Android M is the upcoming version of Google's Android operating system. The Mountain View company has already released the Android M Developer Preview at the Google I/O 2015 similar to the way Android Lollipop was revealed in the last year's I/O Developers' Conference. Google has stressed on the fact that this time they are improving on the fundamentals and looking to enhance the core experience of Android. Nevertheless there are some really cool features in Android M update that you would surely fall in love with.
App Permissions
App permissions have been overhauled in Android M, with users now being able to choose to accept or deny individual permissions as they see fit. Permissions will now be requested the first time you try to use a feature and not at the point of installation.
Now on Tap
Google Now gets a major revamp with the Now on Tap feature in Android M. It works within any app and automatically searches the context present on the screen by just long pressing the home button. The Now on Tap search is different from conventional search as it shows cards with data and action relevant to the context in the app.
Chrome Custom Tabs
Chrome Custom Tabs will enable apps to open a customized Chrome window on top of the active app, rather than launching the Chrome browser separately. The aim of this feature is to provide a faster and more intuitive user experience while navigating between apps and the web.
With Android M, users will get all their apps backed up automatically to Google Drive - especially useful feature for users who often migrate between devices or format their smartphones. The automatic backups will occur every 24 hours and will not count towards the user's personal Drive storage share.
App Drawer
The redesigned App Drawer scrolls vertically instead of horizontally and is held against a white background. Across the top of the drawer, four of the most recently used apps are shown and down the left-hand side are the letters of the alphabets. Also there's a search bar on top of the drawer that enables users to quickly find the app they want.
Adoptable Storage
Android M can adopt external storage devices like microSD cards as internal storage. This will mean free moving of apps between native and external storage. Of course, this was a feature that was long awaited and finally Google has included it in the Android M Developer Preview.
Themes
Android Lollipop was a total whitewash with everything from menus to settings turned white in color. But if you feel that it hurts on the eyes to have a white background to everything, then here's Android M to the rescue. Users can now switch themes from light to dark or choose automatic which uses a white background during the day and adopt a dark background in the evenings.
RAM Manager
Google has introduced a new RAM manager in Android M with the objective of providing users with more accurate and reliable information regarding the maximum and average RAM usage of apps. This will let users identify battery-draining apps so that they can uninstall them in order to maximize battery performance.
Uninstall Apps from Home
Android M provides an option to users to uninstall apps directly from the home screen. Long pressing apps on Android M home screens now gives the option to either remove the shortcut or uninstall the app completely.
App Permissions
App permissions have been overhauled in Android M, with users now being able to choose to accept or deny individual permissions as they see fit. Permissions will now be requested the first time you try to use a feature and not at the point of installation.
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| Simplified Runtime App permissions in Android M |
Google Now gets a major revamp with the Now on Tap feature in Android M. It works within any app and automatically searches the context present on the screen by just long pressing the home button. The Now on Tap search is different from conventional search as it shows cards with data and action relevant to the context in the app.
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| Now on Tap works within any app |
App Links
App links are being changed in Android M so that your smart phone has a greater awareness of which apps can open content directly, instead of stopping users every time with the dialog box. Suppose, you tap a Twitter link in an email, then the Twitter app will open automatically instead of asking if you want to use Twitter app to view it.
Android Pay
Android Pay is a new mobile payments system designed to make checkout process faster and easier. Google is aiming to provide simplicity, security and choice with Android Pay, enabling users to pay via their Android smartphones in stores or even in Android Pay partner apps.
Chrome Custom Tabs
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| Chrome Custom Tabs open a customized window on top of the active app |
Battery Life and Charging
Android M makes use of a new feature known as Doze to improve device standby time. By using motion detectors, Android will recognize when devices haven’t been interacted with for a while, such as when a person is asleep or a device has been left aside on a table, to reduce background processes. Android M will also provide support for USB Type-C which allows faster charging and lets users charge other devices with their phone.
Auto Backup and Restore for Apps
App Drawer
The redesigned App Drawer scrolls vertically instead of horizontally and is held against a white background. Across the top of the drawer, four of the most recently used apps are shown and down the left-hand side are the letters of the alphabets. Also there's a search bar on top of the drawer that enables users to quickly find the app they want.
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| Redesigned, searchable app drawer |
Android M can adopt external storage devices like microSD cards as internal storage. This will mean free moving of apps between native and external storage. Of course, this was a feature that was long awaited and finally Google has included it in the Android M Developer Preview.
Themes
Android Lollipop was a total whitewash with everything from menus to settings turned white in color. But if you feel that it hurts on the eyes to have a white background to everything, then here's Android M to the rescue. Users can now switch themes from light to dark or choose automatic which uses a white background during the day and adopt a dark background in the evenings.
RAM Manager
Google has introduced a new RAM manager in Android M with the objective of providing users with more accurate and reliable information regarding the maximum and average RAM usage of apps. This will let users identify battery-draining apps so that they can uninstall them in order to maximize battery performance.
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| Android M's new RAM Manager shows the performance of your device |
Android M provides an option to users to uninstall apps directly from the home screen. Long pressing apps on Android M home screens now gives the option to either remove the shortcut or uninstall the app completely.
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