Android 7.2.1 Finally Releases ‘Moves’ Setting On Nexus 5X; Nexus 6P Likely To Follow Maintenance Update?

A new Android update started seeding on Google Pixel and Nexus 5X devices, which brings new maintenance update for their Android Nougat firmware, such as the fingerprint gestures on the Nexus users.

Announced on Jan. 30, the Android 7.2.1 OTA update came on selected Pixel and Nexus 5X owners participating in the Android Beta Program. The said latest update includes "incremental maintenance update focused on polishing and refinements," according to Google. One of the highlight of the 7.2.1 OTA is the additional 'Swipe for Notifications' gesture in the Nexus 5X devices.

The 'Swipe for notifications' feature was first introduced in Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, which was dubbed as 'Moves' setting. In the initial release of Android 7.1 update, the feature that is enabled through fingerprint gestures was revealed only in Pixel devices, which was then followed by complaints suggesting to bring the feature over to the last two Nexus devices. According to Phone Arena, the Nexus devices sport the same fingerprint sensors like the ones found in Pixel's hardware.

The late inclusion of the "Moves" setting in the Nexus 5X was explained by Google, who at the time of the Android release was "evaluating" the situation to decide whether to extend the feature to the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P.

9to5 Google furthered that a Google employee noted in a statement that "bullhead [Nexus 5X] and angler [Nexus 6P] use similar hardware but older versions of firmware that don't have gesture support. Updating the firmware used and HAL and some other stuff will take some effort. Doable."

With the latest Android beta update, the Nexus 5X now can access the same feature found in Pixel's fingerprint gestures under "Moves" in Settings. To recall, the "Moves" setting are basic shortcuts that enable users to control parts of its interface using the power rocker or fingerprint scanner. Some of the options include quickly checking the notifications by picking up the phone and swiping down on the fingerprint sensor to easily check notifs. Users can activate or disable this feature in the phone's settings.

On another note, the Nexus 6P has yet to experience the Developer Preview build, although the device is bound to get it soon. The Android 7.1.2 OTAs are also expected to roll out for the Pixel C and the Nexus Player.