Android N [Preview] available for download!

[tbayrgs]

Shame the GPE program never took off. =T

Frankly, because most people don't care specifically about 'stock Android'. I never hear anyone I know that uses Android complain about software bloat, that TouchWiz or Sense lags (I could probably ask 10 random Galaxy or Note users what they think about TouchWiz and I guarantee at least 9 out of 10 response will be 'What's TouchWiz?'). Hell, many people refer to all non iPhone's as 'Droids'. Ask general consumers about Nexus devices and you'll probably get the same quizzical look you got when you asked about TouchWiz.

The dearth of quality hardware running stock Android is a geek or tech nerd's problem. GPE didn't take off because it didn't sell. It didn't sell because they were comparatively expensive (they factor in most consumer's decision) and sold through a single online channel. It's the same reason why the Nexus has never sold in significant quantities. And unless Google really pushes...I mean, put some serious capital behind it...to mimic Apple's vertical strategy, stock Android on the highest quality hardware is probably not coming any time soon.

 

[gotluck]

Frankly, because most people don't care specifically about 'stock Android'. I never hear anyone I know that uses Android complain about software bloat, that TouchWiz or Sense lags (I could probably ask 10 random Galaxy or Note users what they think about TouchWiz and I guarantee at least 9 out of 10 response will be 'What's TouchWiz?'). Hell, many people refer to all non iPhone's as 'Droids'. Ask general consumers about Nexus devices and you'll probably get the same quizzical look you got when you asked about TouchWiz.

The dearth of quality hardware running stock Android is a geek or tech nerd's problem. GPE didn't take off because it didn't sell. It didn't sell because they were comparatively expensive (they factor in most consumer's decision) and sold through a single online channel. It's the same reason why the Nexus has never sold in significant quantities. And unless Google really pushes...I mean, put some serious capital behind it...to mimic Apple's vertical strategy, stock Android on the highest quality hardware is probably not coming any time soon.

I do think people are starting to care about updates and longer term support though. For me, it is not about 'stock android' it is about updates and about not feeling abandoned by the OEM. They just happen to go hand in hand.

At least I believe software support is one of the large reasons why iphone does so well (among other things of course)

 

[epicrayban]

Frankly, because most people don't care specifically about 'stock Android'. I never hear anyone I know that uses Android complain about software bloat, that TouchWiz or Sense lags (I could probably ask 10 random Galaxy or Note users what they think about TouchWiz and I guarantee at least 9 out of 10 response will be 'What's TouchWiz?'). Hell, many people refer to all non iPhone's as 'Droids'. Ask general consumers about Nexus devices and you'll probably get the same quizzical look you got when you asked about TouchWiz.

The dearth of quality hardware running stock Android is a geek or tech nerd's problem. GPE didn't take off because it didn't sell. It didn't sell because they were comparatively expensive (they factor in most consumer's decision) and sold through a single online channel. It's the same reason why the Nexus has never sold in significant quantities. And unless Google really pushes...I mean, put some serious capital behind it...to mimic Apple's vertical strategy, stock Android on the highest quality hardware is probably not coming any time soon.

Yep.

We debate about software updates and whatever, but at the end of the day, the vast majority of smartphone owners and users don't worry nor even are aware about this stuff.

 

[Blaze4G]

Yep.

We debate about software updates and whatever, but at the end of the day, the vast majority of smartphone owners and users don't worry nor even are aware about this stuff.

I agree. People here always talking about software updates. I love software updates as much as the next tech person. However the general public don't give a crap. I see tons of people who are able to upgrade to lollipop, iOS 9 etc and don't. Not because they made a conscious decision that they don't want to. They just can't be bothered or even check.

iPhone sells because of great marketing and the brand image. Not discounting that it's a great phone. But majority of iPhone and Android consumers don't factor in software updates.

 

[gotluck]

Until the app they want says it needs ios x.xx

 

[hallux]

GPE didn't sell because it wasn't available as a subsidized device through the carrier at the store. Now that you are paying full price but as a financed option through the carrier, I think more people are going to look at other options. It also wasn't advertised all that much, only those that paid much attention to tech blogs or sites even knew it was an option, much less where to get one.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Yep.

We debate about software updates and whatever, but at the end of the day, the vast majority of smartphone owners and users don't worry nor even are aware about this stuff.

Yep, and the vast majority, as in 99% of real people. That the manufacturers depend on for sales.

We are the 0.5% nerds, we don't even show up on the sales radar, we are the very tiny subsection of freaks that talk about Touchwiz lag vs. vanilla Android. Where Joe Blow public has no frigging clue what that even means.

Sadly, the GPE program will never come back. And a super high end Galaxy S7 Edge equivalent phone for a Nexus, is not in the cards.

 

[Blaze4G]

Until the app they want says it needs ios x.xx

Lol! True. Butif you go to buy a new phone today, apps will support whatever version that phone is on for the next 3 or so years. Almost all apps support jellybean. Not sure about iOS side of things.

 

[gotluck]

Lol! True. Butif you go to buy a new phone today, apps will support whatever version that phone is on for the next 3 or so years. Almost all apps support jellybean. Not sure about iOS side of things.

Yea android doesn't really have that problem

I'm running into a good bit of apps on ios that are requiring 9.1, I'm still on 9.0.2

 

[Visionblue]

Any other reckless nerds install the beta on their daily driver, despite several warnings along the way? I'm finding it shockingly stable. They made it too easy to do so IMO with the OTA option. I do hope they add more features along the way though, as it feels much more like 6.1 than 7.0. Multi tasking is really great and I'm loving the new notification shade and quick reply execution for messenger.

