As the total Solar Eclipse fell on the US yesterday, Google grabbed the opportunity to host an Eclipse-themed launch event for Android 8.0 where it finally got its full name ‘Android 8.0 Oreo’.
Before Oreo we had KitKat and the snack-themed codenames have now gone commercial with the company’s partnership with Nabisco for the release and to mark this, alongside eclipse glasses and a simulcast of NASA’s eclipse livestream, a superhero Android Oreo statue was unveiled.
Android 8.0 Oreo has now begun shipping out across all traditional distribution methods and OTAs will soon begin to roll out to the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player and Pixel C. Any device that is enrolled in the Android Beta Program will also be updated.
So far, we know that Android 8.0 Oreo will bring a new notification panel with a new layout, colors and features such as “snoozing”. Background apps will be clamped down for a smoother performance and better battery life and there are a range of new emoji and new security enhancements including the “Google Play Protect” malware system.
Additionally, the update will bring Project Treble to all devices. This is a modularization of the OS away from the hardware, making it easier to develop new Android updates.
