Following the global release of Android 7.0 Nougat in August, Google announced several new updates over the next year. The latest in beta was the Android 7.1.2 Nougat update, which is now available for Nexus and Pixel worldwide as of April 4th. Here's everything users need to know about the new Android 7.1.2 Nougat update.

After short maintenance and security updates, Google decides to improve the core of Android Nougat. Now that most new devices are running Android 7.0 Nougat, including the Galaxy S7 or LG G5, Google is rolling out the Android 7.1.2 update.

All in all, it looks like an update that improves the stability of the original version and also adds a few new features to the Pixel. In addition, Google brings some popular features to the older Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. Here are all the details for those looking to download or waiting for Android 7.1.2.

On January 30th, 2017, Google released Android 7.1.2 Nougat as a limited beta for select devices. For two months, users have been testing the update, and now we are ready for improvements. The second edition of the Developer Preview was released on March 20 and is now officially released.

UpdateAndroid 7.1.2Nougat: What devices?

Of course, all Android smartphones and tablets should eventually get the latest version of Android. Well, the most recent devices, at least. Currently, however, the list is limited to Nexus and Pixels. Since the update is still in beta.

Available for Google Pixel and Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player and Pixel C. All devices should see the update starting April 3rd and later. Older devices like the Nexus 5 or Nexus 6 are not included in this beta release. Android 7.1.1 could be the last update for them. Even though smartphones will continue to receive security patches every month.

Most smartphones have been running Nougat for a long time, but the Nexus and Pixel always get the latest OS first. Given that the beta has already begun and more details are coming on, the latest version of the software will be available in the future.

UpdateAndroid 7.1.2Nougat: What's new?

We knew that Google had discovered several bugs that need to be fixed, and this is exactly what you would expect from Android 7.1.2 on your device. The latest April security patches are included.

In the official blog, the developer states that this is "an incremental OS release focused on improvements, so it includes a number of fixes and optimizations, along with a small number of user improvements."

This basically means that nothing major will come with this update, save for a few small tweaks. So far, we've seen some fingerprint gesture implementations for the Nexus 5X and 6P, like you can swipe to access notifications, and more. Not to mention, the update includes tons of fixes for the Pixel and Pixel XL. Here's a sketchy list of changes we've been able to find for the new Android 7.1.2 update on the Pixel XL.

• Improving the performance of the fingerprint scanner;
• Additional improvements / fixes for audio output;
• Improving Bluetooth connectivity;
• Correction of the indication of the battery charge level;
• Battery usage statistics;
• Fixed a pink camera tint that some users were experiencing.

Another highlight of the update is the new Pixel Launcher, along with some bug fixes. Pixel C gets a new multitasking menu, new buttons on the screen, and now there is no app tray. Okay, just swipe up.

A sea of ​​changes for tablets cAndroid 7.1.2Nougat.

Tablets are waiting for a significant improvement with Android 7.1.2 Nougat. With Pixel C, we've got a new multitasking window. Press and hold to pin an app to the left or right edge to split the screen in multitasking mode, launching two apps at the same time.

UpdateAndroid 7.1.2Nougat: How do I get it now?

In anticipation of the April and third release of 7.1.2, the update was only available through the beta channel. However, the update is officially available for supported devices. The update is currently available in OTA mode for Pixel, Pixel XL and Pixel C. All other devices can wait for OTA or download the update manually.

Users who don't want to wait and want to can manually install the official Android 7.1.2 Nougat update. To get the original update image, you can also download the OTA update and install it.

UpdateAndroid 7.1.2Nougat: Release Details

Android 7.1.2 Nougat update was released on April 3rd for everyone. This date has been discussed on the net and now, finally, an update is here. For the most part, this is just a minor maintenance update, but Nexus 5X and 6P users will love some of the new features.

Expect update notifications in the next two weeks for Android 7.1.2 Nougat. Google is slowly releasing the update, which is the first to receive a small percentage of owners, the release process is gradual, over two weeks. This solution allows you to ensure a smooth transition and catch potential errors.

Owners can head to Settings - About Phone (About Tablet) and check for updates to download the official Android 7.1.2 Nougat update today.

After completing the preliminary beta testing, big manufacturers like Samsung, LG and Motorola will be working on the latest version of the OS. At the moment, almost all third-party smartphones offer Android 7.0, not even 7.1.1, so you will have to wait for the latest and greatest update.

