Android 7.0, also known as Nougat, introduced several features that enhanced user control, security, and overall performance. From customizable app permissions and redesigned notifications to support for over 1,500 emojis and advanced security measures, Nougat aimed to improve the Android experience significantly. This article delves into the key features and improvements brought by Android 7, helping you unlock the best of this operating system for your device.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Android 7.0 Nougat introduces enhanced control over app permissions, allowing users to restrict access to sensitive information for better privacy and security.
The redesigned notification shade offers faster access to Quick Settings, while bundled notifications streamline alert management, enhancing user interaction.
Key features like split-screen mode, Direct Reply, expanded Doze mode, and support for Vulkan graphics significantly improve productivity, battery life, and overall app performance.
Unlocking the Best of Android 7 for Your Device
Android 7.0 Nougat is all about giving users more control and enhancing their overall experience. One of the standout features is the ability to restrict app permissions, allowing users to decide which applications can access sensitive information. This feature is a game-changer for those who prioritize privacy and security on their Android devices.
The notification shade has also been redesigned for faster access to frequently used Quick Settings tiles, enabling quick toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other settings without navigating through the device settings. Additionally, customizing the arrangement of these Quick Settings tiles ensures your most-used features are always within reach.
Android Nougat supports over 1,500 emojis, including 72 new ones, adding a fun and expressive element to your communications. Whether sending a text, email, or social media post, there’s an emoji for every mood and occasion.
Bundled notifications group alerts from the same app, streamlining the management of notifications. This keeps the notification shade organized and makes it easier to stay on top of alerts.
Nougat enforces stricter app authenticity checks, requiring third-party apps to pass Google’s verification process before installation. This ensures only legitimate and secure apps make it onto your Android device, adding an extra layer of protection.
Introduction
Android Nougat marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the Android operating system. Launched on August 22, 2016, it introduced a host of new features and improvements designed to enhance user interaction and overall performance. The LG V20 was the first device to come pre-installed with Nougat, setting the stage for its widespread adoption.
Despite the launch of newer Android versions, Nougat has maintained a loyal user base. As of December 2022, approximately 4.02% of devices were still using this version. This enduring popularity is a testament to its robust design and user-friendly features.
One of the most significant changes in Nougat was the transition to OpenJDK for its Java environment. This shift improved performance and compatibility, offering developers a more flexible and powerful platform to build their apps.
The notification shade was redesigned for faster access to frequently used Quick Settings tiles. Along with customizable arrangements, this change made it easier for users to access their most-used features quickly. Additionally, the introduction of bundled notifications grouped alerts from the same app, streamlining the management of multiple notifications.
Nougat also introduced support for over 1,500 emojis, including 72 new ones, adding a fun and expressive element to user communications. With these features and more, Android Nougat set a new standard for mobile operating systems, offering a blend of performance, personalization, and user-friendly design.
Enhanced Personalization
Android Nougat takes personalization to the next level, offering individual users a range of options to tailor their device experience. One of the standout features is the ability to restrict app permissions, giving users greater control over the access that applications have to their sensitive information. This is particularly beneficial for those who are concerned about privacy and security.
Users can also set multiple language preferences, allowing for a more personalized interaction with their device. Whether you’re bilingual or simply prefer using your device in a different language, this feature makes it easier to switch between languages seamlessly.
The redesigned notification shade offers faster access to frequently used Quick Settings tiles, enhancing user interaction. You can customize the arrangement of these tiles to prioritize your most-used features, making it easier to access them quickly.
Bundled notifications group alerts from the same app, streamlining the management of multiple notifications. This allows you to manage alerts without being overwhelmed by a cluttered notification shade.
Android Nougat also introduced support for over 1,500 emojis, including 72 new ones. This adds a fun and expressive element to your communications, whether you’re sending a text, an email, or a social media post.