 

[superstarmc]

Any other reckless nerds install the beta on their daily driver, despite several warnings along the way? I'm finding it shockingly stable. They made it too easy to do so IMO with the OTA option. I do hope they add more features along the way though, as it feels much more like 6.1 than 7.0. Multi tasking is really great and I'm loving the new notification shade and quick reply execution for messenger.

I was thinks of doing this but I don't have a backup device right now.

 

[nviz22]

I am thinking about buying a Nexus 5X at $200 or $250 since I got rid of my old one in anticipation of the GS7 Edge. $250 was a lot cheaper than what I paid for my original one.

 

[Blaze4G]

Any other reckless nerds install the beta on their daily driver, despite several warnings along the way? I'm finding it shockingly stable. They made it too easy to do so IMO with the OTA option. I do hope they add more features along the way though, as it feels much more like 6.1 than 7.0. Multi tasking is really great and I'm loving the new notification shade and quick reply execution for messenger.

I was thinking of doing this on my DD. But I use Snapchat and I hear it breaks it. Also wanted to know how easy if is to downgrade back to marshmallow.
[doublepost=1457669097][/doublepost]

Yea android doesn't really have that problem

I'm running into a good bit of apps on ios that are requiring 9.1, I'm still on 9.0.2

Wow that's crazy. Well atleast you can upgrade ha-ha.

 

[jamezr]

I bought a co workers 6P for $450. He just got a S7 edge. I enrolled in the preview program and got thr OTA right away. I mean within minutes. It actually pretty smooth for preview software. I love how Google sets that whole thing up. I mean it easy to get it and it just gets pushed to you.

 

[Visionblue]

I was thinking of doing this on my DD. But I use Snapchat and I hear it breaks it. Also wanted to know how easy if is to downgrade back to marshmallow.
[doublepost=1457669097][/doublepost]
Wow that's crazy. Well atleast you can upgrade ha-ha.

You just need to flash the factory image to downgrade (and opt out of the beta program). I have a N6 and it's pretty smooth. Haven't run into an app crash yet but I don't use snap chat.

 

[Fernandez21]

I bought a co workers 6P for $450. He just got a S7 edge. I enrolled in the preview program and got thr OTA right away. I mean within minutes. It actually pretty smooth for preview software. I love how Google sets that whole thing up. I mean it easy to get it and it just gets pushed to you.

Nice. As a fellow touchwiz fan, how are you liking the software? Also, could you please check if hulu, netflix, youtube, tapatalk, and pocketcasts work in multiple window mode? Considering putting my Note 5 on Craigslist for a nexus 6p.

 

[HeyKatie]

Looks good, do you think the LG G4 will get it?

 

[jamezr]

Nice. As a fellow touchwiz fan, how are you liking the software? Also, could you please check if hulu, netflix, youtube, tapatalk, and pocketcasts work in multiple window mode? Considering putting my Note 5 on Craigslist for a nexus 6p.

I was able to get multiple window to work on tapatalk and Netflix and YT. I don't have Hulu or podcasts. In the shot below I have Netflix and Tapatalk running at the same time in multi window.
I like stock Android. But it is featureless to me. Little things like the battery display and camera software and how some things are presented to the end user. Simple things like different pictures for home and lockscreens.
But I do like the 6P. It's a big phone....but I like big phones so it fits for me. The FP on the back takes some getting used to but it is supper fast. I also like how it wakes and unlocks the screen with no buttons to push.

[doublepost=1457699634][/doublepost]Kudos to Google for making it so easy to get the Android beta to a qualified device. Just enroll your phone. The beta shows up as a OTA software update in a few minutes. Then to go back all you do is un enroll your phone and the latest public image shows up as a OTA software update as well. that is a pretty smooth process right there.

 

[Visionblue]

Hulu is crashing on my N6 when in split screen but netflix doesn't seem to mind so much. Pocket Casts didn't have a problem either.

 

[hallux]

Looks good, do you think the LG G4 will get it?

This is the first developer preview, an early alpha. Any thoughts of even suggesting devices (other than the Nexus devices the preview is available for) getting the final release are wild speculation.

That said, the G3 got Marshmallow so it wouldn't be out of line to think the G4 would get N.

 

[AppleRobert]

I was at BB and saw the Moto X Pure for $299 16gb. It will give one MM (searched for a software update and that is available) but maybe N soon perhaps?

 

[Fernandez21]

I was at BB and saw the Moto X Pure for $299 16gb. It will give one MM (searched for a software update and that is available) but maybe N soon perhaps?

That won't get N until after the final consumer version is released, which probably won't be until the fall.

 

[Tig Bitties]

How often did Google say these N previews would get released, like one every 4 weeks or so ?

 

[maxsix]

Like I said earlier, Google needs to bring their A game in hardware.

It's important to note that Google is largely a Software oriented company coming from a different place than Apple. As such they rely on vendors to build Android / Nexus handsets.

Now that the Nexus brand has matured Google is in fact, making strides in the quest for better hardware.

I have owned every Nexus model since the original. It's noteworthy to mention that my Nexus 5, 6, 5X and 6P models have been completely reliable, cool running, fast and effective.

Quite a good accomplishment for a company that relies on vendors.

 

[nfl46]

Root is now available for Android N. This is a must have for me on Android. I cannot stand the ads in websites and applications.