After five months of beta testing, Google has officially released the latest version of its mobile operating system, Android 7.0 Nougat. for the Nexus line, as well as devices registered in the Android Beta program.

Of course, the first wave only touches a very small number of smartphones and tablets when compared to more than a billion active Android gadgets - this is the price of platform fragmentation. Now it's up to the manufacturers to prepare the updates. It usually takes months and no one names specific terms.

However, there is already information about certain devices that will definitely receive Android 7.0 Nougat. A number of phones and tablets are likely to update the operating system. And here is a list of gadgets that in the long term - distant or near - expect Android 7.0 Nougat.

Nexus, Pixel C and Android One

The Nexus line has always been the first to update to the latest Android versions. Nothing changed with the arrival of Nougat. The operating system should already be available for models:

• Google Nexus 6,
• Google Nexus 5X,
• Google Nexus 6P,
• Google Nexus 9,
• Google Nexus Player,
• Google Pixel C,
• General Mobile 4G (Android One).

As you can see, the super popular oldies Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) will not receive Android 7.0 Nougat - it's time to buy a new phone. However, Google engineers also did not improve the budget Android One devices, which are intended for emerging markets.

Samsung

The lineup of the South Korean manufacturer is very wide, so it is not surprising that many gadgets will not be updated. It should be noted that the company is known for slow updates. For example, the Galaxy S6 received Android 6.0 Marshmallow only five months after its official release. Nevertheless, we can expect that "Nugu" will wait:

• Samsung Galaxy S6,
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge,
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus,
• Samsung Galaxy S7,
• Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge,
• Samsung Galaxy Note 5,
• Samsung Galaxy S7 Active,
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7,
• Samsung Galaxy J3.

According to Samsung, one of the first updates will receive the flagship Note 7. This will happen within two to three months. At the same time, there is no reason not to upgrade to budget employees of the Galaxy J3 level. However, Samsung representatives take some pause and say that they are assessing the situation and will announce their decision in the near future.

Lg

Somewhat unexpectedly, it turned out that one of the first smartphones with pre-installed Android 7.0 will be the LG V20. An expanded list of potential lucky ones looks like this:

• LG G5,
• LG V10,
• LG G4,
• LG V20.

Recently, LG has accelerated with the release of updates. For example, the LG G4 received Marshmallow three months later. Probably, there will be no big delays this time either.

Noteworthy is the marketing strategy of LG in promoting the same LG V20. The company is focusing on the latest version of Android, which should undoubtedly hurt and spur other smartphone makers.

Htc

HTC immediately confirmed the Nougat update for three of its devices, which does it credit in our eyes. This will affect:

If we talk about the timing, then Motorola has no stability. In the American market, updates come in a couple of months, and a year after the release of the next version of Android. As the representative of the company explained, the development of updates is complex resource-intensive projects and decisions on updating a particular gadget will be made on an individual basis. It is advised to follow the news on the official website.

In general, last year's models are in question:

• Moto X Style Pure Edition,
• Droid Turbo 2 (Moto X Force),
• Droid Maxx 2 (Moto X Play),
• Moto G (2015),
• Moto E (2015).

ZTE

According to ZTE itself, Axon 7 will receive Android 7.0 "very soon". The update can also be received by phones that were released to the market 1-1.5 years ago:

• ZTE Axon 7,
• ZTE ZMax Pro,
• ZTE Axon Elite,
• ZTE Axon Pro,
• ZTE Axon Max,
• ZTE Axon,
• ZTE ZMax 2,
• ZTE Blade V7.

At the same time, there are no official announcements about the exact list of devices and the timing of the update.

Oneplus

The lineup of OnePlus is still quite modest, in connection with which the current version of Android should come to all smartphones:

• OnePlus 3,
• OnePlus X,
• OnePlus 2,
• OnePlus 1.

Recall that the first generation of OnePlus runs on Cyanogen OS, and newer gadgets come with the proprietary OxygenOS shell. Therefore, regarding OnePlus One, it is worth waiting for news from the Cyanogen community. As practice shows, it will not rust behind it, albeit with a delay.

Official OxygenOS firmwares are coming out with a big delay. For example, the OnePlus 2 received Marshmallow only in June of this year, while the OnePlus X is only available in preview. Nevertheless, there should be updates, it's just not worth waiting for them in the near future.

Sony

Digital Trends received a direct response that Nougat will appear on models:

• Sony Xperia Z3 +,
• Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet,
• Sony Xperia Z5,
• Sony Xperia Z5 Compact,
• Sony Xperia Z5 Premium,
• Sony Xperia X,
• Sony Xperia XA,
• Sony Xperia XA Ultra,
• Sony Xperia X Performance.

