Nexus 6P Android 8.0 Oreo Release Moving Slowly
The Nexus 6P Android 8.0 Oreo release is moving slowly and
some owners won’t see the update prompt popup for a few more days at least.
Google’s posted the Android 8.0 Oreo factory images and OTA
files which means Nexus 6P users can sideload the software onto the device
ahead of the Over-the-Air (OTA) roll out.
While some Nexus 6P users have chosen to manually install
Android 8.0 Oreo, many others are waiting for the update to roll out OTA. If
you’re waiting for a prompt to appear on your device, you might have to wait
until the second week of September.
Canadian carrier Rogers recently updated its Android update
schedule and the company currently lists a Nexus 6P Android 8.0 Oreo update
with a September 11th release date. This date is tentative and it’s dependent
on testing behind the scenes.
While Rogers has confirmed a precise release date for its
Nexus 6P Android Oreo update, other carriers are providing vague information to
their customers.
Australian carrier Optus recently confirmed plans to release
Android 8.0 Oreo for the Nexus 6P but the carrier declined to offer a specific
release date.
Other vocal carriers like Vodafone Australia, Telstra, and
T-Mobile have yet to confirm their plans for the Nexus 6P and Android 8.0 Oreo.
Google’s OTA updates can take a few weeks to finish up so we
could see some updates roll out a little later than that September 11th date in
Canada.
It appears these Nexus 6P Android 8.0 Oreo updates could
feature the latest security updates from Google.
Rogers says it’s planning to deliver a new security update
to the Nexus 6, a device that isn’t getting the bump to Android Oreo, on
September 5th. Google hasn’t confirmed its September security patch but there’s
a good chance it’ll start rolling out in and around that date.
Given Rogers’ timing, we could see some carriers bundle the
September security patches inside their Nexus 6P Android 8.0 updates.
The Nexus 6P’s Android 8.0 Oreo update will be more than
security updates. Google’s new operating system is loaded up with new features
including new emojis, improvements to notifications, security enhancements,
Picture-in-Picture mode, and other performance improvements.
Nothing is confirmed but Android Oreo could be the last
major operating system upgrade for the Nexus 6P and Google’s Nexus 5X.
Google says it can’t guarantee Android version updates for
the two devices after September, 2017 which means an official move to the
company’s Android P update is unlikely.
That said, Google says plans to push security patches to the
Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X through September, 2018 which means we they will likely
get a full year of new Android 8.0 Oreo builds
Install Android Oreo to Improve Performance
One of the best reasons to install the Nexus 6P Android 8.0
Oreo update right away is to improve your device's performance.
Android Oreo is loaded up with optimizations that could make
your phone boot faster, run faster, and conserve more battery life.
With the Android Oreo update on board your device could boot
up to two times faster than it did on Android Nougat. It could also help your
phone's applications open faster and run smoother.
One of the crown jewels of Android Oreo is a feature called
called Background Limits. Android 8.0 allows you to limit how often your apps
check for your location, scan for Wi-Fi networks, and access data. This will
help your Nexus 6P conserve battery life.
Install Oreo if
You're Dealing with Nougat Problems
If your Android Nougat issues go beyond problems with your
device's battery life or UI speed, you'll probably want to give Android 8.0
Oreo a shot.
The Android Oreo change log that appears in your OTA prompt
won't talk about bug fixes for lingering Nougat problems. It focuses on the new
features. That said, there's a chance the Android Oreo update will squash the
problems you're facing on Nougat.
In the past, we've seen Android updates iron out issues that
aren't listed on the change log. For instance, Android Oreo could fix busted
Wi-Fi, GPS, or Bluetooth connectivity. It could also fix random reboot issues
or sound problems.
Install Android Oreo for Better Security
If you store sensitive information on your Nexus 6P and
value your privacy/security, Android Oreo is definitely worth an install.
If you want Android Oreo you'll be forced to download any
monthly security patches you missed a long the way.
If you're bad about keeping your phone updated with the
latest software, you can read more about these security updates on Google's
Android Security Bulletin.
The Android 8.0 Oreo update also comes with some security
features of its own. One of those features is called Google Play Protect.
Google's built Play Protect into Oreo and the service works
in the background to protect the data you store on your Nexus 6P.
If it determines something is amiss your Nexus 6P will show
you a prompt so that you can take care of the issue and better protect your
files. The service also scans billions of Android applications daily to ensure
they're safe to download onto your device. .
The Android 8.0 update also includes a useful Wi-Fi
Assistant that secures your Wi-Fi connection with a VPN back to Google whenever
you use an open Wi-Fi network. It also prevents hostile downloader apps from
operating on your device without your permission.
Install It for the
New Emojis
The Android Oreo update is stacked but we want to highlight
a few standout features that make the upgrade worth it.
If you hate the yellow blob emojis from previous versions of
Android you're going to absolutely love Android Oreo.
Android 8.0 features 60+ new emoji characters to send to
your friends, family, and co-workers. The list includes a dinosaur, an
exploding head, a wizard, and a fairy.
Best of all, most of Android's emojis have been redesigned
and now look far better than their yellow blog counterparts.
This is one of the biggest upgrades from Android Nougat and
it's a great reason to upgrade to Oreo and stay on Android Oreo.
Install Android Oreo for Picture-in-Picture
Picture-in-Picture isn't a new concept but Android Oreo
brings it to the Nexus 6P for the first time.
Android TV featured Picture-in-Picture mode on Nougat but
Android Oreo finally brings it to Google's Nexus devices.
With Android Oreo on board your device you can now see two
applications on your screen at once. For instance, you can take video calls in
an app like Google Duo (it'll minimize the app and show the person in a small
box) while browsing the web or playing select games.
The windows aren't static. You can also move them around
your screen and you can make the window smaller or larger depending on the
situation.
The Picture-in-Picture feature doesn't work with every
single app but we expect support updates to trickle out as we push away from
the release.
Don't Install Android Oreo If You're Unprepared
Again, most of you will want to make the upgrade right now
or soon after your OTA arrives. But again, there are some people who might
benefit from waiting.
If you haven't prepared yourself, and your device, for
Android 8.0 Oreo, hold off on an install until you've properly prepared.
Android 8.0 comes with a ton of changes and it's virtually
impossible to predict how it will treat your Nexus 6P. This is precisely why
you'll want to get familiar with Android 8.0's changes and ensure your backups
are in place.
We've put together a game plan that takes you step-by-step
through the process we take before we install Android updates.
Don't Install If You're Afraid of Problems
Android Oreo could be a lifesaver if you're dealing with
Android Nougat problems. It could also have a negative effect on your Nexus 6P.
If you're having an excellent experience on Android Nougat, you might want to
wait for more feedback to emerge before making the move.
Now that we're a few days removed from the release we're
hearing about the many Android Oreo problems plaguing the Nexus 6P.
Nexus 6P owners are complaining about a variety of Android
Oreo problems including severe battery drain, random reboots, issues with
Bluetooth, and more.
Dig into this feedback and decide if moving to Android 8.0
is worth the risk right now.
Some of you might want to wait fore more long-term feedback
to arrive. Others might want to think about waiting for the first Android 8.0
bug fix update to roll out.
Don't Install Oreo
If You're Traveling
If you're in the midst of traveling it might be a good idea
to hold off on an Android 8.0 Oreo update until you're back at home base.
Android 8.0 has the potential to break the apps and services
you're relying on for your trip. Be it business or pleasure. It also has the
potential to wreck your phone's performance, something that could be
problematic if you're relying on it for business or to get around a new city.
The last thing you want to be doing on a trip is
troubleshooting or spending time trying to downgrade to Android Nougat.
