Nexus 7 For Dummies (Google Tablet)

Chapter 1

Behold the Nexus

In This Chapter

Unboxing your Nexus 7

Charging the battery

Locating important things

Setting up and configuring the tablet

Unlocking the screen

Controlling lock time-out

Shutting down the Nexus 7

Storing your tablet

Your tablet adventures with the Nexus 7 begin by opening its box. Sure, you’ve probably already done that. I don’t blame you: I opened the box and played with my Nexus 7 before I read this chapter, too. No problem. To help you relive the experience, or to get yourself oriented if you found the experience daunting — or to simply prepare you for that out-of-the-box experience yet to come — this chapter provides you with a gentle introduction to your new Google tablet, the Nexus 7.

Nexus 7 Setup

Fortunately, setting up your Nexus 7 tablet isn’t complex or time-consuming. It doesn’t bother gathering a goat and waiting for a full moon, nor do you need to hire a man with a long beard and pointy hat. You pretty much have to liberate the tablet, assemble it, charge the battery, and then set up your Google account. That’s it.

Well, yeah, I can write “That’s it,” but obviously the process can be intimidating. This section offers some pointers.

Liberating your tablet

The Nexus 7 works best outside of its box: Lift the device from its container, and merrily remove the plastic sheeting that cocoons the gizmo. Root around inside the box, and locate the following items:

A USB cable: You can use it to connect the Nexus 7 to a computer or a wall charger.

A wall charger: Use this thing to charge the tablet. The USB cable plugs into the wall charger, and then it connects to the Nexus 7, as described in the next section.

Useless pamphlets: Two booklets come with the Nexus 7 — a warranty that you can avoid reading and a Quick Start Guide, which is heavy on the quick and light on the guide.

Golden Ticket: Rumor has it that five of the millions of Nexus 7s out there come with a special Golden Ticket. The winners receive a tour of Google’s secret facilities and a lifetime supply of Wi-Fi.

Keep the box for as long as you own your Nexus 7. If you ever need to return the thing or ship it somewhere, the original box is the ideal container. You can shove the useless pamphlets back into the box as well.

Your Nexus 7 isn’t limited to the paltry assortment of items included in the box. There exists a bounty of additional goodies you can get for your tablet, including earbud-style earphones for listening to music; a headset for making phone calls; a car charger for taking the tablet on the road; numerous handsome carrying cases; and other assorted goodies. You can find these accessories at the Google Play Store on the Internet, at other various online vendors, or wherever you purchased the tablet.

Charging the battery

The first thing that I recommend you do with your Nexus 7 is give it a full charge. Obey these steps:

1. Connect the USB cable to the wall adapter.

The cable plugs in only one way.

2. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the Nexus 7.

The cable attaches to the bottom of the tablet. Again, it plugs in only one way.

3. Plug the wall adapter into the wall.

Upon success, you may see a large battery-charging icon appear on the touchscreen. Yes, it happens even though the Nexus 7 isn’t turned on yet. The battery-charging icon lets you know that the Nexus 7 is functioning properly, though you shouldn’t be alarmed if it fails to appear.

Your Nexus 7 most likely comes partially charged from the factory, though I still recommend giving it an initial charge, just in case, as well as to familiarize yourself with the process.

The USB cable is used for charging the Nexus 7 and for connecting it to a computer to share information or exchange files. (Read more about exchanging files in Chapter 14.)

You can also charge the Nexus 7 by connecting it to a computer’s USB port. As long as the computer is on, the tablet charges. Even so:

The battery charges more efficiently if you plug it into a wall rather than charge it from a computer’s USB port.

The Nexus 7 doesn’t feature a removable battery.

Setting up your Nexus 7

The final act of getting your new tablet ready for use is to tell it a bit about yourself. Specifically, you need to coordinate your Google account with the tablet. Doing so gives you mobile access to your Gmail, Calendar, YouTube, and other, myriad Google accounts. Further, you need to set up some other tablet features, such as your language, the Wi-Fi networking connection, and location services.

If initial setup was already done for you by the friendly salespeople where you bought your Nexus 7, you’re good to go. Skip on over to the next section. Otherwise, the account setup adventure begins by turning on the Nexus 7 for the first time. Heed these directions:

1. Press the Power Lock button.

You may have to press it longer than you think. When you see the text Google appear on the screen, the Nexus 7 has started. (You can release the button.)

2. Unlock the Nexus by dragging the Unlock button out toward the unlocking ring, as shown in Figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1: Unlock the Nexus 7.

To drag the button, touch it with your finger. Keep your finger on the touchscreen and drag down, left, or right, as illustrated in Figure 1-1. The unlocking ring doesn’t appear until you move the Unlock button. Lift your finger when the Unlock button changes, as shown in the figure.

Normally when you unlock the Nexus 7, you can start doing things. (That discussion comes later.) Because you’re starting the tablet for the first time, you have to run through the setup process. The first thing to do is to tell the Nexus 7 which language to use.

3. Optionally, choose your language.

On my tablet’s screen, it says English (United States). If you need to change the language, touch the Menu triangle (shown in the margin, and found in the lower-right corner of the Language button) to choose another language.

4. Touch the Big Triangle button to proceed.

The triangle button is shown in the margin.

The next step is to set up the Wi-Fi connection.

5. Choose a Wi-Fi network.

Assuming that a Wi-Fi network is in range, select it on the screen. Or when you see multiple Wi-Fi networks available, pick the one you use most often. On my screen, I chose the Imperial Wambooli network, my local wireless network.

When the Wi-Fi network name doesn’t show up, touch the Plus (+) button at the bottom of the screen, next to the text Other Network. Also see Chapter 13 for information on connecting to Wi-Fi networks. You can always add more Wi-Fi networks later, so skipping this step is okay.

6. Type the password using the keyboard that appears on the screen.

Chapter 3 covers using the onscreen keyboard.

7. Touch the Connect button.

Watch in amazement as the tablet connects to the wireless network.

The next step is to configure your Google account, associating it with the Nexus 7. If you don’t yet have a Google account, get one! See the “Get yourself a Google account!” sidebar, later in this chapter.

8. If necessary, obey the directions on the screen to sign in to your Google account; fill in the information as prompted.

This step may not be necessary, if you already have a Google account and use Google for your mobile devices. In this case, Google may instantly recognize you (which is pretty amazing) and identify your Google account. If so, type your Gmail password, and then touch the big triangle to log in to your Gmail account.

9. At the Backup and Restore Screen, ensure that both options are selected, and then touch the Big Triangle button to continue.

Information from your Google account is then synchronized with the Nexus 7, including contacts, calendars, YouTube information, bookmarks from the Chrome browser, and a host of other goodies.

The next, and final, step is to specify which location services the tablet uses.

10. Ensure that all check boxes for the location services are selected.

The location services help the Nexus 7 locate wherever you are on Planet Earth. They’re used for navigating, finding locations, checking out people near you, and engaging in other fun activities. I highly recommend that you activate the location services.

11. Touch the Big Triangle to continue.

Setup is complete.

12. Touch the Big Triangle to start using your Nexus 7.

Get yourself a Google account!

If you don’t already have a Google account, run — don’t walk or mince — to a computer and create your own, free Google account: Use the computer’s web browser program to visit the main Google page, www.google.com. On that page, click the Sign In button or link. If you don’t see Sign In, you already have a...