Google Android 7.0 Nougat is coming… and it may be coming as soon as Monday. Google has been offering developer preview versions of Android N since March, unveiled the name of the OS in June, and let us know that the operating system would officially launch this summer.
Now multiple sources are indicating that launch day is Monday, August 22nd.
Canadian wireless carrier Telus has issued a new version of its software update schedule, which says that the Google Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X smartphones will receive an update to “Android N” on August 22nd.
This is the same company that correctly spilled the beans about the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update last year.
Meanwhile, as Android Central points out, LG has recently announced an Android 7.0 preview program for South Korean LG G5 smartphone users. Guess when it starts: August 22nd.
All told, it’s looking pretty likely that Google will release Android 7.0 for its most recent Nexus phones on August 22nd. The source code for the operating system will also likely roll out that day, which means that other phone makers will likely start rolling out their own updates soon… and custom ROM builders will probably start developing their own Android 7.0-based software too.
The next version of Android brings a number of new features, including native support for viewing more than one app window at a time, faster system updates (since you won’t have to wait through the “optimizing apps” screen), and improvements for multitasking, quick settings, and more. There’s also finally a way to clear all apps from the recents menu at once.
Google is also working on a new launcher for Nexus smartphones and some other Nexus-specific features. But it’s likely that Google will roll these out with the launch of its next-gen Nexus smartphones rather than with the release of Android 7.0.
The company is expected to introduce new 5 inch and 5.5 inch smartphones built in partnership with HTC later this year.