Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Android Oreo: There's FINALLY some good news about free upgrade

Samsung has started to roll-out its Android 8.0 Oreo upgrade to last year’s flagship smartphone, Galaxy Note 8.

According to reports, the update is now available to users in France, with the new software expected to roll-out to other European countries in the coming weeks.

Samsung typically staggers major software upgrades, like the move to Android Oreo.

The company is in the midst of pushing out Android Oreo to its Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones at the moment, following months of beta builds last year.

Both Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 8 will all run the same version of Oreo.

Samsung doesn’t appear to have included any new functionality specifically for the S Pen, or the dual-camera system on the Note 8.

However, there is still a slew of software features in the new update.

The upgrade, dubbed Samsung Experience 9.0, includes support for notification categories in the dropdown shade.

This makes triage of your smartphone notifications much easier than previous versions of Android.

Samsung has also included a number of new lockscreen clocks and designs for the Always On display.

The new software also includes support for notification badges, which were introduced in Android Oreo.

These red dots appears next to the app icon when there is an unread message, or task that needs to be actioned.

Here’s the full list of the headline features shipping in Android Oreo on Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 8

Home Screen

• Touch and hold an app to display shortcuts to common or recommended tasks within the app (supported apps only).

• Notification badges on app icons are linked with the notification panel. Clear a notification in one location, and it will also be cleared in the other location.

Samsung Keyboard

• The toolbar gives quick access to useful functions.

• The GIF keyboard lets you send GIFs.

Quick Panel

• Manage notifications for each app with notification categories (supported apps only).

• Icons will be shown at the bottom of the notification panel for notifications that aren’t currently visible.

Lock Screen and Always On Display

• New clock styles for the Lock screen and Always On Display.

• Adjust the transparency of notifications to get the look you want.

Samsung Dual Messenger

• Install a second copy of a messaging app so you can use two accounts at the same time. For apps that verify accounts using phone numbers, you’ll need a different phone number for each account.

• Touch and hold a messaging app on the Home or Apps screen to install the second account or go to Settings – Advanced features – Dual Messenger.

Find My Mobile

• Back up Secure Folder to Samsung Cloud remotely when your phone is lost.

• Lock Samsung Pass using Find My Mobile.

Other improvements

• Bluetooth now supports high-quality audio codecs, including AAC and Sony LDAC.

• Video player includes auto repeat and 2x speed option.

• Voice Recorder provides smart tips to conveniently block calls while recording.

• Email lets you flag Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync emails.

• Samsung Health’s new sticky notification lets you see your step count at a glance.

• Clock now includes a Landscape mode and timer sound options.

• The digital clock widget goes directly to the Clock app when you tap it.

• Samsung Pass added the ability to manage usernames and passwords in third-party apps.