Android M: 10 Features We Love

By Vijaykumar Meti

| Updated: Thursday, June 4, 2015, 11:24 [IST]

Google revealed the next version of Android operating system dubbed as Android M at its annual I/O 2015 conference held at San Francisco.

Google has also release developer preview of the Android M. The new operating system is focused on improving the core experience of the Android. Google has made some fundamental changes along with tons of new features has been added including Android Play, app permission, improved web experience with Chrome and other incremental improvements and several bug fix.

Here are the new features of the latest Android M operating system.

App Permissions

One of the biggest features to the Android platform is selective app permission. As rumored earlier, Google has increased user control of app permission with the release of Android M. This features will let users to pick and choose which permission will an app have during installation.

In addition to that, users can also manage all their app permission in settings. Google has also urged the developers to design their app, that they prompt permission request during installation.

Now on Tap

Google announced a new feature called 'Now on Tap' for Google Now, which basically show contextual information by long pressing on the home button. This feature will offer contextual information based on what you are doing with just a click or by voice command. Yes, the 'Ok Google' voice command will also work from any screen to get contextual information.

For instance, if you and a friend are discussing about a movie, just long press the home button to get Google Now card with all the available information about the movie including, review, rating, links to the trailer, IMDB and showtimes.

Now on Tap will works all the time no mater what you are using on the smartphone. If you are watching a YouTube video of a famous actor, activate the Google Now to get more information about the video or the actor

Web Experience

Google also revealed a new Chrome feature called as Chrome Custom Tabs. This features will change the web experience for Android platform. For example an app can push you out into a Chrome's "Custom Tab," where you can access saved data that you have in Chrome.

Now developers can enable a Google Chrome overlay on top of the active app, instead of embedding a new web view. This overlay or Custom Tab will allow users to use Chrome's power and security along with saved passwords.

Mobile Payments

Google introduced a new payment initiative called Android Pay. This features will now allow users to pay using their Android smartphone in stores using the NFC (Near Field Communication) or in-app that supports payment. The Android Pay will securely store details of credit card and other payment-related data on the smartphone and creates a virtual card similar to the Apple secure tokens. Google has said that the Android Pay will be available on the Google Play to download soon, but has not mentioned the date of release.

Fingerprint Support

Until now selected OEM's have fingerprint scanning technology on their smartphone. But the latest Android M will be supporting the fingerprint feature at the API level, which means developers can now add fingerprint API to their apps.

The native fingerprint support for Android M will enhance the Android Pay for users to confirm the payment with their fingerprint. In addition to that, this feature will allow users to sign-in or authenticate on apps or unlock device without the need of password or pin.

New RAM manager

The new RAM manager will offer more details about the memory usage of the device. This feature can also be viewed in the developer preview version of Android M. The RAM manager will show how much memory recent apps are consuming. The manager also rate the most used app so that users can recognize the most memory consuming app and can get rid of them.

New App Drawer

The Android M comes with redesigned app drawer, featuring a widget picker which will scroll vertically instead of sideways. However, the color and design of the app drawer looks similar to the Android Lollipop.

USB Type-C Support

Google announced that the Android M will support USB Type-C ports just like the new Chromebook Pixel and Apple's Retina MacBook. The Type-C ports are great in trems of reversibility, user can transfer video, audio and power in both directions. However, with the new port, user can charge their device up to five times faster than earlier.

Auto Backup and Restore

Google also brings one of the most useful features for Android M. The auto backup and restore for apps feature will get all apps backed up automatically to Google Drive. Google confirms that the automatic app backup will occur every 24 hours. This feature will allow users to signing into their Google account on new Android device or on a device after a factory reset to recover all their app and app settings.

Power Management

Every year Google come up with new features to its latest Android platform with improvements on battery usage. This year at Google I/O, the company announced a new feature called Doze. It is believed that the Doze will make Android device smart in managing power. The new feature will track via motion detection whether the device is left unattended for a while, than Doze will limit background activity of apps with are consuming battery power.