Cheat Sheet
Nexus 7 For Dummies
The Google Nexus 7 is a complex piece of electronics — delightful, inspirational, intimidating. If you want to get the most from your tablet, some gentle hand-holding and careful explanation are required. If something ever goes wrong with your Google Nexus 7, contact Google for help or call (855)-836-3987.
Nexus 7 Home Screens
The main screen on the Google Nexus 7 is the Home screen. You actually have five Home screen panels to adorn with icons and widgets.
Nexus 7 Icon Buttons
To get the most from your Google Nexus 7, get to know these important icon buttons, including the navigation buttons found at the bottom of the touchscreen.
Basic Nexus 7 Touchscreen Operations
It takes a certain finesse to work the Google Nexus 7 touchscreen. Here are some common operations you can perform using your fingers on your tablet:
| Operation | Result |
|---|---|
| Touch | The simplest way to manipulate the touchscreen is to touch it. You touch an object, an icon, a control, a menu item, or a doodad. The touch operation is similar to a mouse click on a computer. Touch may also be referred to as tap or press. |
| Double-tap | Touch the screen twice in the same location. Double-tapping can be used to zoom in on an image or a map, but it can also zoom out. Because of the double-tap’s dual nature, use the pinch or spread operation instead when you want to zoom. |
| Long-press | A long-press occurs when you touch part of the screen and hold your finger down. Depending on what you’re doing, a pop-up menu may appear, or the item you’re long-pressing may get “picked up” so that you can drag (move) it around. The long-press might also be referred to as touch and hold in documentation. |
| Swipe | To swipe, touch your finger on one spot and then drag it to another spot. Swipes can go up, down, left, or right, which moves the touchscreen content in the direction you swipe your finger. A swipe can be fast or slow. It’s also called a flick or slide. |
| Pinch | A pinch involves two fingers, which start out separated and then are brought together. You use a pinch to zoom out, reduce the size of an image, or see more of a map. |
| Spread | The opposite of pinch is spread. You start out with your fingers together and then spread them. The spread is used to zoom in, enlarge an image, or see more detail on a map. |
| Rotate | A few apps let you rotate an image on the screen by touching the image with two fingers and twisting them around a center point. Think of turning a combination lock on a safe, and you get the rotate operation. |
Nexus 7 Tricks to Remember
Here is an assortment of handy, time-saving tricks for you to keep in mind while you use, abuse, or excuse your Google Nexus 7 tablet:
Dictation! You can speak into the Nexus 7 as an effective and quick alternative to using the onscreen keyboard.
Switch quickly between two or more programs by using the Recent Apps button, found in the lower-right corner of the Home screen.
Remember that you can add icons and widgets to the Home screen panels.
The Nexus 7 can make phone calls, but you must install the proper app. For traditional phone calls, Skype is a good idea. The Talk app can be used for video chat.
Use the various Search commands to look for things on the Nexus 7, on the Internet, or in a specific app.