According to Sony, the company has no "expiration date" for phones and is working to "bring this major update to the maximum number of devices."

BlackBerry

In recent years, less and less has been heard about BlackBerry, but the company is doing its best to please its loyal fans. Android 7.0 is expected to come to both BlackBerry phones:

• BlackBerry Priv,
• BlackBerry DTEK50.

For reference: BlackBerry Priv made friends with Marshmallow six months later, and BlackBerry DTEK50 came out of the box with it.

Alcatel

Alcatel is one of those manufacturers that are releasing new phones at an astronomical rate. Many models are simply difficult to track, let alone update. Nougat is likely to make its way to the following smartphones:

• Alcatel Idol 4S,
• Alcatel Idol 4,
• Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3.

There is really no information, except that earlier one of the Alcatel executives mentioned the Idol 4S update, "when the company creates a stable firmware based on Nougat."

Huawei

The largest Chinese manufacturer is systematically crushing the whole world. Moreover, Huawei pleases not only with hardware, but also with software. Therefore, there is a high probability of updating for models:

• Huawei Mate S,
• Huawei Honor 5X,
• Huawei Honor 5C,
• Huawei Honor GX8 (G8),
• Huawei Honor V8,
• Huawei Honor 7,
• Huawei P9,
• Huawei P9 Lite,
• Huawei P8 Lite,
• Huawei P8.

By direct confirmation, Android 7.0 Nougat will definitely be designed for smartphones:

• Huawei Mate 8,
• Nexus 6P.

The timing, like that of other Chinese vendors, is disappointing. Take the Honor 5X, for example, which only got Marshmallow in June.

Asus

According to preliminary data, Nougat will delight the owners of the following phones:

• Asus ZenFone 3 Laser,
• Asus ZenFone 3 Max,
• Asus ZenFone 3,
• Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe,
• Asus ZenFone 3 Ultra,
• Asus ZenFone Zoom,
• Asus ZenFone 2,
• Asus ZenFone 2 Laser,
• Asus ZenFone Selfie.

Most of these devices are available in selected regions of the world and have received Android 6 over the past few months. Asus did not respond to Digital Trends' requests for comment.

The new Android version 7.1.1 Developer Preview will be available on all Pixel and Nexus devices very soon. The external changes in this version are negligible: the most interesting thing is the new options, which we will now talk about.

Labels- the brightest and most interesting innovation. At its core, it is a context menu that is invoked by a long tap on the icon. Such a response to Apple's 3D Touch, at the same time it is quite elegant and does not require any additional equipment from the smartphone, which means that you can expect that this option will be used on devices of any level, and not on selected flagships. At the moment, only stock apps support this feature, but there is no doubt that third-party developers will catch up pretty soon. For example, a long tap on the shortcut contacts calls up two commands: create a new contact and quickly go to the last one, with messages - a new chat and go to the last active one, in GMail - a new letter, Chrome - a regular new tab or incognito, in maps - routes to home, work or other memorized locations, etc. This function works on the desktop and in the application menu. Moreover, if you are especially interested in some command from this context menu, you can save it as a separate shortcut on the desktop.

Navigation bar is now “stuck” to the bottom of your device and stays there no matter which way you turn your device. From the left-handers of the whole planet, thanks for this great human. However, there are many more reasons why you might want the navigation keys on the left instead of the right. Now it is finally possible.

By power button you can choose to reboot, such an obvious and long-awaited innovation.

Notification shade received its improvement, subtle, but pleasant. This is an additional, sixth icon.

"Support"- an interesting innovation in the settings menu: this is an additional tab where the owner of a Pixel or Nexus smartphone can chat with tech support in live chat mode or by phone. So far, this feature is only available in a number of countries where the new Pixels will be officially sold.

Movements submenu also replenished with a new switch. The gestures for quickly turning on the camera and activating the screen are already familiar to us, now you can also quickly switch between cameras with one movement of your wrist.

"Smart storage"- another innovation of the system. It allows you to quickly delete old photos, provided that their copies are saved in Google Photos, you can also delete applications that have not been used for more than 90 days.

