Google Inc has started to roll out the Android 8.1 developer preview beta 1 for both Pixel and Nexus devices. The first developer preview comes out earlier than Google had previously announced and another preview is expected to arrive in the following weeks before the release of the final Android 8.1 Oreo upgrade.
Several new APIs fill Android 8.1. One of the most exciting APIs (application programming interface) is the new Neural Networks that are targeted to deliver more advanced on-device machine learning, which Apple Inc has also been working on for iOS 11.
Also read: Samsung to skip Android 7.1.2 Nougat, jump to Android 8.0 Oreo for Galaxy devices
In particular, the Pixel Visual Core support for third-party apps could be used to port the flagship phone's cutting-edge HDR+ photography feature to any apps, not only Google's own camera software. Another advantage that this new support will offer is that users will no longer be required to jump from one app to another just to take better photos and share them on social media.
Android 8.1 developer preview 2 is slated to be rolled out in November or December. By then, APIs are expected to be close to their final development phase with AOSP and OEM versions ready before the end of 2018.
Meantime, there have been reported issues when flashing the factory image on Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google's latest offerings. However, users are encouraged to hold on their horses if they want to try first-hand what Android 8.1 will bring soon.
Below are links to over-the-air images of Android 8.1:
Below are the links to factory images of Android 8.1:
- Pixel 2 Factory Image
- Pixel 2 XL Factory Image
- Nexus 5X Factory Image
- Nexus 6P Factory Image
- Pixel XL Factory Image
- Pixel C Factory Image
- Pixel Factory Image
Now you are ready to install or flash Android 8.1 on your devices!
