Earlier this week, Google announced the new Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, and while Google would have you believe that absolutely everything about the new pair were “Made by Google”, that isn’t 100% true. Sure, Google designed these devices themselves, as well as took care of the software, but they had to have HTC actually make the device. This is an arrangement different to the HTC Nexus 9 of course, as there’s zero HTC branding anywhere to be found on the Pixel or the Pixel XL and their packaging. Even so, a big order like this has no doubt helped HTC’s bottom line, and could give their financials into 2017 a bit of a boost as well. It seems as though HTC might be getting a little more out of it than just a big order however.
Popular HTC ROM developer, LllabTooFer took to Twitter not too long ago to suggest that the HTC 10 was going to be the first smartphone on the market – outside of the Nexus line of devices, of course – to get the update to Android 7.0 Nougat. This would put HTC ahead of Samsung as well as LG, Motorola and Sony, but it would be impressive in and of itself if HTC can pull this off before anyone else as the HTC 10 has a number of extensive changes to Android that arguably made it a better phone. Given that Samsung as well as HTC smartphones have now been spotted in benchmark databases running Android 7.0, it wouldn’t surprise us if updates to some of the most popular smartphones are just around the corner.
On top of this, the developer in question also noted that there will be no update from Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow straight to Android 7.1 Nougat. This is likely to only relate to the HTC 10 of course, but there’s a chance that other manufacturers will be choosing the same path, as they will already be working on hard on the update to Android 7.0 Nougat. As for Android 7.1, it’s unclear just what devices that aren’t of the Pixel variety will be getting out of it, as it appears the Google Assistant will remain a Pixel exclusive feature until 2017 at the very least.