For the past several months, Google has broken out functional updates specific to Pixel and older Nexus devices. April’s monthly security patch features a large number of updates from general performance to battery to Wi-Fi, with 56 in total spanning the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel, and Pixel 2.
We still have several more months with Android 8.1 as Google’s latest stable operating system even after the P Developer Preview in early March. Today, the April security patch is rolling out with the perfunctory bug fixes and security updates for Pixel and Nexus devices.
Following the February security patch that introduced a number of fixes for the Pixel 2, the latest March update is now rolling out. This month’s patches are now rolling out with the perfunctory bug fixes and security updates for Pixel and Nexus devices.
Last month’s security patch quietly included mitigations for Meltdown and Spectre just before the CPU vulnerabilities were publicized. This month’s patches are now rolling out with the perfunctory bug fixes and security updates for Pixel and Nexus devices.
Following last month’s release of Android 8.1, the January security patch is today rolling out. It brings the perfunctory bug fixes after December’s addition of many Pixel 2 features to older devices, as well as burn-in protections.
BlackBerry got a fair bit of attention earlier this year with the reveal of the BlackBerry Keyone, but its first Android device — the Priv — didn’t garner nearly as much praise or attention. Now, two years after its release, the Priv is officially dead.
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.