Boosted Productivity
Android Nougat is designed to boost productivity with a range of new features and performance enhancements. One of the most notable additions is the split-screen mode, which allows users to run two applications simultaneously, showcasing its multi window support. This feature is a game-changer for multitasking, enabling you to watch a video while checking your email or browse the web while chatting with friends.
Direct Reply is another productivity-enhancing feature, allowing users to respond to messages straight from notifications without opening the respective app. This makes it easier to stay on top of your communications without interrupting your workflow.
Quick Switch is a handy feature that lets you quickly transition between the two most recently used applications by double-tapping the Overview button. This makes it easy to switch back and forth between apps, saving you time and effort.
The customizable Quick Settings tiles offer easy access to frequently used features, allowing you to rearrange the tiles to prioritize your most-used settings. This allows quick toggling of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other settings without navigating through the device settings.
Finally, Android Nougat includes a ‘clear all’ function in the Overview feature, allowing you to instantly close all running background apps. This helps free up system resources and keep your device running smoothly.
Smarter Battery Usage
Battery life is a crucial aspect of any mobile device, and Android Nougat introduces several features to help conserve power. One of the most significant improvements is the expanded Doze mode, which limits background app activity when the device is not in use. This feature conserves power when the device is both stationary and moving, enabling better battery management.
Doze mode applies power restrictions when the screen is off, reducing battery drain by shutting off app network access and deferring jobs. This allows you to enjoy longer battery life without constantly monitoring your device’s power usage.
Data Saver mode is another battery-saving feature introduced in Android Nougat. This mode allows users to set restrictions on background data usage, preventing apps from consuming data when they are not actively in use. This not only helps conserve battery life but also reduces data usage, which can be particularly beneficial for users on limited data plans.
Together, the enhanced Doze and Data Saver modes drastically improve battery life by optimizing both app activity and data usage. These features ensure that your device lasts longer on a single charge, allowing you to stay connected and productive throughout the day.
Immersive Experiences
Android Nougat takes immersive experiences to the next level with support for the Vulkan graphics rendering API and Google’s Daydream platform. The Vulkan API enables richer and more detailed graphics performance, providing smoother and more visually stunning gaming experiences. This ensures high-quality graphics and faster app performance on your Android devices.
Daydream is Google’s platform designed for virtual reality, serving as an upgraded alternative to Google Cardboard. Supported by Android Nougat, Daydream offers a more immersive and interactive VR experience, making it easier to engage in virtual reality content. Whether you’re exploring new worlds or playing VR games, Daydream-ready phones provide a high-quality VR experience.
Android Nougat also includes a VR mode that optimizes app performance for enhanced virtual reality experiences. This mode ensures that VR apps run smoothly and efficiently, providing a seamless and immersive experience. Whether you’re a casual user or a VR enthusiast, Android Nougat’s VR capabilities offer something for everyone.
Advanced Security Measures
Security is a top priority in Android Nougat, and the operating system introduces several advanced measures to protect users’ data. One of the most notable features is file-based encryption, which secures individual files with unique keys. This approach offers enhanced protection compared to the previous full-disk encryption method, ensuring that your sensitive information remains secure.
Seamless updates provide a mechanism for users to receive security updates in the background without interruptions. This ensures you stay protected with the latest security patches without manual updates. The seamless update process ensures that your device remains secure and up-to-date with minimal effort.
Direct Boot is another security feature introduced in Android Nougat, allowing encrypted devices to start directly at the lock screen without needing to enter a decryption code. This feature ensures that your device is always ready to use while maintaining a high level of security.
These advanced security measures provide peace of mind, knowing that your data is protected against unauthorized access and potential threats. Whether you’re using your device for personal or professional purposes, Android Nougat’s security features offer robust protection for all users.
Broader Device Compatibility
Android Nougat enhances compatibility across a wider range of devices, making its features accessible to more users. The rollout of Android 7.0 Nougat began with various Nexus devices, including Nexus 6, 5X, 6P, 9, Player, and Pixel C. This ensured that a diverse range of devices could benefit from Nougat’s new features and improvements.
The LG V20 was introduced as the first smartphone to come pre-installed with Android Nougat, setting a precedent for other manufacturers to follow. This paved the way for broader adoption of Nougat across different devices and brands.
Daydream-compatible mobile devices require specific hardware features, including unique sensors and displays. This ensures that users can enjoy a high-quality VR experience on devices that meet the necessary requirements. As more devices become Daydream-ready, the accessibility and popularity of VR content are expected to grow.
Android 7.0 Nougat’s enhanced compatibility makes it a versatile operating system that can be used across a variety of devices, from smartphones to tablets and beyond. This broad compatibility ensures that more users can benefit from Nougat’s features and improvements, regardless of their device type.
App Performance Enhancements
Android Nougat introduces several performance enhancements that make Android apps run more efficiently and smoothly. One of the key features is the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler, which optimizes app performance by profiling code execution while apps run. This leads to improved runtime efficiency and reduced storage needs, allowing large apps to install in mere seconds compared to minutes in previous versions.
The sustained performance mode in Android 7.0 allows developers to optimize app performance during prolonged use by providing hints about the device’s performance capabilities. This ensures that apps run smoothly even during extended sessions, enhancing the overall user experience.
Profile-guided compilation enables the system to precompile and cache frequently used methods for apps, improving overall performance while minimizing memory usage. This feature ensures that apps run faster and more efficiently, providing a smoother user experience.
Project Svelte focuses on optimizing background app processes to reduce RAM usage and maintain performance across various device types. This ensures that even devices with limited resources can run apps smoothly and efficiently.
The Vulkan graphics API enhances rendering efficiency, allowing for smoother gaming experiences on Android devices. This means you can enjoy high-quality graphics and faster app performance on your Android devices, providing a more immersive and enjoyable experience.
Accessibility and User Interaction
Android Nougat introduces several accessibility improvements that enhance user interaction and make the operating system more user-friendly. One of the standout features is the support for over 1,500 emojis, including 72 new ones. This adds a fun and expressive element to user communications, making it easier to convey emotions and ideas through text.
Users can now set multiple language preferences, allowing for a more personalized interaction with their device. This feature is particularly beneficial for bilingual users or those who prefer using their device in a different language.
Android Nougat also allows the adjustment of display size, including text and icon sizes, enhancing the user experience. This allows customization of the display to suit your preferences, making it easier to read text and navigate your device.
A feature that allows users to add emergency information, including name and allergies, is another notable addition. This information is accessible from the lock screen, providing vital details to emergency responders in case of an emergency.
The customizable Quick Settings tiles offer easy access to frequently used features, allowing you to rearrange the tiles to prioritize your most-used settings. This allows quick toggling of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other settings without navigating through the device settings, enhancing overall user interaction.
Official Support and Updates
Android Nougat’s journey from beta to its final version has been supported by a robust framework of official support and updates. Devices that participated in the Android Beta Program were among the first to receive the final version of Nougat. This program allowed users to test early versions of the software and provide invaluable feedback to developers, ensuring that the final version was polished and reliable.
The Android Beta Program has played a crucial role in the development and refinement of Nougat. By involving users in the testing process, Google was able to identify and fix bugs, improve performance, and incorporate user feedback into the final release. This collaborative approach ensured that Nougat met the needs and expectations of its users.
Official support for Nougat extends beyond just the initial rollout. Regular app updates and maintenance windows ensure that devices running Nougat continue to receive the latest security patches and feature enhancements. This ongoing support helps keep devices secure and up-to-date, providing users with a stable and reliable operating system.
Multi-locale support is another key feature of Nougat, allowing users to easily switch between multiple languages and regional settings. This feature is particularly beneficial for users in multilingual regions or those who travel frequently, offering a seamless and personalized experience.
As a new platform, Nougat continues to receive support from Google and the developer community. This ongoing support ensures that Nougat remains a viable and functional operating system for users, even as newer versions of Android are released.
