Google To Change How It Updates Android, Quarterly Schedule Hinted

Android updates, as well as the release of new versions of the OS,have not been the most reliable since the start. However, there has been a shift in how Google handled updates, patches, and its last two OS releases, that suggested some internal reshuffling could have been at work. Now, new developments are hinting at major scheduling overhauls that could place the release of new Android versions on a quarterly basis.

In a blog post announcing the release of the “Android Nougat,” Google talked about more than just the features of the new OS version. Certain segments also indicate that the company will now make maintenance, security patches, and updates much more regular and easy to keep track of.

“We’re moving Nougat into a new regular maintenance schedule over the coming quarters,” the post reads. “In fact, we’ve already started work on the first Nougat maintenance release that will bring continued refinements and polish, and we’re planning to bring that to you this fall as a developer preview. Stay tuned!”

Ars Technica interpreted this to mean that Google might be releasing updates for its current and future OS on a semi-quarterly schedule. This is a huge change when compared to how new versions are announced once a year and then be released a few months after, which rarely ever follows a specific pattern.

It would also seem that updates for “Nougat” are going to be much more reliable, continuing throughout the year as needed. This follows what Google is doing with its “Chrome OS” closely, with its constant beta updates that make the system a lot more dependable and stable.

This development also coincides with reports regarding a new “Nexus Launcher” that works on a higher API level than Nougat is currently at; e.g. level 25 instead of the present 24. Through quarterly releases, reaching a higher API level becomes a faster affair.