We are receiving the first reports that Google has started rolling out the software update to Android One devices, starting with the Cherry Mobile One G1. The Android One devices, like the Nexus devices, are maintained straight from Google rather than involving the device manufacturer or the carrier. This means that the devices tend to receive their software updates earlier than most other devices, with Google updating the Android One devices after the Nexus family. Google released Android 7.0 Nougat for the Nexus smartphones from the 22nd of August and now, almost three weeks later, the new operating system is being released for the second level of devices. The over-the-air download is approximately 750 MB in size so customers are recommended to use a solid Wi-Fi network rather than mobile data for the download. If Google follow their usual pattern, the software upgrade will be rolled out to customer devices over the next few days.
Android 7.0 Nougat brings about it a number of improvements to the Android platform over and above 6.0 Marshmallow, including improvements to notifications whereby customers can do much more from the notification drop down menu. Google have also improved Android’s power management by including an interim doze mode, which is designed to save power when the screen is locked but the device is still being moved. Android Marshmallow’s doze mode only kicks in after over half an hour of the device not being moved, but is reset when the device is picked up. There are also many new emojis incorporated into the operating system, improvements to system performance and the ability to show two applications on the screen at the same time, in common with the more powerful Nexus devices.
The Cherry Mobile One G1 is a second generation Android One device, based around a quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, 2 GB of RAM and a 5.0-inch, 720p HD display. There’s a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front facing camera. The device is powered by a removable 2,500 mAh rechargeable battery and has dual SIM cards, including LTE compatibility. In terms of the software, Android One devices are very Nexus-like: they offer a stock user interface and because of this, are generally smooth and fluid in use, even with the relatively lightweight hardware.