A few hours ago Google has officially released the latest version of Android, known as Android 7 or Android Nougat. A version that brings many new features for the mobile world but not many for the reading world and it goes without saying for eReaders.
Many claim that the only interesting novelty for eReaders will be the ability to quickly switch between two apps with a double click, something that is undoubtedly valuable for eReaders. But Does it mean that Android 7 has to reach our eReaders? Will eReader manufacturers update their devices to this version?
Currently, many eReaders, if not almost all, have a version of Android in their guts. However, for various reasons, the most current version within eReaders is not Android 6.0.1 (the version prior to Android 7) but rather Android 4.0, a version that had quite a few problems and bugs on mobile phones. This situation is because eReader companies have little money to create a department dedicated exclusively to updating and customizing Android. In addition, many companies such as Amazon, have several devices in addition to the Kindle Oasis so they would have to have almost several departments.
The latest version of Android could make the price of eReaders go even higher
Perhaps the most economical option is the one created by Kobo and Amazon: they take an Android base and they customize it as much as they can , keeping the base but updating the customization. Although it must also be recognized that inserting pure Android like Onyx Boox makes users lean towards these eReaders before others.
Many want an updated version of Android for their eReaders, but personally I think Android 7 will not reach eReaders. Although I think that if it is necessary for them to have a more current version, having the latest version of Android would mean that eReaders would have to have more power and therefore more battery and a higher price, something that their users would not like. But a version like Android Kit Kat could well be interesting for eReaders, although no one has dared to do so yet.
What do you think? Do you think Android 7 Nougat will come to eReaders? What version of Android would you choose for an eReader?