Following last week’s release of the final developer preview, Android 8.1 is now officially available for current Pixel and Nexus devices. The latest version of Android brings some of the visual changes and features found on the Pixel 2 to the rest of Google’s lineup. Meanwhile, there are various bug fixes and changes for developers to take advantage of.
Google released this month’s Android security bulletin today, but noted that the December images for Pixel and Nexus would be coming a day later. Meanwhile, following last week’s final developer preview, it’s more than likely that tomorrow’s release will also coincide with the launch of Android 8.1.
Several months ago, Google added a section in the main Android Security Bulletin that listed patches specific to Pixel and Nexus devices. For October, that list was broken out into a dedicated “Pixel / Nexus Security Bulletin.” With the November patch, Google has added a section detailing “Functional updates” like bug fixes for its devices.
Despite their October release, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL launched with the September security patch. Thankfully, Google’s latest devices are now finally up-to-date thanks to the November patch that is also rolling out to the original Pixel devices and older Nexus ones.
Following last week’s release of the Pixel 2, Google today posted factory images for both devices. Unfortunately, Google mislabeled both sets of images as containing the October security patch, when in reality they are still on September’s patch.
While last month’s updates were slightly delayed, the October security patch is rolling out today on schedule. It contains the usual minor bug fixes and security patches for Pixel and Nexus devices.
The September security patch is now available for Pixel and Nexus devices, marking the first — albeit small — update to Android 8.0 Oreo. Other manufacturers began releasing updates last week, while Google was uncharacteristically late this month to post factory and OTA images for their phones and tablets this month.
Yesterday, security firm Armis Labs disclosed a Bluetooth exploit dubbed “BlueBorne.” This insidious vulnerability puts billions of Android devices, among many others, with Bluetooth enabled at risk for take over. Fortunately, Google has issued a fix as part of the September security patch, but it will undoubtedly take a while for OEMs to push their updates.
With Nokia already rolling out the September security patch, Google has posted this month’s security bulletin detailing what bugs have been addressed. However, factory images and OTAs for Pixel and Nexus devices have yet to be released.
Late last month, Google announced that Android O’s official launch is coming soon. In the meantime, the August security patch is now rolling out. It contains the usual minor bug fixes and security patches for current Pixel and Nexus devices.
The July security patch is beginning to rollout for Google Pixel and Nexus devices not running the latest Android O developer preview as part of the Beta Program. Still on 7.1.2, this update features the usual bug fixes and a number of security patches.
For those not in the Beta Program running the latest Android O developer preview, the June security patch is now rolling out. Still on 7.1.2, this update features minor bug fixes and a number of security patches for Google Pixel and Nexus devices.
Following some devices accidentally receiving the May security patch a few weeks early, the OTA is now officially rolling out. The first update to 7.1.2 features minor bug fixes and a number of security patches for Google Pixel and Nexus devices.
Following the second public beta of Android 7.1.2 last month, Nougat’s second maintenance release is now rolling out. Mainly focusing on bug fixes and optimizations, there are some minor new features for the Google Pixel and Nexus devices.
Following the second public beta of Android 7.1.2 and the O Developer Preview last month, the April security patch is now rolling out. Still on Android 7.1.1, it features minor bug fixes and security patches for Google Pixel and Nexus devices.
Still on Android 7.1.1, the March security patch is beginning to rollout for current Pixel and Nexus devices. Likely addressing minor bugs, but otherwise lacking significant new features, there are fixes for 60 vulnerabilities.
Overshadowed by the 7.1.2 Developer Preview, the February security patch is beginning to rollout. Still on 7.1.1, there are fixes for 35 vulnerabilities, with factory images and OTAs now available for current Pixel and Nexus devices.
Update 1/5: After a last minute bug, Android 7.1.1 is now available for the Nexus 6, with the corresponding factory image and OTA available on the developer site.
With last month’s update coinciding with the release of Android 7.1.1, January’s is a more straightforward security patch. Slightly delayed to account for the first Monday of the month falling on a holiday, there are fixes for 95 vulnerabilities.
It’s the first Monday of the month, and that means it’s time for Google’s monthly slew of security patches.
The first Android security patches for Nougat devices are rolling out now as part of the September security update. With Google having yet to upload the Android 7.0 factory images for some Nexus devices, there are several patches for Marshmallow.
Several leaks over the weekend suggested that the Android Security Bulletin would be released on August 5th this month. While the patch date may be set to this Friday, the Nexus factory images and OTAs are already rolling out. Like in July, there are two sets of security bugs as part of the August security bulletin.
Update 7/11: July’s security patch for the Pixel C is now available. Download the factory image and OTA now.
The Android Security Bulletin is usually released the first Monday of every month. With July 4th being a holiday, it was assumed that the patches would be available next week. However, Nexus factory images and OTAs with patches for a large number of vulnerabilities are actually available today.
Android usually maintains a monthly security patch schedule, but Google has released an out-of-cycle fix for a serious vulnerability that affects a majority of devices. The company is working on a security update for Nexus devices and has released the patch for other OEMs to implement.