New Innovative Features of the Android M Software

Currently, Android may be dubbed as the king of operating systems having the largest installed base among the many operating systems out there. Furthermore, the Google Play store has had over a million android applications available and more than a whopping 50 billion applications downloaded worldwide.

The android system is also fondly beloved by tech companies due to the ready-made, low-cost and customizable operating systems that are applicable for advanced devices. Android’s open nature also grants a large community of developers and enthusiasts to use Android’s open-source code for large scale driven projects.

So with its immense popularity and to stay competitive in the industry, Android is releasing its latest software update, the Android M, this coming fall.

Google’s Senior VP Sundar Pichai was quoted saying that Android M will be focusing “on polish and quality” for its newest release.

And indeed there will be significant changes and additions to the latest Android software based on the most recent Google I/O 2015.

One of the biggest features that Google released in the Now on Tap search function for Android M. Basically Android users can now perform Google searches inside apps easily. For example, when chatting with a friend on what’s app, both of you are discussing on a place to dine in near your location. All you have to do is to hold down the home button and Android will comprehend what’s currently on your phone’s screen and run a Google Now Search against it. The search engine will then display suggestions and recommendations of food eateries that are close to where you are situated. The Now search display results in a card format that shows structured data and actions.

Also, there is a voice activated function for you to use when running your searches on the app itself. Presenting “OK Google” where all you have to do is just say “OK Google” on that particular topic or subject on your screen and a search engine will be activated at your command.

Of course, if you are afraid that Google is able to read through your personal data and private messages through your app, the Now on Tap function and Ok Google function is an entirely opt in feature. This means, you can be assured that none of your secretive stuff gets read by Google if you choose not to activate the function.

Android users should be smiling as you are going to get longer battery life with the “doze” feature of the Android M.

This ingenious feature allows your smartphone to use motion detector sensors to recognize if it has been left untouched for a prolonged period of time. If the phone is indeed untouched, the device will enter into hibernation mode where the non active apps will be switched off, causing the phone to conserve battery life. Important messages and alarm sounds will still go off though!

Another point worth mentioning will be that along with the Android M release, you will get the chance to see Android phones using the very impressive USB-C connector which is designed for faster performance and greater connectivity.

Also, the model comes with a dashboard tool that allow users to scan through the list of apps and see which app is applicable to them and which aren’t. Hence, the new permission model will certainly allow updates on your apps to run smoothly and easily.

An improvement to Android’s billing system is with Fingerprint Authentication. Yes, Android finally evens the payment feature with Apple’s IOS. Introducing Android Pay, an open-platform API that allow customers to pay through their credit cards within an app. All you have to do is to unlock your phone, place it on the data slurping terminal and you have made your payment. Your fingerprint will then be used to secure the payment. Also, a simulated account number will be created, and your actual credit card number will not be shared in the app store.

As of now, Android Pay is collaborating with fast-food chains such as McDonalds and Macy’s, credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard and telecommunication companies like AT&T and T-Mobile. Not surprisingly, it may soon be a norm among modern society to make payments through a phone.

Not to forget our developers, Android M is believed to make it simpler for developers to connect between Android Apps.

With the latest update, there will be greater support for intents as our fellow developers can now set the “autoVerify” function in their app manifest which will allow users to be connected straight to their native app by just receiving a prompt.

Google is now allowing users to customize the quick settings to their preference. All you have to do is proceed into the developer’s options, switch the “Show SystemUI Tuner” function and head back to main setting list. After which, your new system UI tuner icon is at the bottom, so simply tap that and your settings may be customized to your liking.

On front end, Google has released the “Chrome Custom Tabs”. Which means when tabbing on a web link in a native app, the web link will open up in a custom tab that will be detected to be native to the app.

For those who want to indulge themselves into the new features of this release, you are recommended to install the latest update of Android Studio (1.3) from the Canary release channel. This updated version supports the Android M software, but it also has additional features like code editing and debugging for C and C++ code.

Other updates and improvements to Android M include a new sharing feature that emphasizes the people and apps you share with regularly, clearer methods for volume controls that easily allow you to control music and a consolidated settings menu.

Well, we have reached the end of the post review on the newest Android M, but we still have 2 very important questions have yet to be addressed throughout this blog post. What does M in android M stand for? (The last 3 were called Android Lollipop, Android Kit Kat and Android Jelly Bean) And, when is the actual date of its release???

Only time will tell.