Android 8.1 brings in some useful and exciting new features for users

Google is yet again adding new features to its Android 8.1 OS version. The new features bring some added functionality to the devices running the OS particularly in terms of connectivity apart from bug fixes, and general performance/stability improvements.

Talking about the first feature, it has been dubbed as Wi-Fi speed labels and it provides users a way to know how good a particular open Wi-Fi connection is. Basically, with this feature users can see the expected speed of a certain nearby public Wi-Fi network.

Notably, this new feature will not show the exact network speed but it will probably present a close variable regarding the signal strength or bandwidth for users. Based on that users can decide whether to connect to a Wi-Fi network or not. However, Google has said this feature will be available for smartphones running Android 8.1 Oreo in the coming days or weeks as the rollout has just begun.

Meanwhile, this feature will enable users to see speeds of only open Wi-Fi networks. Connection speed will be shown as Slow, Ok, Fast, and Very Fast under the names of public networks. Speed could change with signal strength.There is also a way to disable this feature. Users can go to the Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi Preferences > Advanced > Network and choose None instead of Google.

Secondly, the update brings in open network notifications feature. What happens here is that with Android 8.1, users will be able to see the network name (SSID) and directly connect to the network-all within the notification. No need to get to the settings page and then set up the networks. It is now quick and direct.

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Thirdly, Android Oreo 8.1 has got Smart text selection improvements meaning users will now be able to have a better copy and paste experience. Android Oreo 8.1 now recognizes text when users long press the words, it further highlights the relevant word(s), and then recommends a next logical step via a suggested app. "It can recognize addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, URLs and more," Google has said.

Apart from these, Android 8.1 Oreo also includes a number of bug fixes including improved Bluetooth connectivity with Android Auto, audio improvements while recording video, touchscreen sensitivity, general stability and others.

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