Android 7.1 changelog shows Pixel exclusive features, non-exclusive features

When the Google Pixel smartphone line was launched – complete with the new Android 7.1 version that all of you Nougat crunchers have been craving for – we all knew that there would be features in there that would probably remain exclusive to the Pixel smartphones. We just secretly hoped that there would not be a lot of those, and if ever, those could be replicated by third-party means. Well, the official Android 7.1 changelog is out, and we get an official view of what’s Pixel-specific and what’s not.

First up, we’ll show you the official changelog. Ready yourself, it’s kind of a long read.

Pixel product-specific

– Pixel Launcher – swipe up for all apps, new Search Box, date/weather header on home
– Google Assistant
– Unlimited original quality photo/video backup to Google Photos
– Smart Storage – when storage is full, automatically removes old backed up photos/videos
– Phone/Chat support (new support tab in settings), screen-share functionality
– Quick switch adapter for wired setup from Android or iPhone
Pixel Camera:
– Electronic Image Stabilization (“video stabilization”) 2.0
– Pro Features
– White Balance Presets
– Exposure Compensation
– AE/AF Locking
– Viewfinder grid modes
– HW-accelerated (on Qualcomm Hexagon coprocessor) HDR+ image processing
– Smartburst
– Sensor Hub processor with tightly integrated sensors (accel, gyro, mag) + connectivity (Wi-Fi, Cell, GPS)
Cosmetic:
– Solid navbar icons with home affordance for Assistant
– SysUI accent color theming
– Wallpaper picker with new wallpapers and sounds
– New setup look and feel
– Dynamic calendar date icon

Android Nougat 7.1

– Night Light
– Touch/display performance improvements
– Moves (Fingerprint swipe down gesture – opt-in)
– Seamless A/B system updates
– Daydream VR mode
Developer features:
– App shortcuts / shortcut manager APIs
– Circular app icons support
– Keyboard image insertion
– Fingerprint sensor gesture to open/close notification shade
– Manual storage manager Intent for apps
– Improved VR thread scheduling
– Enhanced wallpaper metadata
– Multi-endpoint call support
– Support for various MNO requirements
– PCDMA voice privacy property
– Source type support for Visual Voicemail
– Carrier config options for managing video telephony
– Manual storage manager – identifies apps and files and apps using storage

So to recap, all of these are exclusive to the Pixel and Pixel XL – that is, the Pixel launcher, Google Assistant, unlimited original quality Google Photos backup, Google’s new image stabilization, solid navbar icons, new blue SystemUI theming, wallpaper picker, new setup look, and dynamic calendar date icon. There are some items here that can possibly be achieved via third-party development, but obviously, things like the unlimited original quality backup cannot be replicated.

If your device has Nougat and it finally updates to Android 7.1, you will get some improvements like the Night Light feature, improvements to touch and display performance, fingerprint swipe down gesture, a Daydream VR mode, and a “manual storage manager.” Developers can also activate features such as circular app icons, among others.

VIA: Android Police