Google released Android M at the end of May and promised that the M Developer Preview would receive a couple of updates before it becomes stable enough to push it to the general public.
As promised, Google has rolled out the first update to Android M Developer preview. You can get the new system images from developer preview website to install it manually or wait for your Nexus device to be notified for over-the-air update. The new update can only be installed on Nexus devices - Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus Player.
The latest build contains bug fixes and a number of improvements based on developer feedback. It also includes up to date M release platform code, near final APIs to validate your app and Google Play services 7.6.
Other improvements include granular app permissions, custom tabs in
Chrome, improved app linking, Android Pay, fingerprint support, a new
Doze smart power feature, faster charging times, Google Now
improvements, and much more.
Whats new in Android M Developer Preview Update 1
Android Platform Changes:
- Modifications
to platform permissions including external storage, Wi-Fi &
Bluetooth location, and changes to contacts/identity permissions. Device
connections through the USB port are now set to charge-only mode by
default. To access the device, users must explicitly grant permission.
API Changes:
- Updated Bluetooth Stylus APIs with updated callback events.
View.onContextClickListener and GestureDetector.OnContextClickListener
to listen for stylus button presses and to perform secondary actions.
- Updated Media API with new callback InputDevice.hasMicrophone() method for determining if a device microphone exists.
Fixes for developer-reported issues:
- TextInputLayout doesn't set hint for embedded EditText. (fixed issue)
- Camera Permission issue with Legacy Apps (fixed issue)
Google will release the final version of Android M sometime this fall.
Google at its I/O 2015 announced Android M, the next version of Android that is aimed at improving performance and user experience. Google touts that it is most powerful Android release yet. The Android M platform concentrates on six major things - App permission, Web Experience, App Links, Mobile Payments, Fingerprint support and Power & Charging.
App Permissions
Google is allowing Android users to control what Android apps can have access on their devices. Instead of giving permission at the time of installation, users can select permission manually (location, camera, microphone, contacts) when they are needed in the apps. Users can also manage all their app permissions in settings.
Web Experience
Google also revealed a new Chrome feature called Chrome Custom Tabs. The feature lets developers to enable Google Chrome overlay on top of the active tab. They are faster, secure and include features like support for saved passwords, auto-fill and web sign-in.
App Links
This will let users open links withing an app directly, instead of which app you want to use when you click a link. For example, a tweet will always open in Twitter, instead of presenting you with the list of apps that can open it.
Mobile Payments
Google's Android Pay allows users to use NFC and Host Card Emulation.It allows users to pay via their Android phones in stores or even in Android Pay partner apps. Android pay securely stores credit card, loyalty card and other payment related data details on the device. It will work in 700,000 stores in the U.S and U.S operators AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile will per-install Android pay on new devices.
Fingerprint Support
Google is including native support for fingerprint sensors in Android M. Google has added fingerprint APIs for developers to add into their app. The finger print sensor enhances the Android Pay feature that will allow users to authenticate or purchase with their fingerprint. It will also enable users to unlock their devices with fingerprint.
Power & Charging
Google is coming up with a new feature called 'Doze' for improved battery usage. It will use motion detection to limit background activity when the phone is in standby and puts the device in deeper sleep. Google claims that Doze will improve battery life by almost two times. Other power related changes include USB Type C support and using your phone or tablet as a charger for other devices with USB Type-C.
Android M will also bring several other changes such as
- separate drop down volume control option to control indiviaual levels
- Adoptable storage device that will treat external storage devices such as SD cards as internal
- New App drawer - The app drawer along with widget picker will scroll vertically instead of sideways in previous generations
- Google Now on Tap - Smart assistant that aims to make your life easier.
- New backup and restore for apps
- Better text selection
- Better sharing tools
Android M developer Preview can be flashed on a limited number of devices which include Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player. Google will continue pushing monthly update till the stable release in Q3 this year.
Google released the full schedule for Google I/O 2015 which will take place May 28 through May 29 in San Francisco.
While revealing the schedule Google accidentally revealed a small description of Android M in the Android for work session on Day 1. This could mean that Google might announce Android M in the event.
The Android for Work session is scheduled for May 28 between 2:30pm and 3:00pm. The description reads "Android
M is bringing the power of Android to all kinds of workplaces. This
opens huge new markets for hundreds of millions of devices to workers at
small business, deskless workers, logistics and warehousing jobs; all
be empowered by adoption of Android devices at Work,".
Google's Android for Work initiative gives businesses enterprise-level
security to Android platform. The program revolves around four key
components - Work profiles, Android for Work app, Google Play for Work
and a set of productivity tools. Google has partnered with number of
technology and solution providers including Citrix, Adobe, Samsung,
BlackBerry and many more on the initiative.
Coming back to Android M, it made a special appearance for a brief moment and since then Google has taken down the Android for Work session from the schedule. This means that the leak was accidental or Google is toying around with users.
Generally Google uses its "What's New in Android" session to introduce the next Android OS. This years "What's New in Android Session" will highlight new developer features of the Android platform.
