After months of waiting, Android Nougat 7.1.1 has finally rolled out across Google Pixel and Nexus devices. It's poised to fix around 40 issues and 74 vulnerabilities, among which include the elevation of a privilege flaw in Google's Smart Lock. This might make it a tempting install for Google phone users, but is it worth the risk? Here's the lowdown of everything you need to know about the Android Nougat 7.1.1 update and if users ought to skip or jump the download.
What the Android Nougat 7.1.1 update will fix
According to a report from CSO, the December patch was split into two security patches. The Dec. 1 patch will address 11 issues, while the second patch level, which rolled out on Dec. 5, will address 29 issues. Among the glitches it wishes to fix is the privilege flaw in the Smart Lock, as it's vulnerable to attackers changing Smart Lock settings. What should fans expect in the Android 7.0 Nougat update?
The flaw affects versions of Android below Android 7.0 Nougat, but Google has since fixed that flaw into a moderate threat. Now attackers need physical access to the smartphone for it to be an actual threat to the privacy of the users.
Moreover, it will also be instituting some cosmetic changes, such as emoji improvements, being able to send .gifs using the GIF Keyboard. The Google blog also stated that the Android Nougat 7.1.1 update added functionalities to the long press to access several commands in the apps.
What to watch out for
That said, the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update does not come without caveats. For one, several users are complaining that the update was causing some glitches in the LTE Band 4 connectivity for Pixel. Thankfully, Google heard their grievances early and addressed these problems immediately.