Android 7 Nougat update initial impressions

Android 7 Nougat Update
Android 7 Nougat Update

I finally got the prompt to download the update to Android 7.0 Nougat on my Motorola Nexus 6 telephone.  This phone was launched in November of 2014 along with the release of Android 5 Lollipop and was discontinued about a year later in December of 2015.

It worked pretty well and in the time in between now and then, it was also updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow.  That brought additional features and fixes.

Android 6 Marshmallow
Android 6 Marshmallow

Sometime last year Google started publishing monthly security updates for recent Android devices.  The Nexus devices are typically the first to get updates from Google as there’s less involvement from the cellphone carriers and phone manufacturers in approving the update, since the software on the phone is pretty much just Android without any carrier or manufacturer add ins.

Android Security Updates
Android Security Updates

You can check your Android device to see what version operating system and which security update you have under the About menu in Settings.

Android 7 Nougat details
Android 7 Nougat details

My Nexus 9 tablet got the 7.0 update a couple of weeks ago, and has since been updated to 7.1.1  It also was launched about 2 years ago using Android 5 Lollipop and has been used with Marshmallow during the time in between.

My Nexus 6 got the March 5 security update as well as the 7.0.0 update.

Android 7 Nougat
Android 7 Nougat

My initial impressions of Android 7.0 are that it has easier to read notifications and the ability to split the screen and have two apps running side by side is pretty cool, especially on tablets or cellphones with large screens.

Split screen in Android 7
Split screen in Android 7 Nougat

I haven’t noticed any slow down or issues with apps since upgrading.  Sadly my “old” phone and tablet are at the end of the line for Android System updates from Google.  I suppose two years and 2 major release upgrades are pretty good compared to other devices which never were updated or only got one.  I’ll continue to get security updates for about 1 more year.  When those stop I’ll probably be in the market for replacements.

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Who uses the same cellphone for 3-4 years?  Apparently I will but it’s only because Google has been providing updates for the Nexus devices.  If this is still the case I’ll probably buy my replacement from them.  I’m also happy with Google’s Project Fi and would need a cellphone that’s supported.