Top 10 Google Nexus 7 features

Got your eye on Google’s new tablet? Already have one? Here are the ten things to try first…

There hasn’t been this much excitement around a tablet release since the original iPad, but the new Google Nexus 7 is selling fast for good reason – it’s very, very good.

Whether you’ve already snapped one up or you’re planning to invest in a Nexus 7, make sure you don’t miss out on these top ten things to do with the new Google tablet.

1. Register and get £15

Google Now

Clever search with Google Now

You get £15. That’s £15! Free! Everyone that buys and registers a Google Nexus 7 on Google Play will receive £15 credit on their Google Play account to spend on a choice of thousands of apps.

2. Google Now

The clever new search system from Google actually learns from your searches and offers up a range of advanced features: for example, it automatically warns you about traffic hold ups on your way home.

To use Google Now on the Nexus 7, press and hold the Home Page button and swipe up to the Google icon.

3. Voice search

While we’re talking about Google Now, a key update for it on the Nexus 7 is the enhanced voice search capabilities. Android has always offered voice recognition for dialling, searching and general dictation, but Google Now incorporates intelligent search so it “knows” what you’re asking about.

Simply tap the microphone icon and ask away.

4. Live Face Unlock

Google introduced Face Unlock – the ability to unlock a device using face recognition – back in Android 4.0 ICS, but people noticed you could get round it by using a photo to unlock a device.

The update makes sure you are the owner (and not just a stolen photo) by asking you to blink before it’ll unlock. Check Settings > Security > Screen lock to get started with Face Unlock.

5. Google Chrome browser

The newly-crowned world’s most popular browser is now the default web browser for Android. It makes for a seamless link between your devices thanks to the ability to synchronise the tabs you were using last on your desktop or laptop direct to the Nexus 7.

6. New-look Notifications

Swipe down from the top of the Nexus 7 screen and behold, new-look notifications! These offer far more details for emails, calendar events and pretty much anything else that you get notifications for.

7. Screen rotation

Get the Google Nexus manual in Android Books

Get the Google Nexus manual in Android Books

Google has taken the choice to lock the Nexus 7 to a portrait screen orientation. If you prefer a landscape mode, open the notification drawer and tap the odd-looking rectangle icon with arrows around it. The Home Page cannot be rotated but this will unlock screen rotation for most other applications.

8. Screen grab

This might sound mundane but being able to take a screen grab of what you’re doing on an Android device is something of a revelation. Simply press the Power and the Volume down buttons at the same time to capture a screen grab. It will be saved into the Android Gallery.

9. The manual

You might not know it but the Google Nexus 7 comes with a full electronic manual. You’ll need to run Google Books and then you’ll find it waiting patiently in your library, along with a few other free books. Happy reading!

10. Better connected

You might spot four metal dots in one corner of the Google Nexus 7 and wonder what they’re for? This is called a pogo connector as it enables you to simple drop and pick up a device from a dock with no plugging required. So, expect a Google Nexus 7 dock soon.

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