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We’ve known for some time that Android N is slowly making its way through the Chrome OS channels. As far back as early January we saw evidence of Nougat 7.1.1 alive and active in the Canary channel. It now appears that the Samsung Chromebook Plus has been added to the testing field for Android N.
A reddit user has reported that their Samsung Plus is running Android N. The caveat? They, like others, are in the sometimes unstable Canary channel. To date we have confirmed the Lenovo ThinkPad 13, ASUS C300MA and the Samsung Plus have received Nougat in Canary signaling the expanding development of the much needed update.
Android N will bring app resizing which will be crucial to Chromebook’s new-found Android capabilities. A recent conversation with developers would lead me to believe it could be months before we see Nougat in the Stable channel of Chrome OS. The addition of another device in the Canary channel, which is on version 60, gives a glimmer of hope that months could be more like weeks. Of course, all that hinges on when the Play Store actually makes it to Stable channel for the rest of us.
For all of you still wondering when, we still are of the firm belief Android will begin rolling out on a grander scale with the release of Chrome OS 58 in the next couple of weeks. The pending release falls right in line with the availability of the Samsung Chromebook Pro and what we have been informed will be the Play Store officially coming out of Beta. It is likely we will see Android Marshmallow remain in place for a time while bugs are worked out and app developers have time to further optimize their products before introducing the features that come with Nougat.
If you have been brave enough to move to the Canary channel have you seen Nougat on your device? Drop us a line or comment below and let us know.
