Tablets By Ryan Whitwam Dec. 26, 2013 11:20 am
The 2013 Nexus 7 clocks in at just $229 making it one of the most affordable small tablets out there. Unlike the similarly priced Kindle Fire tablets, this device is running pure Android with all the Google apps you know and love. These are all good tablets, but if you want the geek-approved experience with Google’s apps, you’ll want the Nexus.
If you found a Nexus 7 under the tree this year, you’re in for a real adventure (don’t worry, we mean that in a good way). Here’s what you should do with that new tablet to make the most of it right off the bat…
[h=3]1. Unlock the bootloader[/h] One of the coolest things about a Nexus device is that it is completely open and easy to tinker with. If you want to flash ROMs and mess with system files, there’s always a factory image to fall back to should you break something. But you just got it — you don’t need to worry about rooting it right away, but you should think about unlocking the bootloader so you can have some fun later.
By unlocking the bootloader you will be able to flash unsigned software to the internal storage. This is required to swap out the recovery in order to root. The reason you might want to unlock the bootloader proactively is that doing so resets the device to factory settings. It would be a bummer to spend time setting the device up, only to have it wiped when you decide you want to get your hands dirty.
All you need to do is install the Android SDK on your computer and make sure you’ve downloaded the Android device drivers from it. Then plug in the Nexus 7 via a USB cable (with USB debugging enabled) and open a command prompt/terminal from the SDK platform-tools folder. Enter adb reboot bootloader, then wait for the device to boot and enter fastboot oem unlock. Confirm on the screen that you want to unlock, and you’re done.
Unlocking the bootloader introduces a slight security risk if someone gets their hands on your tablet and really, really wants to get access to your internal storage. For most people, that’s not a real concern. There’s very little risk in this operation and you can always relock at any time.
[h=3]2. Secure your tablet[/h] The 2013 Nexus 7 isn’t the most pricey tablet out there, but that doesn’t mean you should be lax in your security practices. Your next order of business should be to set up the security options, starting with a screen lock. Hit the main system settings, then scroll down to Security. In this menu, it’s a good idea to choose a more secure lock screen, and you’ve got plenty of choices.
The old Android standby is the pattern unlock, which is quick and easy to use. If you want more security, there’s the PIN or password lock options. Whatever you choose, you’ll have to enter it each time you wake up the device, so consider putting in a lock delay as well. Doing so will allow you to wake the device up without entering your code for a short time. Under “Automatically Lock” you can pick a timeout period from immediately to 30 minutes.
So your device is locked down so no one but you can access it, but what if you lose it an a good samaritan finds it? If they can’t unlock it, they’ll never be able to get in contact with you to return it. In the Security menu is also an entry for Owner Info that can help with this. With this option, you can include an email address, phone number, or anything else that you want to show up on the lock screen. You could even promise a reward in all caps with exclamation points to encourage honesty.
The last thing you should do to beef up security is make sure Android Device Manager is fully enabled. In the Security menu, check out the Device Administrators and ensure Android Device Manager is selected. This will allow you to use Google’s built-in system for managing a lost device. Without this option checked, the ADM website and app can only be used to locate and ring a lost tablet. With it enabled, ADM can also lock and wipe a device for your protection.
Next page: The apps (and games) you need…
More...
If you found a Nexus 7 under the tree this year, you’re in for a real adventure (don’t worry, we mean that in a good way). Here’s what you should do with that new tablet to make the most of it right off the bat…
[h=3]1. Unlock the bootloader[/h] One of the coolest things about a Nexus device is that it is completely open and easy to tinker with. If you want to flash ROMs and mess with system files, there’s always a factory image to fall back to should you break something. But you just got it — you don’t need to worry about rooting it right away, but you should think about unlocking the bootloader so you can have some fun later.
By unlocking the bootloader you will be able to flash unsigned software to the internal storage. This is required to swap out the recovery in order to root. The reason you might want to unlock the bootloader proactively is that doing so resets the device to factory settings. It would be a bummer to spend time setting the device up, only to have it wiped when you decide you want to get your hands dirty.
All you need to do is install the Android SDK on your computer and make sure you’ve downloaded the Android device drivers from it. Then plug in the Nexus 7 via a USB cable (with USB debugging enabled) and open a command prompt/terminal from the SDK platform-tools folder. Enter adb reboot bootloader, then wait for the device to boot and enter fastboot oem unlock. Confirm on the screen that you want to unlock, and you’re done.
Unlocking the bootloader introduces a slight security risk if someone gets their hands on your tablet and really, really wants to get access to your internal storage. For most people, that’s not a real concern. There’s very little risk in this operation and you can always relock at any time.
[h=3]2. Secure your tablet[/h] The 2013 Nexus 7 isn’t the most pricey tablet out there, but that doesn’t mean you should be lax in your security practices. Your next order of business should be to set up the security options, starting with a screen lock. Hit the main system settings, then scroll down to Security. In this menu, it’s a good idea to choose a more secure lock screen, and you’ve got plenty of choices.
The old Android standby is the pattern unlock, which is quick and easy to use. If you want more security, there’s the PIN or password lock options. Whatever you choose, you’ll have to enter it each time you wake up the device, so consider putting in a lock delay as well. Doing so will allow you to wake the device up without entering your code for a short time. Under “Automatically Lock” you can pick a timeout period from immediately to 30 minutes.
So your device is locked down so no one but you can access it, but what if you lose it an a good samaritan finds it? If they can’t unlock it, they’ll never be able to get in contact with you to return it. In the Security menu is also an entry for Owner Info that can help with this. With this option, you can include an email address, phone number, or anything else that you want to show up on the lock screen. You could even promise a reward in all caps with exclamation points to encourage honesty.
The last thing you should do to beef up security is make sure Android Device Manager is fully enabled. In the Security menu, check out the Device Administrators and ensure Android Device Manager is selected. This will allow you to use Google’s built-in system for managing a lost device. Without this option checked, the ADM website and app can only be used to locate and ring a lost tablet. With it enabled, ADM can also lock and wipe a device for your protection.
Next page: The apps (and games) you need…
More...
