Google Officially Unveils Next-Generation 'Android Oreo'

Google today announced the next-generation version of its Android operating system, which is named Oreo.

Android Oreo includes dozens of new features, ranging from notification improvements to picture-in-picture support to new emoji.


The update introduces an iOS-like feature called Notification Dots (aka app badges), designed to make it easier to see which apps have new content to display. A long tap on an app icon now displays information like the last notification received and app widgets, much like a 3D Touch does on iOS.

Picture-in-picture support allows users to watch video content while using other apps, while a new autofill feature remembers login information to allow for quicker username and password entry.

Support for new Unicode 10 emoji is included, introducing emoji like exploding head, vampire, zombie, hedgehog, giraffe, fortune cookie, and more. Existing Android emojis have also been redesigned to do away with the iconic Android emoji blobs.

Instant Apps, designed to allow developers to create apps that can run instantly, are now enabled by default, and Google has made improvements to the overall speed of the operating system for faster launch times along as well as introduced security improvements.

A full rundown on the new Android Oreo features is available on Google's site for those interested. The update is available today through Google's Android Open Source Project, with Google planning to roll it out to Pixel and Nexus devices in the near future as soon as carrier testing is complete.

Though Pixel and Nexus owners can expect to get access to Android Oreo in the near future, owners of other Android-based smartphones will need to wait much longer, if they get the update at all. The previous version of Android, Android Nougat, is still only installed on 13.5 percent of devices despite the fact that it was released a year ago.

googleoperatingsystemdistribution
The majority of Android devices continue to run Android 5.0 Lollipop and Android 6.0 Marshmallow, released in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Tag: Android

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's Upcoming Macs Listed in New Report

Thursday July 3, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today shared a list of alleged identifiers for future Mac models, which should roll out over the next year or so. The report does not reveal anything too surprising, but it does serve as further evidence that Apple is seemingly working on new models of every Mac, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Apple is...
Future M5 Chip Devices

M5 Chip Rumored to Debut in These Five Apple Products Later This Year

Friday July 4, 2025 9:14 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation M5 chip is expected to debut in five new products later this year, including the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac. M5 chips will reportedly be manufactured with TSMC's latest third-generation 3nm process, which should result in slight performance and power efficiency improvements over M4 chips fabricated with its second-generation 3nm process. ...

Top Rated Comments

ElZeus Avatar
103 months ago
I can't wait to switch back to an iPhone now that there will be a native file management app in iOS... Android OS updates are a disaster.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MagMan1979 Avatar
103 months ago
Nice to see those numb nuts over at Google once again ripping off functions we on the iOS side of the pond have been enjoying for years, and with little delay in receiving, unlike many sad souls on the Android pond whom almost no one ever sees any updates for their devices...

Stay classy Google, and keep those photocopiers a rollin'!
[doublepost=1503344814][/doublepost]
Not if you have a Nexus or Pixel.
And how long do you folks receive updates for? That's right, no more than 18 months from first release of the device, so those who bought a Nexus or Pixel mid way thru it's production run won't even get a year worth of updates!

iPhone's? We get updates for YEARS. Yeah, still a nightmare on Android!
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aldaris Avatar
103 months ago
Do they have to pay nabisco to use ‘oreo’?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Howl's Castle Avatar
103 months ago
It's going to be funny when in two years this is the version of Android everyone will be using.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dallas112678 Avatar
103 months ago
Nice to see those numb nuts over at Google once again ripping off functions we on the iOS side of the pond have been enjoying for years, and with little delay in receiving, unlike many sad souls on the Android pond whom almost no one ever sees any updates for their devices...

Stay classy Google, and keep those photocopiers a rollin'!
[doublepost=1503344814][/doublepost]

And how long do you folks receive updates for? That's right, no more than 18 months from first release of the device, so those who bought a Nexus or Pixel mid way thru it's production run won't even get a year worth of updates!

iPhone's? We get updates for YEARS. Yeah, still a nightmare on Android!
How long has Android had an actual file system? Quite awhile. I guess Apple is photocopying Google, amirite?

Seriously, never go full fanboy, NEVER! Both companies introduce various features that end up being successful, and the other company will end up copying it. This is competition, and it's good for consumers as everyone will be able to get useful features even if their platform didn't come up with it first.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tkukoc Avatar
103 months ago
Love the marketing matching the event today, very nicely done.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)