Google releases Android 12 to AOSP; Pixel smartphones to receive new OS 'in the next few weeks'
Google has released Android 12 and right on schedule to boot. However, Google has only published its new OS to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which it confirmed in a blog post. For some reason, AOSP has not published a new Generic System Image (GSI) for Android 12; the most recent is Google's Beta 5 build that it issued last month.
Arguably, Android 12's biggest change is 'Material You', a design language that contains new widgets, a more colourful look and a holistic theming system. Google also promises that Android 12 reduces core system CPU usage by 22% compared to Android 11. Supposedly, Android 12 uses big CPU cores 15% less of the time too, among other changes.
Unfortunately, Google has not confirmed when Android 12 will be arriving on Pixel smartphones. Last year, AOSP and Pixel smartphones received Android 11 simultaneously. This time, Google has promised that the Android 12 rollout will be 'starting with Pixel in the next few weeks'. According to Mishaal Rahman, a Google spokesperson has explained:
We’re putting the finishing touches on a special release with Pixel-exclusive and Pixel-first experiences on Android 12. This will roll out to Pixel users in the next few weeks.
In our opinion, this reads like Android 12 will launch for Pixel smartphones alongside the Pixel 6 series and perhaps even the Pixel Fold. If that is the case, then Google's new OS may take another two weeks to arrive on its smartphones.
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