Verizon Pixel and Pixel XL are now updating to Android 8.0 Oreo

Just a week ago, Google has announced the stable version of Android 8.0 (Oreo). At this event Google has also confirmed that Pixel and Nexus series will get this os update first. As notified the android oreo update has started to hit Pixel and Pixel XL handsets. Currently this firmware update is available for Verizon powered devices. The carrier has also updated the release notes at the support page.

According to changelog, the build number for both Pixel and Pixel XL will come as OPR6.170623.012. the download file will be in the size of 940 MB. It will also update the android security patch of these handsets to August 5 2017. The android 8.0 oreo os includes lots of new features:

Picture in Picture Mode (PIP) - This feature allow the users to play youtube videos in a smaller window i.e. PIP mode. At a time you can also open and browse through other apps. To switch to PIP mode just play a video on Youtube and touch the home button. Now you will see the video that playing in a small window.

Notification Dots – It’s a new one this will display a dot on app icons to inform that new notifications are available. To view those notifications you need to press & hold the specific app icon. Now it will be displayed in a pop-up window without opening the app.

Notification Channels – With this feature the user can set the behavior of specific notifications from apps. This option will be available as notification category, within that you can turn on or off this feature. You can also adjust the notification priority with the following options – Importance, Sound, Lights, Vibration, Show on lock screen and Override do not disturb.

Always-On Display – The oreo update also brings improvements in AOD feature. Now you can view the notification message without unlocking the screen. You can also wake your device with new double tap feature.

Instant Apps & Auto Fill – Google revamps instant app search option with recommended app suggestion. This means when you search for a specific app you will also see recommended apps list. To make apps login easier they’ve added new auto fill feature. When you try to login in to app it will fetch and display the email-id and password that saved in Google chrome or other apps.

Along with the above changes the firmware will tweak the performance and fixes the known bugs. The verizon users are receiving this Oreo update in stages via OTA. Some users have already upgraded their device to android 8.0 version. This update is also knocking the AT&T version of Pixel and Pixel XL handsets.