The Moto Z and Moto Z Force devices on the Verizon network have started receiving the Android Nougat update.
Even though Verizon has not come out with an official statement claiming the availability of this new operating system, it is now available across the North American markets. The new update has taken a while to arrive even though the Moto Z and the Moto Z Force run on the stock versions of Android with very limited changes.
The update is quite heavy coming in at 1.5 GB in total, and it is recommended to use a Wi-Fi connection in order to download it rather than mobile data. Further, it gets considerably hot when updating the phones and it is recommended to remove any covers that may block the heat from dissipating. Motorola says that the estimated install time of the update should be around 20 minutes.
As with the Android Nougat, the new operating system brings some crucial elements to the phone like the ability to switch between recent apps rather quickly. Users will also get quick toggles of their choice after just one pull down of the notification bar. Of course, the settings can be customized. The new update still does not bring the pixel launcher to the phone. Revealed on the Google Pixel, the new launcher from Google has been making a lot of positive inroads with its ability to take the operating system to a whole new level in terms of feel.
It is not surprising that the Moto Z and Moto Z Force are the first devices from the company to receive this update. They are extremely powerful devices sporting the snapdragon 820 processors. Launched only recently, they represent the shift into the new future for Motorola devices under the regime of Lenovo. The latter is looking highly likely to launch all their future phones under the Moto brand and the availability of the Android Nougat on these products shows that they are quite serious in this intent.
Other elements of the Moto Z and the Moto Z Force that have been receiving positive reviews are the support to modules. These two devices are perhaps the best representation of the modularity that Google recently made popular at the I/Os. Since the update will be available over the air, it becomes extremely easy to get started with the new operating systems. The Android Nougat experience is sure to take the Moto Z and the Moto Z Force to the next level.