Google releases Android 8.1 Developer Preview 2 for its Nexus and Pixel devices

Google today launched Android 8.1 Developer Preview 2 for all the compatible Nexus and Pixel devices. The update sports the build number OPP6.171019.012. Factory Images for all the compatible device’s are available for download on ‘developer.android.com/preview/download.html’, however, the OTA option is not yet out. The compatible devices include – Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X.

If you don’t want to flash your smartphone to the update, no worries, you can simply sign up for Google’s Android Beta Program. Under this program, users will be getting the new beta update via OTA after a day or two from the Factory Images being released. This method is much easier and safer than flashing your smartphone with the new update.

Google’s Android 8.1 Developer Preview 2 comes with the following two new features:
The Pixel Visual Core: This helps the developers test their apps against Google’s first custom-designed co-processor for image processing and machine learning. This feature was expected in the first beta but got delayed  and moved to the second one.

Neural Network API fixes: These new fixes will help the device in having much better and newer neural network APIs.

Also Read: HTC U11 to receive Android 8.0 Oreo on November 27

Currently, Android 8.1 is still in beta, which means it will have a few bugs here and there. However, due to this being the version 2 of the Developer Preview, it should be much more stable than the first Developer Preview beta of Android 8.1. Google has said that this is the final-system image for final testing. The company has slated Android 8.1 to launch in December, which means that soon every eligible device will be able to get Android 8.1.