Camera can take pictures by voice command. The command "OK google, take a picture" - is used to start the main camera, "OK google, take a selfie" - the front camera, and "OK google, take a picture in X seconds" starts the timer in the camera, the picture can be postponed no more than for 30 seconds. And, yes, it only works in English so far, and the version of the Google Camera application must be at least 4.2.022.135443920. The interface of the camera application has slightly changed and, apparently, the software component, because this camera has become faster to shoot. There is also a handy slider for quickly adjusting the exposure.

Keyboard with GIFs- the blue dream of any chat lover is now present in the stock android, though not in all applications.

Emoticons were replenished with new samples depicting single-parent families and representatives of different professions, moreover, it is possible to choose the desired skin color for them. You can also choose the gender of the person on the part of the smileys. Tolerance bordering on insanity, not otherwise.

External changes, as we have already said, are not numerous, but they exist, and therefore we will list them at least in one line. Incoming calls and alarms have received new notification cards: the buttons have become larger. The screens for dialing and receiving a call are now also different, with a full set of beautiful animations. Selecting a sound source during a call now looks clearer. But the automatic activation of the "Do not disturb" mode during a call is really convenient. In the volume menu, you no longer need to use the “poke” method to find out which slider is responsible for what, they are all signed. The page for searching for system updates looks a little different, but this, again, is nothing more than an external change.

Android 7.1.1 DP availability, of course, arouses the interest of the entire interested public, so we immediately answer all possible questions. You can try the first beta right now on the Nexus 5X and 6P and the Pixel C tablet, the second beta is expected in November, and the release version 7.1.1 will be available to a wide range of users in December.

Generally Android 7.1.1, although not a big one, is quite an interesting system update and the most important thing here is the context menu for shortcuts, accessible by a long tap. Everything else can be evaluated as polishing of an already high-quality product, such small improvements that make the user's life better, but do not change anything drastically.

Recently, Google presented to the general public the latest version of its mobile operating system Android Nougat (7.0). The final assembly has many key changes and additions in its arsenal, designed to direct all efforts towards optimization and ease of management with the system. Out of habit, the manufacturer gave the next numbered platform the sweet name "Nougat", which is a sweet confection of nuts and chocolate.

At the moment, the seventh assembly of the android system is supported by the following devices:

• Nexus 5X;
• Nexus 6;
• Nexus 6P;
• Nexus 9;
• Nexus Player;
• Pixel C laptop;
• General Mobile 4G (Android One).

Testing and refinement of the system has been going on since March 2016. At this time, the very first test images of the system appeared, which could only be installed on the Nexus line of smartphones and tablets. The pre-release beta version was released in July, and was already ready for the final revision. Key improvements and innovations will be indicated and described in the following lines of the article.

In order to expand the functionality and distribute the user workflow, the developers from Google provided the system to work simultaneously in two windows. This analogy has moved to the mobile OS from the desktop, where it is a key option for organizing the workflow. Here, everything is limited to only two windows, in which the feeling of multitasking is created. The user can simultaneously view navigation maps and sit in the messenger, watch Youtube and read the news feed on Twitter, as well as many other examples of use. In order to get into this mode, you need to hold down the multitasking key.

Doze

The improved and advanced energy efficiency system is now called Doze. Thanks to well-thought-out processes for monitoring the operation of the OS, the system itself determines when the device is actively involved, when it is in rest mode, and decides which option to use. When the smartphone is in a bag or pocket, the Doze process is automatically activated, thereby saving the battery power of the devices.

Notifications

The notification system has received distinctive changes and improvements. If several notifications appear, the operating system will automatically offer to choose an action, depending on the task at hand. You can archive, delete, or mark as read an email as an example. The main thing is the ability to give an answer through the messenger directly in the menu curtain, without opening the application again.

Saving traffic

Android 7.0 can actively save megabytes of user traffic. In the mode of mobile Internet operation via GSM and LTE networks, the new platform actively saves incoming and outgoing traffic. This approach is implemented by bypassing application requests over the mobile network. The user himself has the right to configure the access function of any application at the level and in priority with the Wi-Fi network.

Augmented reality

The virtual reality platform based on the new Daydream system will currently be compatible with several gadgets, and for a more complete immersion in the process of the augmented virtual world, users will need to purchase a special VR headset.

Security

Compared to previous versions of the "green robot" platform, the OS system and security have improved. If the device is lost and someone finds the phone, he will not be able to use it. When you try to reflash or unlock a smartphone using third-party software, it simply self-locks and will ask for a special password for the account, even despite a complete reset and firmware change.

