In one member of the lineup, a killer design. In the other, unbeatable durability. In both, chart-topping power, premium build quality, and a smattering of features to spoil all but the absolute most discerning smartphone critics. The only thing missing from Lenovo’s Verizon-exclusive Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid was a tasty Nougat treat, but Verizon has rectified that. With the two phones now able to run the most recent Android update outside of the exclusive grasp of Pixel owners and custom ROM junkies, some Verizon customers who have taken the update or may be on the fence will likely want a quick rundown of the features and changes that Android 7.0 (Nougat) brings to their device, and Verizon now has you covered.
The new software update will bring your software version up to NCL25.86-11, and brings with all the normal trappings of a Nougat update. One of the biggest features is officially supported multi-window. In the changelog, Verizon even gives a quick rundown of how to use the function; hold down your recent apps button to put your current app in the top half of the screen, freeing up the bottom half for another app. Alternatively, you can hold and drag an app from your recents menu into the top or bottom spot. Quick-switching between your current and most recent app can now be done via a double-tap of the button. Notifications from the same app will be grouped, and you can play around with the settings for a given notification by sliding the notification just a bit to the side or by tapping and holding it. Quick settings can also be edited now, by simply tapping “EDIT” in the bottom left corner. Finally, on the user-facing side, Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid users can finally take advantage of Nougat’s vast emoji selection.
On top of all of the interface tweaks, Nougat also brings a few under the hood features to the Moto Z lineup that make things a bit easier in day to day operation. The settings menu has been changed around to be easier to navigate via a hamburger menu containing all of the main settings options, accessible via a left or right swipe. This means that the days of hitting the back button 3 or 4 times are over. A data saver setting is now on board to help you manage your data use, and can be accessed through your main settings menu, then Data usage, then Data Saver. Finally, Doze will now help preserve your battery any time the screen is off, rather than only when you’re immobile.