[Nishikawa's irregular column] the latest Android that supports Android 4.2 ~ multi-users, etc.

　Android 4.2 for Nexus7 was released in the early morning of November 14th. Because OTA is scrolling output, it is not sent by all users, but in turn. As far as the author is concerned, the update came in the morning of the next day. Focusing on different points, I will send you a usage report right away.

　At present, many Android aircraft, mainly based on smartphones, have just begun to transition / update to 4.0.x (Ice Cream Sandwich), while Nexus7 originally adopted 4.1.x (Jelly Bean) and will soon experience new features and ease of use. As for the sense of use, as there is another report, please refer to it. This time I would like to focus on the additional part in 4.2.

　The update from 4.1.x to 4.2 is itself OTA, so it's very simple. After being updatable, a screen capture-like display appears. Click "restart and install". After the restart, the OS update starts and ends in a few minutes. When started, it becomes a lock screen.

　It will soon be different here, with a "+" display added to the screen. This is the new feature of 4. 2 "put widget on lock screen". Because the application also needs to be processed, currently only standard clocks, calendars, and Gmail can be configured.

　It's really convenient because you can see the information without unlocking it, but the locking screen is also easy to see outside the owner. So even if the clock is good, calendars and Gmail are a bit of a drag. Hope to deal with the weather forecast and other indisputable Mini Program as soon as possible.

　Although there is no change in the home screen, in the case of the smartphone UI, when you slide down from the upper status bar, the display part of the notification area is changed slightly.

　When you slide down the left from the center, the notification area is displayed as before. When you slide down on the right, you can set screen brightness, Settings, Wi-Fi, Lock screen orientation, Battery, Flight Mode, and Bluetooth. Because the bottom box is empty, I want GPS's ON/OFF in the future.

　As a detail, you can cite the deletion of the corresponding cache data from the project in which the cache data is set to "store". In addition, "Gesture Typing (English only)" has been added, in which "Google Now" is more compact and can swipe finger input on the software keyboard.

　A "screen saver" has been added to the setup monitor. There are 5 kinds of clock, color, current, photo table and picture frame that can be set. You can specify the details of the setting icon on the right side of the project. For example, if it is a clock, style: digital / analog, night mode: the use of ON/OFF in a dark room. Displays the set RSS feeds in the current sequence.

　"screen saver start time" can choose any one of the bracket installation / charging time. By default, when you install the bracket, you cannot open the screen saver if you do not notice the project.

　In order to observe the performance changes, when performing "MOBILE GPUMARK" on 4.1.2 and 4.2, the score of RIGID GEMS/DEAD PARKING/NATURAL BONE is basically the same, while GPU BENCHMARK around 4.2 is faster. Considering that the score of the au version of XOOM is 1century 717, it can be considered that the gap is not small. Perhaps related to this, the display is also smooth in 4.1.2, but feels smoother in 4.2.

　What is interesting is that there are still applications in 4.2. Within the scope confirmed by the author, Firefox conforms to. Although it starts, it will fall at the slightest touch. Hoping for an early response.

[added at 11:25] Firefox has been updated to support Android 4.2.

　What I personally want to focus on is multi-user correspondence. Especially in the case of tablets, it is common to want to use not only the owner, but also the home, etc. In a traditional system that only considers a single user, it is either e-mail or photos, and private messages are simply accessible to others. To deal with this problem, switch multiple users from 4.2, using the same device.

　The mechanism is very simple. Starting from the second person, since there is an "append user" item in the upper right corner of the setting user, if you click on the item and follow the instructions to return to the lock screen. Because the icon of the new user is displayed, when the screen is clicked and unlocked, the initial setting screen immediately after the purchase appears.

　Then enter the necessary project login to complete. Become the main picture of the initial state. Of course, Google accounts can be matched separately. You can set up your favorite application and create a completely independent environment. Within the scope of a light trial, applications and data used by any other user are inaccessible.

　As a digression, it can be said that this function is also a very rare new function for writers like the author. For example, when writing Nexus7 reports, create your own environment and, to some extent, master the use of touch, temporarily reset in order to capture pictures, and so on. Returned to the initial shipping state.

　There is no problem with borrowing from the manufacturer, however, with regard to the equipment purchased by yourself, after being included in the manuscript, we will return to the sad work of the original environment (laughter). But with Android 4.2, you can create new users and delete them after all processing. In the meantime, as long as you log in with the original user, you can use it as usual. This means "one multi-user". Even the average user has a working and private environment.

　The difference between the standard apps in Android 4.1.x and 4.2 is that there are "Latitude apps" that can confirm the location of friends. Meanwhile, "Latitude Wejet" has disappeared. On the contrary, the "digital clock network" is added. In addition, the design of the analog watch Vegit has also changed.

　Since multiple identical environments are created in one device, it can also be seen from the picture capture that additional storage will be used only by the number of users. In addition, some processes and services seem to be running. Therefore, if you want to use this feature, the storage capacity is as large as possible. However, other users no longer know how much they have used.

　Admirably, when connecting through USB from PC, the content also changes depending on the user who can access the storage login. As a result, not only confidentiality can be maintained when operating the subject, but also the privacy of data exchange using PC can be maintained for each user.

　From here on, this is only the author's personal opinion. After using Nexus7 for a long time and returning to iPad for a long time, I always feel that it is not satisfactory. Nothing moved on the main screen, which seems to be the reason. In addition, Windows Phone7.5 has also touched it a little recently, including Windows8, there is also an icon called on-site tiles and Mini Program-like display with actions in the icon. In other words, even if the main picture is untouched, you can get the information you want to some extent.

　However, when there is an update or new arrival in iOS, there are only numbers on the red circle, no text message at all, and the details are confirmed in the notification area. Considering the battery drive, it may be more energy-efficient, but if you just configure the icon on that wide screen, there will be no feeling.

　In addition, Android 4.2 supports multiple users, allowing multiple people to use one device. In addition, although the installation is slightly different, Windows Phone8 that is not logged in in Japan also takes into account the features used by others to some extent. Known as the "children's corner", if you have set up available applications, videos, music, etc., you can arrange the set applications as long as you slide the lock screen to the side. In the video of the presentation, the child stepped onto the stage and gave a demonstration that emphasized this function.

　Smartphones and tablets are basically personal stuff, but in some cases, people around you want to use it, too. This is the form in which the corresponding features are required and installed.

　These two features are not currently installed in iOS 6.x. If both correspond, there will be a big specification change. Personally, I am watching what will happen in the future.

　As mentioned above, Android 4.2 is a new version that supports multiple users in addition to minor modifications / additions. Especially in the case of tablets, in many cases, only the owner is not necessarily the only user, this feature seems to be very useful.

　Currently, the number of devices available is limited to Nexus4/7/10, but there are also many users looking forward to updates.