Skip to main content

Android Oreo officially arrives, but it isn't on phones just yet

Android Oreo officially arrives, but it isn't on phones just yet

/

Builds for Pixel and Nexus devices enter carrier testing, rollout imminent

Share this story

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Google is pushing Android Oreo, the official name of the next version of its mobile OS, out of developer preview / public beta and onto its Android Open Source Project today. The company also confirmed that builds for Pixel and Nexus 5X / 6P have entered carrier testing, meaning over-the-air rollout should be happening “soon,” including updates for Nexus Player and Pixel C devices.

As promised from Google I/O, Android Oreo brings feature updates including notification dots on app icons, picture-in-picture mode, Android Instant App compatibility, and an autofill tool to help quickly and securely enter passwords and other personal information. The OS will also limit background apps from overusing your device’s battery to help extend charge. But most controversially (in my opinion, anyway), the official arrival of Android Oreo marks the death of the blob emoji, with more than 60 redesigned versions replacing the flat-designed blob faces and animal emoji.

The final version of Android Oreo will also roll out to those in the beta program today. For more information on how to download it to your device, check out Google’s blog for instructions. For everyone else waiting to receive OTA updates on their non-Google phones, get comfortable. The wait for wider rollouts begins.