Android Oreo 8.1 is officially released, here are all the new features
We’re excited to announce that this software experience—Android Oreo (Go edition)—is ready, and launching as a part of the Android 8.1 release tomorrow.
The post was written in the small hours of today (December 5th), meaning that owners of Pixel and Nexus phones should start receiving notifications for the update very soon. There isn't an official changelog present at the moment, but we have a pretty good idea of what Oreo 8.1 should bring thanks to the two Developer Previews that were released so far.
Here's a list of the changes that we should see in Android Oreo 8.1:
- Neural Networks API - allows apps to take advantage of hardware acceleration, which should reduce latency, network loads, and keep sensitive data on the device itself. If your phone features a dedicated AI chip, the API will be able to take advantage of it. If not, it will put the load on the CPU.
- Pixel Visual Core - Google’s first custom-designed co-processor (present on Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL) for machine learning and image processing is now available to third-party developers. Apps that use the Android Camera API will be able to shoot in HDR+.
- Safer browsing - This feature allows apps to detect WebView attempts which could navigate to known bad URLs.
- Apps are now limited to one notification alert sound per second.
- Bluetooth battery indicator in Quick Settings - If you have a Bluetooth device connected to your phone, you'll be able to see how much battery it has left straight from the Quick Settings shade.
- Improvements to autofill.
- Fingerprint scanner security improvement - users will be able to permanently lock out anyone who fails to unlock the device with an unregistered fingerprint multiple times.
- Colors menu added to Display tab in Settings for Pixel 2 and 2 XL. Three options available - Natural, Boosted, and Saturated.
- Fixed an issue with Nexus 5X not playing audio through the speaker.
- Fixed an issue with Pixel 2/2 XL audio distortion in video playback.
- Fixes for hamburger and beer emojis.
Owners of Pixel and Nexus devices should be first in line to receive the update, but we're hoping to see version 8.1 land on other Oreo-powered phones in the coming weeks as well.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: