Search engine giant Google officially launched the new Android 7.0 Nougat to Nexus series and Pixel C on Monday.
The new mobile OS software comes with many new features and improvements over the previous generation Marshmallow. It brings bundled notification, improved battery optimisation, multi-window options and more value-added features to enhance users' experience.
To provide a better perspective, we have briefly described all the major upgrades of the Nougat update here:
1.Performance: With the use of the new JIT (Just In Time) compiler, the new Nougat improves the device's runtime performance and reduces the amount of storage space required for apps, making the app and system updates much faster.
2. Privacy and Security: Android Nougat comes with major upgrade in this aspect. Google has increased the security level in the phone by incorporating file-based encryption feature. By encrypting at the file level instead of the block level, Android can now better isolate and protect files for individual users on the device.
Another key aspect of the Nougat is the Trusted face. It is a part of Smart Lock feature, which makes unlocking easier, thanks to a new face recogniser. The new recogniser is also less sensitive to conditions like lighting, facial decorations (eyewear, facial hair, etc.), and how the users hold their phone. But this feature is available on select devices (Samsung Galaxy Note7 with Iris scanner).
Google has also introduced a Direct Boot option. It helps the phone start up faster, and ensures that important communications still run. For instance, users will be able to get important text messages or hear the alarm clock ring, before they type-in their password.
3. VR Mode: Last year, Google introduced native support for fingerprint sensor in Marshmallow. In the Nougat, Google has introduced VR (Virtual Reality) Mode with Vulkan API having high-performance 3D graphics to provide immersive experiences on smartphones while playing games and viewing high definition videos. But this feature will be available in new smartphones, which will come integrated with Daydream platform.
4. Split screen: This is another hallmark feature of the Nougat OS. Once installed with the new software, Android phone users will be able to open two apps side by side in split-screen mode to watch a movie while texting, or read a recipe with your timer open. And on Android TV, users can continue watching the current video while browsing or changing the settings.
Also read: Android 7.0 Nougat OTA update rolling out to Nexus series [How to install]
5. Improved Battery and Data saving feature: In the new Nougat, Google has further enhanced the Doze power optimisation feature to lower the battery consumption by apps in the background. It has also introduced a new Data saver mode to curtail the apps active in the background, from accessing the cell data.
6. Improvements to Quick settings: In the Android Nougat, Google has redesigned the interface to help users get faster access to top Quick Settings tiles directly in the notification shade. It also added personalisation option in the Quick Settings. Users can add/delete shortcuts to their most frequently used utility applications. Furthermore, Google, in a bid to help new users of the Nougat platform, has incorporated intuitive interface to provide suggestions on how to get more out of the device.
7. Seamless software updates: On select, new devices running Android Nougat, OS updates can be downloaded in the background, so users can go on with their day, while the device syncs with the latest OS.
8. Bundled notifications: With this feature, users will be able to see what's new at a glance with bundled notifications from individual apps. Simply tap to view each alert.
9. 'Clear all' in Overview: With Android Nougat on the phone, users will be able to instantly close all of the apps running in the background by tapping 'clear all' option in the Overview.
10. Direct reply: This feature lets users quickly reply to a message, directly from within the notification shade. So the user no longer needs to launch the app to fire off a quick response.
11. Notification controls: When a notification pops up, users now just have to press and hold to toggle the settings. For instance, you can silence future alerts from an app in the notification itself.
12. Emergency information: Emergency Information lets users add information such as name, blood type, allergies, and an emergency contact so that emergency responders can view this information through the device's lock screen.
13. Lockscreen wallpaper: Users can now have different wallpapers on the device's homescreen and lockscreen.
14. Emoji: Google has integrated the new Unicode 9 emoji API in the Android Nougat. With this, users will be able to enjoy texting with all-new emojis, including redesigned human emoji with multiple skin tones.
15. New languages supported: Nougat now supports 100 new languages and 25 locales for commonly used languages such as English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. This enables apps to better support and understanding the user's language preferences even if the device lacks official support for it.
16.Night mode: Google's mobile OS team has introduced the much needed night-mode in Android N, which fans have been craving for for so many years. Now, Android N device users will be able to control System UI brightness in closed dark environment so that there will less strain on the eyes.