Coming to More Devices Soon
The rollout of Android Nougat is an ongoing process, with more devices set to receive updates in the coming months. The final version of Android Nougat, 7.1.2, was released on October 4, 2019, marking the culmination of Nougat’s development cycle. This version includes several bug fixes, performance enhancements, and new features, ensuring that users receive the best possible experience.
The rollout of Android 7.0 Nougat to Nexus devices is a staged process, with updates arriving in phases based on carrier schedules. This ensures that all devices receive the update in a timely manner, while minimizing the risk of widespread issues. Users can expect to see Nougat updates arrive on their devices over several weeks, depending on their carrier and device model.
The Android Beta Program continues to play a vital role in the rollout process, allowing users to test pre-release versions of Android and provide feedback to improve the platform. Participants in the beta program may encounter errors that affect the normal operation of their devices, but their feedback is crucial in identifying and fixing issues before the final release.
As Nougat continues to roll out to more devices, users can look forward to experiencing the new features, performance enhancements, and security improvements that Nougat has to offer. From Daydream-ready phones to the latest Nexus devices, Nougat is set to enhance the user experience across a wide range of devices.
The continued expansion of Nougat’s availability ensures that more users can benefit from its features and improvements, making it a versatile and powerful operating system for all.
Learn more, How to unlock the bootloader of an Android Phone.
Summary
Android 7.0 Nougat has set a new standard for mobile operating systems, offering a blend of performance, personalization, and user-friendly design. From enhanced personalization options to boosted productivity, smarter battery usage, immersive experiences, advanced security measures, broader device compatibility, and app performance enhancements, Nougat has something to offer for everyone.
The expanded Doze and Data Saver modes ensure that users can enjoy longer battery life, while the split-screen mode and Direct Reply features enhance productivity. The support for the Vulkan graphics API and Daydream platform provides immersive and interactive experiences, making Nougat a versatile and powerful operating system.
Advanced security measures like file-based encryption, seamless updates, and Direct Boot offer robust protection for users’ data, while the broader compatibility ensures that more devices can benefit from Nougat’s features and improvements.
With ongoing official support and updates, Nougat continues to receive the latest security patches and feature enhancements, ensuring that devices remain secure and up-to-date. The rollout of Nougat to more devices ensures that its benefits are accessible to a wider range of users, making it a reliable and user-friendly operating system.
In conclusion, Android Nougat is a testament to Google’s commitment to providing a high-quality and versatile operating system. Whether you’re a long-time user or new to Nougat, there’s no denying the impact and significance of this powerful platform. Embrace the features and enhancements of Android 7.0 Nougat and unlock the best of your device today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key features of Android 7.0 Nougat?
Android 7.0 Nougat offers significant enhancements including split-screen mode, customizable Quick Settings, and expanded Doze mode for battery efficiency. Additionally, it features Direct Reply for notifications, advanced security with file-based encryption, and support for the Vulkan graphics API.
How does the split-screen mode in Android Nougat enhance productivity?
The split-screen mode in Android Nougat enhances productivity by enabling users to run two applications simultaneously, thus facilitating multitasking. This allows for seamless management of multiple tasks, such as watching videos while checking emails or browsing the web while chatting.
What security improvements does Android Nougat offer?
Android Nougat offers significant security improvements such as file-based encryption, seamless updates, and Direct Boot, which collectively enhance data protection and streamline the update process without compromising user convenience. These advancements ensure a more secure user experience on Android devices.
How does Android Nougat improve battery life?
Android Nougat significantly enhances battery life through an improved Doze mode that restricts background app activity when the device is inactive. In addition to this, the introduction of Data Saver mode limits background data usage. These features effectively optimize application performance and power consumption, ensuring longer battery longevity.
What is the Android Beta Program and how does it benefit users?
The Android Beta Program enables users to test pre-release versions of the operating system, offering them early access to new features and updates. This initiative not only enhances the user experience through feedback but also aids developers in refining the final version by identifying and resolving bugs.
