If there is one particular reason that many people would like to pick up a Google-branded smartphone, it would be this: being able to receive the latest version of the Android mobile operating system before everyone else in the neighborhood, never mind that they are sashaying around with the latest Samsung Galaxy S series or the newest LG G series flagship. You might own a Google-branded device that is more than a year old, or even close to two years, and it would still be right in front of the queue where the newest version of Android is concerned. Hence, owners of the Google Nexus 6P ought to be able to smile for now, having been left out in the dark where the Android 7.1.2 Nougat update is concerned. At the very least, they are now able to take advantage of the Android 7.1.2 Nougat Beta update.

A case of a little too late for the Nexus 6P? Not so much, although there might be a tinge of jealousy as Nexus 6P owners look in the direction of the Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, and the Pixel C Tablet that have all successfully received the Android 7.1.2 Nougat update last month. Well, at least Nexus 6P owners are still ahead of the rest of the pack, where not many handsets are even running on Android 7.1, let alone Android 7.0 Nougat. Do take note that the Android 7.1.2 Nougat Beta update is currently being made available to devices that have been registered for go along with the Android Beta Program.

There is one thing to look out for in this beta update though, and news of it might make Nexus 6P owners less than happy. Apparently, the Android 7.1.2 Nougat update for the Nexus 6P will not be accompanied by the “Moves” gestures for its fingerprint scanner. This might seem to be all right at first, but when you take into consideration how the lower tier Nexus 5X has already received the Android 7.1.2 Nougat update officially, and also supports the “Moves” gestures, this is certain to peeve people off. One more thing -- hopefully there won't be random shutdown problems as seen after the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update.

Well, at least it is still a case of better late than never. The Nexus 6P is also said to be obtaining its March security update from next week onward, which is a good thing for an older handset that is in circulation. The Android 7.1.2 Nougat update for the Nexus 6P ought to be 1.3GB in size, so it is highly recommended that you perform a backup of all your important data before proceeding with the update, and to download it via Wi-Fi with at least half the amount of battery left.

One perk of joining up with the Android Beta Program would be the ability to get front row seats when it comes to picking up the slew of beta updates that Google introduces with minimal waiting time. Anyone given it a go already?