Android N release date: OS expected in September with new features like multitasking

Android Developers blog

Android N, the upcoming version of Google's long-running mobile OS, is set to launch sometime this year and will replace the current version, Android 6.0 Marshmallow. According to a report from Tech Radar, it is possible that despite Google claiming it will launch in the summer, it is likely it will release by September.

Google claimed it will be releasing the new mobile OS during the recent Google I/O event, but a specific release date was not given. A summer release window may mean it will launch by the very end of summer, going into the fall, indicating that an early September release is the most likely time frame.

When it does launch, fans are not sure if it will officially be dubbed as Android 7.0 given that in the past, there have been formal names for mere version updates such as Android 4.0 being known as Android Ice Cream and version 4.1 to 4.3 being called Android Jelly Bean. Android 4.4 was later named Kit Kat. 

Despite this, a Developer Preview is already available but only for select devices such as the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P. The last generation Nexus 5 is no longer compatible and cannot access the Developer Preview build of Android N. It is important to note that this is a beta build and is still rife with bugs and glitches that will be fixed in the final version.

Android N is said to come with a multitude of new features such as the ability to multitask and keep more than one app open at the same time. Notifications from the same app will now be bundled together to save space and users will be able to quickly reply to notifications without having to navigate away from the notifications menu. 

HTC has confirmed that some of its phones will be getting Android N. Sony, Motorola, Samsung and LG are all going to implement it onto their flagship phones as well. Google's own Nexus devices are going to be the first to get Android N when it comes out this year.