Android is the most widely used operating system in the global smartphone market, leaps above iOS. Granted, a number of manufacturers use Android; iOS is exclusive to iPhones, which explains Android's huge capture. But there's something vitally simple and feature-rich about Android, something so open and uncluttered, something so easily accessible and interactive.
That's mostly thanks to Google's laborious programming: tinkering the kinks, ironing out the trouble spots — so as to make Android perform at its best. The most recent one, Nougat, is already a pretty stellar operating system, chock full of Android's best features that have grown and matured since its early versions. It brought a handful of updates that enriched the Android experience further, such as multi-window multitasking, an enhanced user interface, better notifications, and more.
But there are still a couple of neat little extra tucked away underneath the software's surface that the general public might have missed. So here are things you can do on Nougat you probably didn't know.
Quick App Switching
While quick app switching isn't really a big secret, most publications haven't covered the wee function yet. On Nougat, when users tap the multitask interface, they have to flick through the stack just to get to their desired app. But sometimes, all users want to do is return to their previous app after running a different one for a quick, short task. To enable quick switching, tap the multitask window, then tap in a second time to immediately jump to the previous app being used.
Power Notifications
At least for Android devices from third-parties where the Android "skin" doesn't stray too far from the stock Android experience, there's a way to customize and take more control on how notifications appear. This is possible with "power notifications," which is available via the system UI tuner.
First, users need to access the actual system UI tuner. To do this, hold the settings icon on the notification panel, wait a few seconds — Business Insider notes it's about five to seven — and wait until it spins. Let go, and a little prompt informing the user that the "system UI tuner has been added to Settings" appears.
Access it, click on Other > Power notification controls. This will enable the users to fine-tune the level of intrusion notifications can have. In non-power notifications options, users are only limited to put notifications on silent, block them, or neither. The extended settings give users levels with ascending elements of disruption. For example, level 2 involves silencing notifications with no peek pop-ups and zero full screen interruptions. You get the drift.
Change The Display Size
Users can change the system's display size on Nougat via Settings > Display > Display size. There are five sizes available, letting users decide on how large UI elements and text should appear.
Status Bar Customizations
Other smartphone manufacturers already have options to customize the status bar baked into their custom Android skin, but only with Android Nougat has such a feature been added as a core part of the stock Android OS. However, it's is still tucked away in the System UI tuner.
Simply bring up the system UI tuner again following the steps detailed above, go to the status bar area, and there, users can control what shows up and what doesn't. For example, for users who prefer not to have the alarm indicator stamped on the status bar, they may remove it. Or if they want, they can also add a battery percentage next to the battery icon.
And Of Course, The Nougat Easter Egg
Android wouldn't be Android without the fun little Easter egg that changes every major version. To access it, head over to Settings > About > Android version number. Tap and hold this until a splash screen with the Nougat logo shows up. Tap and hold once again to see a small cat emoji appear on the bottom of the display. Then, open quick settings and add the new "empty dish" tile. Tap the tile, add a treat, and wait for the cat to come running out.
Edit Notifications Quickly
For those who want to edit notification settings for specific apps right inside the pull-down panel, simply tap and hold, or push a particular app's notification to the side to reveal a settings icon. This even works on the lock screen.
Have you discovered any trick and hidden feature on Nougat not included here? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
