Android 7.1 Nougat Tipped to Bring 'Restart' Option to Stock Android

Google has been teasing its Pixel line of smartphones for a while now, and the company is expected to launch them running the first update to Nougat - Android 7.1. After confirming on Monday that it would be launching the new smartphones at an October 4 event, leaked renders of the alleged Pixel and Pixel XL devices were found online. It now looks like the company is ready to bring the restart option to the Pixel smartphones, introducing it alongside Android 7.1 Nougat.

While the restart button is a common feature seen from the likes of Samsung and LG, Google has so far refused its users of this tiny, time-saving option. Prior Nexus devices would only feature a "Power Off" option, while the leaked image posted by Android Police shows the added "Restart" option as well.

It is still, however, a leak that should be take with a pinch of salt. The reboot option seen in the image is claimed to have been taken from a Pixel phone that is running Android 7.1 beta version, which means only developers are currently enjoying the feature.

Google could be testing out the feature as of now and there is no guarantee that the final Pixel product will feature the restart option. However, after dropping the 'Nexus' branding for its own brand, Google will likely bring in some much-needed changes, perhaps starting with the restart option.

A separate rumour also reveals the starting price of the Pixel smartphone. The rumour suggests that the pricing for the 5-inch model of the Pixel will start from $649 (roughly Rs. 43,500). GeekBench's benchmark test reveals that the Pixel smartphone will pack 4GB of RAM and is expected to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 SoC.

Google has started sending invites for the October 4 event, to be held at 9am local time in San Francisco.