to make it to other Android-run devices. The tech giant is supposedly still having issues with Android 7.0 update on some of its Nexus devices. Meanwhile, although most third-party tech makers like Samsung and HTC have promised an Android Nougat update before the year ends, the new platform has yet to make it to their smartphone lineups.

As for the new Pixel lineup, an Android 7.1 platform right out of the box means that the new flagships will be the first ones to carry an updated Android platform. An updated platform fits with other supposed top-notch features of the lineup, including a step-up Snapdragon 821 chipset and 4 GB of RAM.