New folder design

The main visual change for Android Nougat is the improved look of folders and icons. Now the first thing that catches the eye is a round image of folders, with icons inside. New animations for opening and actions in the folder, as well as a transparent view contribute to the visual changes of the new system from Google.

Alt + Tab function on Android

This feature also migrated from desktop PCs. Similar to the Alt + Tab combination on a computer, users can press the Browse key, thereby double-clicking to start the previous process. A long press allows you to select from a list of available applications.

Night mode

One of the minor, but no less important updates is the addition of night mode. Taking care of the eyesight of the users, Google added a mode in which the brightness and contrast are automatically adjusted and adjusted to the night environment around the user.

Installing Android 7.0 Firmware

Now it's even easier to update and install your smartphone or tablet operating system to the latest version. Now, to install a new firmware, you just need to download Android 7.0 from our website, follow the instructions from the downloaded archive, download and install the application on your smartphone or tablet with the Android operating system.

Starting with the sixth version, the developers changed the Android numbering principle, now the first digit changes once a year and there are no cardinal differences between the major versions. The first Android N firmware for developers was released in the spring of 2016, and later in August, Android 7.0 Nougat was officially released. It's funny, but the two main smartphones for the company, which replaced the Nexus, Pixel and Pixel XL out of the box worked on the more recent Android 7.1. There is not so much new in the seventh version of the operating system from Google, although even the few changes that are, seriously change the user experience and usability.

Attention: the review mainly deals with the features user interface OS version for smartphone... The review is written based on the firmware with Android 7.1.1 installed on.

Lock screen

The device can be woken up by pressing the Power button, double-tapping the screen or simply picking it up, the latter two methods require hardware support. Unlocking the smartphone is done by moving your finger from bottom to top in any part of the screen, which is easy to do on the go and without looking. You can protect yourself from unauthorized access to the device in several ways: set unlocking by Pattern Key; set a password or PIN; or through the Smart Lock function, which allows you to unlock the device when connected to a watch, a Bluetooth headset in the car, by an NFC tag, or by recognizing the owner's face or voice. Since the previous version, Android has native support for the fingerprint scanner. If unlocking by fingerprint is enabled, then the device does not even need to be woken up first, it is enough to bring the registered finger to the scanner and the system, bypassing the lock screen, will show the desktop. It is also possible to unblock the device by changing the account to the guest account, if one is registered in the system (there is a guest account by default).

The lock screen displays: the status bar - it contains the operator's name, indicators of the cellular network signal, Wi-Fi and the battery level (unfortunately, without the ability to display the charge as a percentage); User information; clock, day of the week and date. In the center of the screen, under the clock, a list of missed events is displayed, ranked by importance based on who they came from and from which application, notifications are grouped by application. If a password is set on the smartphone, then you will need to choose one of three options for displaying information on the locked screen: Show notifications in full, Hide personal information, or Do not show notifications.

From the lock screen, you can launch the Camera or Voice Search by sliding your finger from the corresponding icons to the side, or pull down the notification curtain by moving from the top of the screen. Interaction with the list of notifications is as follows: double-tapping on a notification will send the user to the corresponding application; swiping left or right will remove the notification; a small shift to the left or right will reveal the notification settings button for that particular application; sliding down from the notification opens the event preview window, which may contain buttons for quick interaction with this event, for example: “Reply” - after clicking on this button, you can type a response on the keyboard and send it without leaving the list. In the preview window, under the list, there is a button for deleting all notifications, only now it is represented not by an icon, but by the inscription “CLEAR ALL”.

Desktop, multitasking and notifications

The main Android workspace was and remains the desktop, which can have one or several pages, the pages are scrolled horizontally. The system retains a separate application menu, which can be accessed from any desktop by sliding your finger from the lower dock or by clicking on the arrow above the lower dock. The bottom dock can contain up to five application shortcuts or shortcut folders. The application menu contains a search bar, a bar of favorite applications and icons of all pre-installed and third-party applications, while the desktop contains only those shortcuts that the user himself added.

One desktop can contain up to 25 application shortcuts in a 5 * 5 grid, in addition to shortcuts on the desktop, widgets and folders with shortcuts can be located. A folder can contain an unlimited number of shortcuts, but only 16 are displayed at a time, you cannot put other folders or widgets in the folder. In the operating system, it became possible to change not only the font size, but also the scale of the graphical interface as a whole; at different scales, the number of shortcuts and other elements that fit on one page of the desktop may differ.

