What Is Nougat for Android?
Nougat was the seventh major version of the Android operating system, known for its refined user interface and performance enhancements. It provided users with a smoother, more efficient mobile experience.
Introduction to Android Nougat
Android Nougat, officially Android 7.0 and 7.1, was a significant iteration in the evolution of Google’s mobile operating system. Released in 2016, it built upon the foundations laid by its predecessors, Marshmallow and Lollipop, introducing a host of new features and improvements aimed at enhancing both user experience and device performance. Nougat focused on refined aesthetics, increased functionality, and enhanced security, making it a popular choice for smartphone manufacturers and users alike. Its influence can still be felt in modern Android versions, as many of its innovations have become standard features.
Key Features and Improvements
Nougat introduced several notable features that distinguished it from previous Android versions. These features contributed to a more streamlined, efficient, and enjoyable user experience.
- Multi-window Support: Nougat enabled users to run two apps simultaneously on the screen, either side-by-side or one above the other. This feature dramatically improved multitasking capabilities.
- Quick Switch: Tapping the Overview button twice quickly switches between the two most recently used apps, providing fast and convenient navigation.
- Bundled Notifications: Notifications were grouped by app, making it easier to manage and prioritize incoming information. Expanding a bundle reveals individual notifications.
- Direct Reply: Users could reply to messages directly from the notification shade without opening the app, saving time and simplifying communication.
- Doze on the Go: Building upon Marshmallow’s Doze mode, Nougat further optimized battery life by entering a low-power state even when the device was moving.
- Data Saver: This feature helped users reduce data usage by restricting background data access for apps and compressing data.
- Vulcan API: Improved graphics performance with the introduction of the Vulcan API allowing developers to create graphically intensive games.
The Development and Release Process
The development of Android Nougat involved a series of preview builds released to developers, allowing them to test their apps and provide feedback. This iterative process helped Google refine the operating system and address any potential issues before the official release.
- Developer Previews: Google released several developer previews starting in March 2016, providing developers with early access to Nougat’s features and APIs.
- Public Beta Program: Users could participate in a public beta program to test Nougat on compatible devices and provide feedback to Google.
- Official Release: Android 7.0 Nougat was officially released to Nexus devices in August 2016. Subsequent updates, including Android 7.1, were released later.
- OEM Adoption: Following the official release, manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC, and LG began rolling out Nougat updates to their devices.
Under the Hood: Technical Enhancements
Beyond the user-facing features, Nougat brought several significant technical improvements that enhanced performance, security, and developer capabilities.
- Just-In-Time (JIT) Compiler: Nougat introduced a JIT compiler to the Android Runtime (ART), which significantly improved app performance and reduced installation times.
- File-Based Encryption: Encryption was enhanced by encrypting individual files rather than the entire partition, improving security and performance.
- Seamless Updates: Certain devices received support for seamless updates, allowing users to continue using their devices while updates were downloaded and installed in the background.
- Scoped Directory Access: Apps were given more granular control over which directories they could access, improving security and privacy.
Evolution and Successors
Nougat served as a crucial stepping stone in the evolution of Android. Its features and improvements laid the groundwork for subsequent Android versions, such as Oreo and Pie. Many of the user interface elements and functionalities introduced in Nougat have been refined and incorporated into later iterations of the operating system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the main benefits of upgrading to Android Nougat?
Upgrading to Android Nougat offered several significant benefits, including improved multitasking through multi-window support, enhanced battery life with Doze on the Go, and increased efficiency with direct reply from notifications. The refined user interface and faster app performance also contributed to a more enjoyable user experience.
Which devices were compatible with Android Nougat?
Initially, Android Nougat was released for Nexus devices such as the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 6. Subsequently, many other manufacturers including Samsung, HTC, LG, and Sony released Nougat updates for their respective devices. The specific devices that received the update varied depending on the manufacturer and model.
How did Nougat improve battery life compared to previous versions?
Nougat further improved battery life compared to Marshmallow through the Doze on the Go feature. In addition to the idle-time Doze mode, Nougat also activated Doze when the device was in motion but not actively being used, such as when carried in a pocket or bag. This resulted in significant power savings compared to previous Android versions.
What is multi-window support in Android Nougat?
Multi-window support in Android Nougat allowed users to run two apps simultaneously on the screen, either side-by-side or one above the other. This feature significantly enhanced multitasking capabilities, allowing users to work or play more efficiently. Users could resize the app windows to their liking, optimizing the screen space for each app.
How did Nougat handle notifications differently from previous Android versions?
Nougat introduced bundled notifications, grouping notifications by app. This made it easier to manage and prioritize incoming information. Users could expand a bundle to reveal individual notifications and act on them directly from the notification shade. Additionally, Nougat introduced direct reply, allowing users to reply to messages without opening the app.
What is the Vulcan API, and how did it impact gaming on Android?
The Vulcan API is a low-overhead, cross-platform 3D graphics API that was introduced in Android Nougat. It provided developers with more direct control over the GPU, allowing them to create more graphically intensive and efficient games. Vulcan also reduced CPU overhead, resulting in improved performance and battery life.
What is the difference between Android 7.0 and Android 7.1?
Android 7.1 was a minor update to Android 7.0 Nougat. It included several new features such as app shortcuts, image keyboard support, and round icon resources. Android 7.1 also included various bug fixes and performance improvements. While the core functionality remained the same, Android 7.1 offered a more refined and polished experience.
How did Android Nougat enhance security and privacy?
Nougat enhanced security and privacy through several mechanisms, including file-based encryption which encrypted individual files rather than the entire partition. This improved security and performance. Additionally, Nougat introduced scoped directory access, giving apps more granular control over which directories they could access. These measures helped to protect user data and privacy.
How can I check if my device is running Android Nougat?
You can check if your device is running Android Nougat by going to Settings > About Phone > Software Information. The Android version number will be displayed there. If it shows Android 7.0 or 7.1, your device is running Android Nougat. The exact path may vary slightly depending on the device manufacturer.
What are app shortcuts in Android 7.1?
App shortcuts, introduced in Android 7.1, allowed users to access specific functions within an app directly from the home screen. By long-pressing on an app icon, users could reveal a menu of shortcuts that would take them directly to specific features within the app, such as composing a new email or navigating to a specific location. This offered a quicker, more efficient way to access commonly used functions.
What is the significance of “seamless updates” introduced in Android Nougat?
Seamless updates, supported on certain devices running Nougat, allowed users to continue using their devices while updates were downloaded and installed in the background. The update was installed to a separate system partition, and the device would simply switch to the new partition upon reboot. This eliminated the downtime associated with traditional updates.
Why is the Android version number significant?
The Android version number is significant because it indicates the features, security patches, and performance improvements included in that version of the operating system. Each major version typically brings new functionalities and optimizations that enhance the user experience. Knowing the Android version helps users understand what their device is capable of and whether they need to upgrade for better performance or security.