Google Nexus 7

Announced at the Google I/O, July 2012, the Asus manufactured Google Nexus 7 has been one of the most talked about Android tablets in the market. Equipped with Google’s latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and impressive specs in the form of a Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor clocked at 1.3 GHz and a twelve-core 416 MHz Nvidia GeForce ULP GPU ,1GB RAM and a 7″ LED-backlit IPS display at low prices of US $199/$249 for 8GB/16GB models respectively makes it a really good buy.

Well, looking at the current Google Nexus 7′s success, it’s been reported that Google is planning a $99 edition of the tablet, set to release by the end of this year. Also a 10″ one seems to be on its way, expected to directly compete with Apple’s iPad.

Today, we are going to have a look at some of the awesome things you can do on your Google Nexus 7 tablet.

• Use Your Nexus 7 tablet as a phone:

Download GrooVe IP Lite

GrooVe IP Lite is an android app that that connects to Google Voice using Voice over IP (VoIP), allowing you to make free unlimited calls to any phone in the US or Canada without using your voice minutes.

Works on any android device, phone or tablet, and allows you to make calls using a WiFi data connection. If you have a smartphone with Wi-Fi connectivity but no mobile plan, you can use this app to convert it to a free, full-featured working phone.

With the full/paid version of GrooVe IP:
- Calls over a mobile data connection not just WiFi
- Native dialer integration
- Proximity sensor support
- Change sign in status or sign in invisible

Groove IP on Nexus 7

Isn’t it awesome! Woopie!!

• Download Gaming Emulators:

The Nexus 7 is a great device for gaming and the 7″ “fits-perfectly-in-the-hand” display along with its light-weight build makes it all the more an awesome experience.

Download them here. You can find more here.

For ones not listed, you can always google them up. There are many emulators out there and hopefully we’ve covered out most of them.

Contra on Nexus 7

Contra, Super Mario Bros., Street Fight, Ninja Turtles, Pokemon….argh the list is endless! Get them! Get #nostalgic!

• Root your Nexus 7:

For root access, you can follow up this simple tutorial. It’s a MUST-DO! Now!

It’s very easy. Many amazing apps like the ones which disable in-app-advts., the ones which allow you to mod, give system level access to you making you the Super User, allow you to take necessary backups just in case you mess up in any case, remove system junk apps, underclocking/overclocking your processor to improve battery life/performance, basically do everything you want with your Android and use it like a boss without any restrictions, all need ROOT ACCESS.

However, rooting your android device does void your warranty. But, trust me, without root access, you aren’t honestly experiencing Android’s true potential.

• Download Beats Audio™ Installer [ROOT]:

This app will install Beats Audio drivers to your system. You will hear a big difference on high end phones but even low end devices will profit from this drivers. Get it here. Requires your Nexus 7 to be rooted.

For more queries and FAQ’s refer to the original XDA thread. Enjoy some quality beats!

You can also check out our previous article regarding improving sound quality on the Nexus 7, here.

• Download Widgetsoid:

If you want to control your phone Widgetsoid is THE tool to have.Well and truly the home of full toolbox for your android device. Widgetsoid is a group of widgets that allow you to enable/disable (toggle) most of the internal android services, as well as show you helpful information about your android phone.
It comes with many widgets that have many sizes and possibilities.  Widgetsoid has indicators to show signal strength of GSM and WiFi, as well as a digital clock and battery level indicator.  There are also other widgets to toggle (enable/disable) phone options, create shortcuts to launch your apps.  All of this can be done with toolbars and switcher widgets directly on your home screen , notification bar, or swipe panel.

You can find more informations on official web site http://widgetsoid.jaumard.com.

• Get an alternate Launcher/Icon packs:

Nova Launcher provides close-to-stock vanilla Android experience along with many extra features. Its way better than the many ugly launchers out there. Another alternative is Apex Launcher. These two are the most popular ones, with close-to-stock experience and will allow you to theme your Android device in many ways available.

Get new ICON PACKS from the Google PlayStore! Go in your Nova/Apex Launcher settings and there must be an option to customize the looks and feel and there you must find it, the option to select new Icon packs! And now you have a completely new UI look on your Nexus 7 tablet.

Mi-UI Icon Pack on Nexus 7

Well, these were some of the must-do things on your Google Nexus 7 tablet. Hope you liked them. Log on to www.androidnova.org for more exciting news and tutorials. Cheers.