Hooking a shortcut, folder or widget with a long touch of your finger, you can move it across the desktops or delete it by dragging it onto the "Remove" button. To add a shortcut to the desktop, you need to go to the applications menu and, hooking the application with the same long touch, move it to the desktop. If you move an application to the “Remove” icon that appears on top, the system will prompt the user to remove this application. Now, when long-tapping on an application shortcut, a context menu appears if the application supports the corresponding API. The menu for managing desktop settings is invoked by a long touch on any free area of ​​the screen. The menu contains three items: WALLPAPERS - allows you to change the desktop picture; WIDGETS - needed to add widgets; and SETTINGS - a shortcut leading to the desktop settings.

The multitasking menu is invoked by clicking on the corresponding button. The list of running applications is scrolled vertically, and applications are displayed as cards arranged one after another, some applications can be represented by several cards. The application can be closed by clicking on the corresponding button or swiping to the side, in the current version of the OS there is a dedicated button for clearing memory, however, it is not necessary. The user interface of multitasking in Android looks very nice, the menu is invoked with one touch, firstly, the return to the previous application, for example, when the user has left the Facebook application by clicking on the link, is done with the Back button, while the multitasking menu is not required to be invoked; secondly, the multitasking menu is called up in one tap. You can return to the previous application by double-tapping the multitasking button.

One of the main innovations in Android 7 is native support for multi-window, to be precise, two-window. A long touch of the multitasking button divides the screen into two equal parts (if desired, it can be divided in proportions of one to two), while the current application renders in the upper half and is fixed there, and the lower one will display a list of running applications from which you can select the one you need for the bottom half of the screen.

The principles of working with notifications were seriously redesigned back in Android 5: a list of interactive notifications appeared on the lock screen; the classic full-screen interface of an incoming call is displayed only if the device is locked, in all other cases, with an incoming call, a small card appears on top with information about who is calling and two buttons: “REJECT” and “ANSWER”. Added the ability to change the volume separately for the alarm clock and multimedia in the interface.

Controls, keyboard

Controlling a smartphone in Android 7 implies the presence of a power button, volume buttons and three on-screen buttons: Back, Home and Multitasking Menu - it is permissible for the on-screen buttons to be placed on the body in the form of touch-sensitive or mechanical buttons; in addition, finger sliding gestures and long touch gestures are actively used. Voice control is often used, the user can use the phrase “Ok Google” from any screen, including the locked one (hardware support is required), initiate voice control and then dictate a command or search query.

An important role in interaction with the device is played by the notification curtain combined with the switch panel. It is called by a swipe gesture from the top edge of the screen or by double-tapping the status bar, if you make another slide from top to bottom, but already in any part of the screen, the switch panel will open; to immediately open the switch panel, you must swipe with two fingers. The switch panel is now multi-page, by default it contains 10 switches and a slider for adjusting the screen brightness, but now you can customize it: change the location of the switches, add or remove them. When you press some switches, quick settings open, with a long touch of the switch, the system will send the user to the corresponding section of Settings. The place of the system keyboard in the Pixel is taken by Gboard, but the ability to install keyboards from third-party developers has not gone anywhere. The dialer remains the same.

Google search and app

Traditionally, the system has deep integration with Google search, and to be more precise with a personalized assistant that provides information in the form of cards based on context: current location, calendar information, search history, travel history, history of visited pages, etc. The assistant is launched by scrolling to the left of the main desktop, and a non-removable search bar is located at the top of all desktops. In addition, the search can be initiated from any screen by dictating a query after the phrase “Ok Google”.

Starting with the sixth version of Android, the service has acquired the “Now on Tap” function: when you long press the Home button, the system scans the content of the current screen and displays interactive prompts based on its contents. Hints are presented in the form of cards, one for each keyword, cards contain buttons or links to sites, social network profiles, etc.

Settings

In the application Settings you can get there: by clicking on the icon in the application menu (or on the desktop) or through the icon in the switch panel. The main screen of the application is divided into two tabs ALL and SUPPORT, in the latter you can find two links: Help Center / Give Feedback and Recommendations and Tips. In some countries, in the support tab, you can get help and ask a question to a live person in the chat. All smartphone settings are grouped into 4 groups: Wireless networks, Device, Personal data and System; and are divided into 22 sections. At the top, the 5th group is fixed, which is called Tips, here interactive tips for setting up the system appear. Another innovation is the presence of a Help / Feedback button in all sections / settings. In all Settings screens, except for the main one, there is a side menu for quickly navigating to other sections.

