Google Nexus 7: Software
The Nexus 7 brings with it the latest version of Android, this time it's called 4.1 Jelly Bean, an incremental update to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. See also: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean FAQ: What you need to know.
There's no major overhaul of the interface so existing Android users will be immediately familiar with the layout and the way things work. However, Google has improved the performance and responsiveness of the operating system. In a word it's slick, a polished and refined version of Ice Cream Sandwich and finally closes the gap between Android and iOS.
We experienced no lag whatsoever across the entire tablet whether we were moving around the home screens, menus or scrolling through a video. Web surfing with the pre-loaded Chrome browser also gave smooth performance, loading pages fast and not batting an eyelid at pinch zooming or scrolling.
Nice enhancements have been made to notifications, now shown in a drop down bar again. Some of which expand to show more information and allow you to respond via action buttons without opening the associated app. For example, the Gmail notifications group emails together and can show the subject line of each.
Widgets now resize automatically to the space you place them into while app shortcuts, and other widgets, rearrange themselves if you place a widget over the top. There isn't a great deal of pre-loaded widgets to choose from but the Play Store has plenty on offer.
The one issue we had with the interface on the Nexus 7 was that the home screens don't support a landscape mode. The tablet is designed to be held in portrait orientation but we still would like the option to use it in landscape mode as well.
Dictation can now be used offline and there are a number of improvements and changes to Google search. Search results are displayed in information cards and you can use voice to ask questions and get answers back in an audible voice, like Apple's Siri.
We found the voice recognition understood the vast majority of questions we asked and gave us an answer quickly as well as providing excellent accuracy for dictating emails and such.
Google Now is the main feature of Jelly Bean and aims to be a step ahead by predicting what information you will need, such as directions or train times so you don't actually need to manually search for it. It will gather what it thinks is useful information and presents it neatly in separate cards.
The feature is accessible via the lock screen, by swiping up from the bottom of the screen at any time or by holding the home button and selecting the Google icon. We found it really handy since it gives you all the kind of information you would usually search for with additional suggestions such as local attractions based on your location. Its downfall is the need for an internet connection meaning when you're out and about you'll have to tether it to your phone.
Probably the biggest issue with 4.1 Jelly Bean is the lack of Flash support. This means you can't, for example, watch Flash-based video content on websites like PC Advisor and while you wait for update to the BBC iPlayer app you can't access it via the Chrome browser. Until content providers move away from Flash, the Nexus 7 will be somewhat limiting.
Google Nexus 7: Battery life
Google touts an iPad matching 10 hours of battery life while browsing the web over Wi-Fi using the Nexus 7's 16Wh battery. In our tests the Nexus 7 lasted two and a half days' worth of use involving regular periods of use connected to Wi-Fi.
We were pleased with this result after using the Nexus 7 for a variety of tasks. Like with most smartphones and tablets, the screen used the majority of the juice.
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Comments
me said: Still an annoying Knobhead
me said: Annoying Knobhead
365trustbuy said: The market is stirred up However it will not beat the low end market to a large scale due to there are still too many others at lower prices that fully targeting the low end markets
Miss Glass101 said: Thanks for the adviseIm in the market for a tablet and have been wanting affordability being on a veterans budget
Skelf72 said: How would you compare this to kindle fire
J Maybury54 said: yes a good idea but the problem with having a memory stick or pen a you call it can get knocked while the stick is in the micro socket and brake the connections on the micro socket which is very costly as this happened to me last month
J Maybury54 said: A lot of you are missing the point an SD reader can give you access to large files that you need instantly at any time any where to use the cloud you have to be connected Wi-Fi basically sucks from the coffee shop downthe road and the 3gs package deals are too expensive I for one cant afford 25 a monthso SD card are the best solution to the problem they take up no space in the pocket and the download is instant with just the price of the card to payAnd yes there are lots of tablets without SD slots and all of them are just as useless without them and that includes Apple
Dave Taylor said: Great little tablet Ive an iPad2 iPad3 Retina and now one of these Had it about 5 days and im now using the N7 more than the iPads probably down tothesize and the novelty value probably would bethesame if I got an iPad mini but I want to wait till the retina iteration No 3G sim is not a problem I just use my phone as a hotspot Same with the lack of SD slot not an issue for me with a USB connector and wifi connection to my Google Drive and Drop box and my phone hotspot
Greenthumb said: I refuse to buy a tablet that does not have a micro SD slot
Chauhansunil Sunil2 said: Hi that the awesome features by u
Stratton Joe said: Yes you can tether it to a smart phone in your wireless and network settings go to tethering and portable hotspots and set your phone up here on your nexus 7 go to wifi settings and get it to search for wifi connections your phone will be one of them hope this helpsStratton Joe
jollydoc said: This sounds great and is very highly rated by Stuff magazine I am looking for a new GPS and as well as using the tablet features wonder how live google maps is without 3G I presume there is no car mount so thought of getting one of those dashboard cushions Advice from an expert please and l am ready to go
investeast said: I was toying with purchasing an iPad - but have now bought the Nexus 7 instead
investeast said: Think out of the Box You have paid a small price for a high performance tool Now you want storage - go buy a Seagate Satellite 500GB wifi Ext DriveThen no competitor can match its performance amp priceperformance0 mistake - SD cards are not for Tablets That is History It does not matter whether you have 8GB 16GB or 32GB if you are connected to a 500GB Drive amp then there is the cloud
investeast said: Not Greedy - Unlike some we know Happy with a 3333 margin over manufacturing cost on the 8MB amp up this to 54 on 16GB
investeast said: Go Get a Seagate Satellite 500gb wifi hub External driveThen you can store ove 500 movies and provide video streaming download to multiple devices simultaneously
investeast said: If you are an Android phone user you would have charger cables attached to LaptopPC amp in-car charger
investeast said: Buy an Android phone amp tether for 3G or use wifi hub of Phone or 500gb Seagate SatelliteThere is normally a good amp simple solution to every problem
investeast said: Why is iPad - more capable Specifications Accessories or Apps or just styleDo you have other Apple technology Do you need to integrate all types of Data across different platformsMy Nexus 7 has been picked up by a friend in the Big Apple - sorry maybe Apple will sue Mr Bloomberg as mayor of NYC
investeast said: Have just acquired my Nexus 7 through a friend in USAFor the same cost as in my EU country I could have a 500 GB wifi Ext Hard drive Seagate Satellite