After a long wait, OPPO’s flagship Find 7 and Find 7a smart phones is finally getting a taste of KitKat with their latest ColorOS 2.0 firmware. The update isn’t a final release for consumers so you won’t find this in your typical OTA (Over the Air) software update. OPPO says that it is a stable release and you can download it manually (914MB). Take note that this update will WIPE OUT all data, so it is important to backup all your files as if you’re going to hard reset your phone.
Apart from having the latest software fixes and security updates, the new ColorOS introduces a couple of UI tweaks including new transition effects and live weather backgrounds on the home screen. The Gesture Pad which previously occupies the whole screen is now revised to the bottom for better single handed use, and it is activated by sliding from the bottom upwards. The Task Manager has been redesigned too with a horizontal carousel
Check out the ColorOS 2.0 walk-through video and the full change log after the break.
Refined UI Design
The ColorOS 2.0 has inherited the UI design of ColorOS 1.0, by removing redundant elements from the 1.x icons the new design are more minimalistic and easier to recognize.Global Gaussian Blur Effect
System wide Gaussian blur effect makes the whole system looks more beautiful and consistent in different interfaces, such as the notification center, folders, music now playing interface etc.System Wide Animation
The ColorOS 2.0 is more energetic, with system wide transition animation the whole system comes alive, each operation seems so natural and fluid.Live Weather 2.0
Added a new weather effect “Haze”, given sound effects for some effects and you may found more surprises when using the live weather 2.0.Global Gesture Panel 2.0
The new gesture panel is now activated by slide up from the bottom of the screen. Each gesture you’ve used can be recorded and shown on top as a reminder.Redesigned Task Manager
The new task manager design shows every task running in background as a card you can simply slide it up to close it or slide it down to lock it or tap the end all button to close them all (locked apps will not be closed).Easy Crop for Screenshots
After you’ve taken a screenshot you can pull down the notification center to crop, share or delete it.Single Layer Launcher
The changing from dual layer to single layer launcher is not simple a win/lose situation, both design has it’s own advantage and disadvantage. ColorOS decided to go with single layer design is just another step towards the purse of simplicity and perfection.Super Power Saving
By reducing animation, underclocking the CPU or shutdown all applications except for calls and messages your phone can be under deep power saving mode so as increase the battery life as much as possible.Memory Cleaner
Added “Memory Cleaner” in security center, which enables you to control and release memory more easily.Other Detailed Improvements
- Redesigned the guide interface, now it’s able to auto select the language according to your SIM card
- Changed the default lockscreen to “Slide upward to unlock”, added Call & Messages shortcut in the default lockscreen
- Added the double tap to blurry the wallpaper in Settings ->Gesture & Motion -> Screen-on Gestures
- Added the feature to show network speed in status bar, Settings -> Display -> Show network speed
- Added resolution settings for ultra-HD photos, you can now choose between 50MP and 24MP
- Added continuous play settings in video player, when you disabled it the player will not continue to play the next video in your phone
- Added USB debug options in notification center, when your phone is connected with your computer
- Added the ability to manually adjust the screen brightness when auto-brightness is enabled
- Added file safe in the “Files” app, files added into file safe will not be shown publicly
- Added the ability to sort contact list by Given name/Family name
- Added a quick to top button in Files, Email and Message list interface
- Optimized the cleanup feature in “Files”, added the function to delete large files and duplicated app installation package.
- Redesigned the calendar interface, which is now more elegant
- Removed the “Notes” app and replaced it with Google keep as the default note app
- Optimized the “Backup & restore” app improve the back/restore speed and added the ability to backup homescreen layout, so that your apps & folders will all be backed up
- Integrated all security related tools into “Security Center”, such as App Encryption, Data Saving etc.
- Updated the pre-installed Kingsoft Office app
To download, visit OPPO Forum’s Find 7/7a ColorOS 2.0 thread and refer to their flashing instructions .
Take note that you can’t update back to its previous ColorOS 1.2 directly after flashing to ColorOS 2.0. It is still possible but it requires a tedious process of downgrading the firmware to ColorOS 2.0.3.i Beta (Find 7a) or using a Find 7 recovery tool (Find 7).
