New Features Introduced in Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview

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Google released Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview for the compatible Nexus and Pixel devices on October 25th, 2017. This is the first version of developer preview whereas the final will be released in December 2017. The users of, who enrolled the Android Beta Program, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL can test the first preview. Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview has brought some new and exciting features. Whereas, some of the features like toggle Wi-Fi when the device is left idle for some time are taken out of the Android 8.1 Oreo. Anyhow, there are many new things which makes this Developer Preview Android 8.1 Oreo worthy of a try. Let’s take a quick peek at the new features introduced in Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview.

Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview

New Features Introduced in Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview

Settings UI Revamped

The first thing of note is the overhauled Settings UI. The Settings UI now looks a lot similar to the newly launched Pixel 2 smartphones. The navigation bar’s color is changed to the lighter shade with darker icons and search bar on the top.

Keep WiFi on during sleep option removed

Google has removed the ‘Keep WiFi on during sleep’ option from Android 8.1 Oreo. According to a report from Android Police, Google has eliminated this option from Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL as well. Therefore, your device will remain connected to WiFi as long as it’s enabled.

Revamped Navigation Bar

Navigation Bar in Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview is revamped and made more compact than before. Another feature ‘auto-dimming’ is also introduced in Android 8.1. This feature automatically dims the brightness of the home, return, and recent apps buttons when the phone’s screen is left untouched for some time.

Re-location of Power Menu

The power menu that pops up on your screen is redesigned and relocated. Prior to Android 8.1 Oreo, the power menu used to pops up in the center of the screen. But now it will be shown on the side of the screen. This change has made the power menu accessible for one hand operations.

Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview

Bluetooth Battery Indicator

Now with Android 8.1 Oreo, you can monitor the battery of your connected Bluetooth device from quick settings. This feature was only available in Custom ROMs LineageOS or RessurectionRemix, but now it’s officially available in Android 8.1 Developer Preview.

Oreo Easter Egg

Google has redesigned the Oreo Easter Egg in Android 8.1 Oreo. Users can access the easter egg by going to the settings and tapping on Android version under “About Phone” seven times in a row without any pause. After the tapping, users will be greeted with an Oreo Cookie with Android logo instead of the Orange O icon. Now, this makes more sense, Orange O seemed like just OK.

Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview

Dark/Light SystemUI Theme Based on Wallpaper

Uses didn’t like the idea of introducing the White theme for System UI including Quick Settings panel in Android 8.0. The white theme was killing at night and users were just not happy with that. However, Google listened to the criticism and decided to introduce the adaptive quick settings. It means that the System UI now makes use of WallpaperColors API and shows the color of your current wallpaper in the Quick Settings panel, volume sliders, power menu, and also the Pixel launcher. So, choose your wallpaper wisely.

Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview

These are the changes made in Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview.

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