Additionally, you can press and hold the tiny home button to activate Google Assistant. You can also swipe to switch between multiple apps. There is also an enhanced Smart Text Selection feature that works recognises the meaning of the text you've selected to suggest your relevant actions such as opening Google Maps to see the reviews of a place or open Gmail to write an email. You can swipe up the home button to get into the Overview and view full-screen previews of your recently used apps.
What's new in Android 9 PieĪmong other great features, Android 9 Pie brings a new system navigation that operates using a single home button - similar to how the iPhone X works. The company led by Sundar Pichai is also working with a number of OEMs to bring Android 9 to their devices later this year. These include Essential PH-1, Nokia 7 Plus, OnePlus 6, Oppo R15 Pro, Sony Xperia XZ2, Vivo X21, Vivo X21 UD, and Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S.
Similarly, devices that are available under the Android One initiative will receive the update sometime around its rollout for the devices listed under the Beta programme. Notably, the Essential PH-1 has already been issued its update. Google has additionally announced that companies participated in the Beta programme, namely Essential, HMD Global, OnePlus, Oppo, Sony, Vivo, and Xiaomi, will receive the update by the end of this fall. The update is already live as an over-the-air (OTA) package, and you can manually check its presence on your Pixel device by going to Settings > Software updates.Īndroid Pie is limited to Pixel devices for now
How to download Android 9 PieĪs we mentioned, Android 9 Pie is initially rolling out to Pixel devices, including the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL. This is highly inspired by the way the interface featured on the iPhone X last year and omits the traditional three-button navigation. The new Android 9 Pie platform, the successor to Android Oreo, has various improvements over the previous Android versions, but the most notable one is the gesture-based navigation system. The fresh experience through Android Pie is certainly arriving first on Pixel handsets, including the original Pixel and Pixel XL as well as the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. This doesn't mean that the search giant isn't favouring its native hardware altogether. However, the new software package, which was previously speculated to debut as Pistachio Ice Cream, isn't designed for Nexus models, including the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C.
Google also earlier this year announced its partnership with seven OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to bring the beta releases of Android Pie to their flagship devices. The latest Android version comes after the debut of five developer preview builds of Android P that are claimed to have been tested by more than 140,000 beta testers till date. Android 9 Pie, the next iteration in the Android family, has now been officially released.