Google gets rid of fingerprint gestures and Night Mode for non-Pixel Nexus devices

Looks like Google is really trying to push Pixel as a special device. The older Nexus devices are losing some key features, including fingerprint sensor gesture support, Night Light Mode/Night Mode. It’s understandable that Google will want to elevate Pixel and features like fingerprint gestures isn’t exactly supported by older Nexus devices. But dropping Night Light Mode/Night Mode is a bit off to us. This feature works like Night Shift on iOS, where it turns down the blue light the screens emit as the sun goes down. Night Mode was introduced to Android 7.0 Nougat, while Night Light is exclusive to Pixel on Android 7.1

According to Googler Ian Lake, Night Light does the color tinting through hardware that isn’t seen on the Nexus. But we can’t think of why they’d get rid of Night Mode since it’s a software solution. And according to SlashGear, it seems Night Mode has even been removed in Android 7.1, too. This leaves even the Nexus 5X and 6P without this feature. We hope Google rethinks this strategy. 

Public beta version of Android 7.1 to come to some Nexus devices

Nexus 6P, 5X and Pixel C users are in for a treat. The first public beta version Android Nougat or Android 7.1 is coming this month. Nexus users won’t be the only ones to get the first and latest Android updates (especially built-in features to the new Pixel devices such as Google Assistant, Pixel Camera, Pixel Launcher, and 24/7 customer support) but they do get new features such as Night Light and Daydream VR support. Night Light is Android’s answer to Night Shift in iOS. Another one of the new features include the ability for developers to add “app shortcuts” to their Android apps. Google won’t say yet when the widespread release of Android 7.1 will be but those in the beta program don’t have to wait that much longer. You can sign up for the program here.

Source: The Verge