Last Android 8.1 Developer Preview is out, activates Pixel 2's Visual Core chip for HDR+ snaps using third party apps
Google has announced the availability of the second and last Developer Preview of Android 8.1. The , and the finalized version of this release should be rolling out in December. Until then, if you have a supported Nexus or Pixel device you can try this new beta software, which comes with near-final system images and official APIs (level 27). Of course some unnamed bug fixes and optimizations are baked in too. Perhaps the most important feature in Android 8.1 DP2 is the in the and . Dormant until now, this chip can be turned on through an option in the Developer menu. Once that happens, apps using Android Camera API can capture HDR+ shots something previously exclusive to the Google Camera app. Additionally, DP2 comes with a Neural Networks API and even better optimizations for Android Go (the program designed for devices with 1GB of RAM or less). A few smaller enhancements were also included in this release in response to user feedback, Google says. If you've entered a supported Nexus or Pixel device in the Android Beta Program already, then you're running Android 8.1 DP1 at the moment and you should expect an over-the-air update to DP2 to arrive over the next few days. If you're eager to test this beta release, the easiest way to do that is to enroll in the aforementioned program, using . If you're the tinkering type and can't wait for the OTA rollout, you can grab a and manually install it.