Google Android M Teased: 10 features you must know about

| Updated: Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 13:45 [IST]

It is kind of a fun ritual to guess name of the Google's next Android OS iteration name, every year, till the time the company reveals the actual name for it. This year as well, ever since Google announced Android M back in May, the guess game around its name began, along with speculations being made around its features.

From Motichoor, to Marshmallows, to Muffins and more - these are just a few of the several sweet names that have been highly speculated for the Android's M version. However, to give this guess game another angle, two Google employees have posted a teaser video, which features select sweet names, one of which will most likely be the name for the new version of Android OS.

In this promotional video, Googlers Nat and Lo have are asking ‘What's M gonna be?' while hinting possible names of the latest Android version. The interesting bit is that the hinted names also include Mango Lassi, which is a popular Indian dessert that is prepared with mango and curd.

While the list also includes Mocha, Marshmallow, Marzi Pan, Muffin, Malt Ball, Moon Pie, and Macroon among others, the inclusion of Mango Lassi in the video brings a hope that Google might this time named an Android version after an Indian dessert.

Nevertheless, Google is likely to release the Android M sooner, considering that the video mentions ‘about to drop' and ‘almost here.' Moreover, rumors are rife that new Nexus devices are coming out soon, which further hint at Google Android M launch anytime soon.

For those who are concerned about Android M features, here are 10 features that you should now about.

Quick access with Touch ID

When Google announced the Android M back in May, it revealed that the latest version of the OS will brings support for Touch ID. This would mean that you will no longer need password to authorise purchases on Play Store, apart from other functionalities.

Easy Payment options

Android M will brings Google's Android Pay service which will make the process of payments and purchases easier and faster.

Auto Backup

Another major feature that Google outlined during the Android M unveiling was related to app permissions and auto backup. The Android M will essentially be capable of backing up app and related user data automatically on Google Drive, with a file size of up to 25MB or less per app.

Google Photos

It was during the announcement of Android M that Google also introduced the Google Photos service for Android M. Google Photos was earlier a part of Google+, however the company now revamped it as an standalone photo and video storage service that can also be used to share content across devices including laptop, smartphone and tablet. It comes with unlimited free storage for up to 16MP photos and 1080p video.

Better battery life management

As per Google, Android M has been developed to improve the battery life management and charging issues in Android smartphones. It brings Doze feature that will improve device standby time and help the device understand user's activity or inactivity to reduce background power consumption accordingly.

App links

With Google's Android M, app-links can be opened directly from another app or service. So if you want to open a Facebook link from text messages, Android M will not show you the dialogue box which asks you whether you want to open the link directly in Facebook app or in Chrome or via other options.

App permissions

App permissions have been changed and simplified in Android M. Google now gives users greater control on apps by letting them chose on which information should be made available to apps.

Intuitive Web Experience

Browsing and accessing web will be a new experience with Google's Chrome Custom Tabs introduced in the Android M. You will be able to open a customized Chrome window on top of the active app you will be using. It is will be like working on multiple windows simultaneously, like we do on Samsung's Note devices.

New app drawer

Android M features a new app drawer, with a white background, that now scrolls vertically instead of horizontally. Moreover, you will get four most recently used apps on the menu bar on top.

Improved Google Now

Android's M version boasts of an improved Google Now feature that will be more aware of different contexts and will be smarter to answer and giving suggestions to users.