1. WI-FI - the main screen of the section contains a W-Fi switch, a list of available networks with a button for manually adding a network, a button that calls additional settings and a button that calls additional functions:

   

   
2. Bluetooth - the main screen of the section contains a Bluetooth switch, a list of available devices with the ability to search by name and a button that calls additional functions:
3. Data transfer - the main screen of the section contains: statistics of traffic consumption; subsection Saving traffic; Mobile data switch; subsection Mobile data transmission; subsection with traffic limit settings; Wi-Fi usage statistics; subsection of traffic restrictions on selected Wi-Fi networks; and a button that calls additional functions:

   

   
4. Also - additional settings for wireless networks.
5. Screen:
6. Notifications - in this section, you can configure notifications for each individual application, depending on the selected notification mode:

   

   
7. Sound.
8. Applications - the main screen of the section contains a list of all applications installed on the smartphone.
9. Storage - the main screen of the section contains statistics for persistent memory and the Open button, which sends it to the simplest file manager.

   

10. Battery - the main screen of the section contains: current charge level in percent; estimated remaining battery life; basic statistics on the use of battery power by various applications and devices; and a button that calls additional functions:

    

    
11. Memory - the main screen of the section displays brief information about the use of RAM. An additional screen displays more detailed statistics for different periods of time for applications and services.

    

12. Users - the main screen of the section contains a list of users with the ability to add new ones:

    

    
13. Contactless payment - in this section you can set up payment via NFC.

    

14. Motions - gestures to control your phone: quick access to notifications; quick access to the camera; fast switching between front and main cameras; viewing time and notifications by double-tapping the screen; and waking up the phone from the table.

    

15. Location;
16. Security:
17. Accounts - contains a list of accounts entered into the device with the ability to delete and add new ones:

    

18. Google - a section that contains all the settings of a user's Google account:

    

19. Language and input
20. Restore and reset - this section exists to reset the device to factory settings with the ability to back up all data
21. Date and time:
22. Specialist. features - here are collected functions to facilitate interaction with the device for people with disabilities:

    

    
23. Print - displays a list of print services and allows you to add new ones:

    

24. About phone:

Basic applications

Telephone- on the main screen of the application, the following are displayed: a search bar with buttons for voice search and calling the application settings, at the bottom, a button for calling the dialer. The Speed ​​Dial tab contains cards of frequently dialed contacts, the Recents tab contains a list of recent calls, the Contacts tab - all contacts, respectively. In the application settings, you can manage templates for quick responses and the list of blocked subscribers.

Contacts Is an application for working with user contacts. In terms of functionality, it is not much different from the Contacts tab in the Phone application.

Posts- application for working with SMS by default. The main screen of the application contains a list of dialogs, buttons for searching, setting and creating a new message. The application looks as simple as possible and has primitive functionality. From the unusual, I note how the application assigns its own unique primary color to each dialog.

Gmail Is the default email application since Android 5. You can add mailboxes to it not only from Google, but also from other mail services. The main screen displays a list of letters and buttons for searching and creating a new message. A swipe from the left edge of the screen brings up the sidebar, which contains a list of folders and a shortcut to settings.

Chrome- is the default system browser, its advantages include integration with Google services and ample opportunities for synchronizing tabs, forms, passwords, etc., the disadvantages are imperfect user interface and unnecessary load on the processor and battery.

Watch- includes the following functions: alarm clock, world clock, timer and stopwatch;

Camera... The main screen contains a viewfinder and buttons: shutter release, switching to the front camera, gallery, turning on the timer, activating the flash, switching the HDR + mode, turning on the grid, choosing the white balance preset and Advanced. Switching between photo and video shooting modes is done by swiping to the side. In addition to the main shooting mode, there are four more: Slow motion - allows you to shoot with four or eight times slow motion; Panorama - allows you to create panoramic photos with a viewing angle of up to 360 °; Photo Sphere - creating a photosphere; Blur - allows you to create photos with an artificial bokeh effect.

Photo- this application acts as a system gallery and at the same time is a client of the service of the same name from Google.

Calendar- the main view of the application is the Schedule, where all events go in one list, which is interesting: the beginning of each month in this list is titled with a nice picture reflecting the main essence of this month. To look at a month, you need to tap on the name of the current month in the header. The view can be changed to Day, 3 Days, Week and Month. The button for adding an event is displayed in the lower right corner.

