Android 7.0 Nougat update starts rolling out, Nexus devices will be the first to get it

The Android 7.0 Nougat OS version has finally moved out of beta and has started rolling out to general users. Search giant Google announced the same on its official blog post.

The new Android OS version will reach the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and General Mobile 4G (Android One). The OTA (Over The Air) update will be incremental and will take some time to hit all the devices depending on the region and carriers. Google also adds that the LG V20 will be the first non-Google smartphone to come with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. Those devices enrolled for Android Beta programme will also receive the final consumer version.

The rollout of Android 7.0 Nougat ahead of Google's usual time frame is surprising. With the new OS version hitting the existing Nexus devices within days, the upcoming Nexus models seems to have lost their key selling point.

The company explained that it invited developers for the new OS in March this year so that they could bring their apps to the new platform earlier. "And of course we asked you to help us come up with names for this year's release, resulting in lots of great ideas, and a delicious unveiling back in June," said Sameer Samat, VP of product management, Android & Google Play on the blog post.

To let users take a deeper look at what the Android 7.0 Nougat is all about, Google has also created a dedicated website for the OS, showcasing some of its key new features. The website talks about improvements made in the field of smartphone performance, battery & data, notifications, security, productivity, accessibility and more in the Android Nougat.

The new OS version will bring 'smart notification management' and replying options, 72 new Emoji characters, multi-window view with quick switching between apps, better 3D graphic performance with Vulkan API, new Virtual Reality mode for Daydream-supporting handsets, improved battery-saving Doze feature, data saving feature, display size adjustment, and file-based encryption for better security among others.