Android 7: What's New and Improved?
Android 7, also known as Nougat, was released by Google in the second half of 2016. This version of the Android operating system introduced numerous features and improvements that significantly enhanced the user experience. Here are the key features and enhancements introduced in Android 7, highlighting how they can improve daily interactions with smartphones.
Grouped Notifications
One of the standout features of Android 7 is the introduction of grouped notifications. This feature allows phone notifications to be organized into relevant packages, which can be collapsed or expanded with a tap. Users can reply, share, or open to view more from the notifications window itself.
Handling the endless list of notifications in older Android versions was a troublesome task. Nougat provides a neat notifications panel where notifications are sorted in groups on a per-app basis. This makes it easier to manage and prioritize notifications, ensuring important updates are never missed.
Split-screen Mode
Another significant feature of Android 7 is the split-screen mode. This allows users to handle more than one app simultaneously on the screen, enhancing multitasking capabilities. By long-pressing the Overview button (the rounded square at the bottom), users can activate the split-screen mode and drag and divide the screen between two apps.
The split-screen feature is not new; it has been available in Samsung's Galaxy line of phones. However, Android 7 improves this feature by making it available to more devices and allowing users to resize the window size for each app. This flexibility makes it easier to work on multiple tasks simultaneously without having to switch between apps constantly.
Quick Settings Tiles
The Quick Settings tiles have also undergone significant changes in Android 7. Users can now easily swipe down twice to expand the quick settings tiles fully. This feature is particularly useful for Android users who frequently use these tools, as all the required features are available in one go.
Android Nougat also allows users to add new tiles to the Quick settings without taking any additional steps. Users can control the set and placement of elements on the panel, creating multiple pages of tiles if needed. This customization option ensures that users have quick access to their most frequently used settings.
File System Permissions
Android 7 introduces improved security features for apps, particularly in the realm of file system permissions. This setting helps prevent any kind of leakage of metadata from private files, such as the file's size or existence. It secures users from other apps accessing their personal data, ensuring that no app has permission to know if there is a file in the private directory or not.
The older version of the Android operating system used disk encryption, whereas Nougat employs file encryption. This means that personal data is better protected in Nougat. The improved security features in Android 7 provide a more robust layer of protection for users' sensitive information.
Change Display Size
Current Android users have the option to change the font size on their phones. However, with one of the latest features of Android 7, users can also change the whole display, including the size of buttons, icons, and all other controls on the screen.
This feature is particularly beneficial for users with vision problems. They can now change the icon size and adjust the layout of the display as per their needs. This enhancement improves device accessibility for users with low vision, making it easier for them to navigate through their smartphones.
Data Saver Mode
The Data Saver feature in Android 7 is designed to limit how much data your device uses. When activated, this mode prevents apps from sending and receiving data in the background. Although apps will still have access to data, they will fetch it less frequently, which can turn off certain less-important functionalities like images to reduce data usage.
This feature is particularly useful for users who are concerned about their data usage, especially those with limited data plans. By activating Data Saver mode, users can conserve their data and avoid unexpected charges.
Doze Mode Enhancements
Doze mode, introduced in Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), is a low-power mode that puts the phone in deep sleep whenever the screen is off, the battery isn’t charging, or the phone is stationary for a while. Android 7 enhances this feature by applying a subset of CPU and network restrictions even when the device is not stationary but still on battery power.
When a device enters Doze, it shuts off app network access and defers jobs and syncs. If the device remains stationary for a certain time after entering Doze, the system applies additional restrictions to PowerManager.WakeLock, AlarmManager alarms, GPS, and Wi-Fi scans. However, the system wakes the device for brief maintenance windows during which applications are allowed network access and can execute any deferred jobs/syncs.
Accessibility Improvements
Android 7 includes several changes aimed at improving the usability of the platform for users with low or impaired vision. One of these improvements is the ability to set the display size, which magnifies or shrinks all elements on the screen.
Users can now set the display size to improve device accessibility. This feature is particularly beneficial for users with low vision, as it allows them to adjust the layout of the screen to better suit their needs. Additionally, most apps do not need to make any changes to support this feature, provided they follow Android best practices.
New Features in 2024
In addition to the features introduced in Android 7, Google has continued to update and enhance the operating system with new features in 2024. Some of these recent updates include:
Edit Your Messages After They’re Sent
With Google Messages, users can now edit messages after they’re sent. This feature allows users to tap and hold a sent RCS message to edit typos, add missing words, or clarify what they mean—up to 15 minutes after a message is sent.
Effortlessly Share Hotspots and Switch Between Devices
Coming soon, Android devices will allow users to connect their Android tablet or Chromebook to their phone’s hotspot with one tap—without needing to go through the extra step of typing in their password. Additionally, users will be able to tap the Cast icon to seamlessly switch between their connected devices during video calls.
New Emoji Kitchen Combos
New Emoji Kitchen sticker combinations are rolling out soon. These combinations will allow users to remix their favorite emojis and share them with friends as stickers via Gboard. This feature is particularly exciting for festival season, where users can create unique and festive stickers to share with others.
Control Google Home Devices from Your Home Screen
Users can now add the Google Home Favorites widget to their phone’s home screen to manage and control their most-used smart devices. This widget allows users to check the room temperature at a glance or turn off the lights with a tap.
Manage Favorite Smart Devices from Your Wear OS Watch
The Google Home Favorites tile and complication on Wear OS smartwatches enable users to quickly view and control their smart home devices—all in one place. Users can unlock doors, dim lights, or change temperatures before arriving home with just a tap on the wrist.
Enjoy More Ways to Pay with Google Wallet on Your Wear OS Watch
Users in the U.S. or Germany can now make secure payments with PayPal on Google Wallet from their Wear OS watch. This feature allows users to pay for everyday items without needing to pull out their phone.
Unlock Convenience with Digital Car Key
Digital car key is now available on select MINI models and will expand soon to select Mercedes-Benz and Polestar vehicles. Users will be able to lock, unlock, and start their cars with just their phones—or securely share their digital car keys with family and friends.
Android 7, or Nougat, has brought numerous features and improvements that significantly enhance the user experience. From grouped notifications and split-screen mode to customizable quick settings tiles and enhanced security features, Android 7 offers a more sophisticated and user-friendly operating system.
Additionally, recent updates in 2024 have further enhanced the capabilities of Android devices, making them more convenient and efficient for daily use. Whether it’s editing messages after they’re sent or controlling smart home devices from your watch, these updates demonstrate Google’s commitment to continuously improving the Android ecosystem. Android 7 is a significant upgrade that not only addresses existing user needs but also introduces innovative features that can change the way we use our smartphones.