Calculator- has standard and advanced functionality. In portrait orientation, a panel with additional functions (sin, cos, tan, ln, etc.) is called by swiping from the right edge of the screen, in landscape orientation this panel is always visible.

Cards Is a client application for Google Maps. The main screen contains a search bar and buttons: a side menu button, a voice search button, a north orientation button, a current location button, and a route creation button. In the side menu, you can save the selected area of ​​the map to the phone memory for further use of the application in offline mode. In the "Timeline" section, a log of the user's movements is kept. The section “Your impressions” contains reviews about public places: restaurants, shopping centers, beauty salons, etc.

Downloads- the simplest download manager.

Branded applications

Play Store Is an app store client and the main branded app from Google. It purchases, installs and updates third-party applications. The Games and Applications section is a virtual showcase that displays various product collections, for example, Latest or Most Popular Games, in the form of application thumbnails leading the corresponding selection and links to the entire list. The “Films, Music, Books” section is also a virtual showcase, but it presents the relevant content and press also in the form of selections and banners. For the convenience of the user, the section “My applications and games” consists of two lists: Installed and All. The "Wishlist" section shows all products that the user has ever marked as desired.

Play Games Is a client application of the service of the same name. The "Main" section displays basic data about the user: name, level, how many experience points you need to gain to go to the next level. Below are the lists of games: recommended games, games played by the user and what friends are playing. The My Games section contains three tabs: Recent, All and Installed. The "Notifications" section in three tabs displays a list of invitations, a list of gifts and requests, and a list of quests. The "Players" section in two tabs displays a list of Added players and a list of Recommended - friends of friends. The "Find games" section also contains three tabs: Recommended, Popular and Online games.

Play Music Is a music player and, at the same time, a client of the cloud music service of the same name. The "Home" section displays a list of the user's recent actions: listened to or purchased tracks. The "Music Library" section displays all the user's tracks, purchased or downloaded from a computer, sorted in tabs by playlist, artist, album or genre. There is an interesting function "Automix", it greatly simplifies the creation of playlists from a large number of tracks, to create an automix it is enough to specify the name of the artist, album or genre, and the application itself will create a new playlist. There is also a link to the Play Store in the side menu. the purchase of tracks is made only from it. Now there is an equalizer in the settings.

Play Movies Is a client of the service for buying / renting films and watching them on a mobile device. The "Home" section displays films, TV series and cartoons collected in playlists by genre and popularity. The "Library" section displays a list of films purchased or rented by the user. There is a link to the Play Store in the side menu.

Youtube Is a client of the service of the same name. The main screen is divided into four tabs: Home, Trending, Subscriptions and Account. The last tab contains sections: Watched, My Videos, Alerts, Purchases and Watch Later; as well as a list of playlists. The video viewing window is convenient and functional, but it has one unpleasant feature: when you open the video, it starts automatically downloading, even if the device uses a mobile network to access the Internet. Therefore, if you opened a video not to view it, but, for example, to view a description or comments, get ready to part with several tens (hundreds?) Of megabytes of traffic.

Disk Is an application for working with the Google Drive cloud storage service. The main screen displays the root directory of the user's repository and a list of recently opened files. The "Shared with me" section displays a list of files of other users that are open to access. In addition, there are sections: Google Photos, Recent, Starred, Offline access and Downloaded. The sidebar below shows how much disk space is used and how much is available to the user.

Over the past few years, Apple and Google have consistently moved their operating systems towards each other, to be precise, trying to flank each other. Apple is expanding functionality with each version of iOS and trying to make the system more flexible for the user and applications. Google is trying to fix the traditional weaknesses of Android: finally tidy up the work with notifications, make the GUI consistent and more accurate, and overcome the battery drain. And they, I must say, are moving in the right direction, it's a pity that sometimes they are too slow.

In Android 7.1 I am personally bribed by: more friendly multitasking mechanics and work with several applications in comparison with iOS; flexibility in the choice of tools for solving certain problems; deep integration with Google services that I actively use; smoother and more logical user interface. It is impossible not to notice how Google cleaned up the list of preinstalled applications, saving the user from junk. Doesn't suit me: the remaining drainage of the battery charge; inconsistency in the UI of the vast majority of applications and less efficient use of the screen surface. The system, despite constant improvements, still cannot be called completely secure, the overall optimization in iOS is still better. Summing up, we can unequivocally say that Android up to the fifth version and now they are practically two different systems, it is good that Google has found the right direction and are slowly and surely moving along it.