New Android 8.1 Update Will add Speed Label Feature

A new feature, dubbed 'Speed Label' is set to be added to smartphones currently running latest Android 8.1 via an OTA update. This feature gives you the speed information of public Wi-Fi hotspots, so you can choose the faster Wi-Fi network to connect to when having multiple options.



The roll out is expected to commence this week. Once the update is distributed, open Wi-Fi networks will be have four(4) categories:

• Slow: If you can use Wi-Fi calling, you can make phone calls and send texts.
• OK: You can read webpages, use social media, and stream music.
• Fast: You can stream most videos.
• Very Fast: You can stream very high-quality videos.

Thie feature will run on few handsets, as only Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL, Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 2 XL, Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P are using Android 8.1 as of the time of writing. Speed Label will be enabled by default. If you want to disable it, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi Preferences > Advanced > Network rating provider > None .

It's worth noting that WiFi protected with password won't show any speed estimates, and network administrators can opt-out of showing speed data as well.

source: Google

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