Android Mascots At The Google I/O Developers Conference
Android mascots are lined up in the demonstration area at the Google I/O Developers Conference in the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, May 10, 2011. Reuters/Beck Diefenbach

Sony Mobile has started making the Developer Preview available to several Xperia smartphones and tablets. It includes flashing instructions and all necessary software tools to test the Android M experience.

Sony Xperia Devices With Android M Technical Preview

Sony Mobile has already started developing the new Android M mobile operating system for Xperia smartphones and tablets which expected to be released this year. As of today, Android M Developer Preview has been tested on the following models:

  • Sony Xperia Z3
  • Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
  • Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
  • Sony Xperia Z2
  • Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet
  • Sony Xperia Z1
  • Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
  • Sony Xperia Z Ultra
  • Sony Xperia M3
  • Sony Xperia M2
  • Sony Xperia T2 Ultra
  • Sony Xperia T3
  • Sony Xperia L
  • Sony Xperia S

Sony Mobile Developer World made the Android M Developer Preview available for those who have experience on advanced flashing Android firmware owning one of many from the 14 devices listed above. Sony Mobile also included instructions on how to flash it safely and posted all available software bits needed on the eligible Xperia devices.

Android M Key Features Upcoming To Sony Xperia Smartphones And Tablets

Android M focuses on bringing hundreds of different improvements to the mobile operating system ranging from battery life enhancement and app permissions to Android Pay and Google Now. Below are some of the key features to be delivered by the new OS version later this year:

  1. Permissions will be more controlled by the user and can be modified within the App Settings menu.
  2. Android OS is more intelligent to detected usage of the device in order to save more power. If the device is not in use, Android will reduce background activities to prolong battery life. This feature is called Doze.
  3. A new USB-C also known as Reversible USB Connector will become supported to accelerate charging by up to 400 per cent.
  4. autoVerify for developers can now be added on apps manifest so that users can be linked deep into the native app without any disambiguation prompt.
  5. Google Now can be accessed for assistance via context using Now On Tap feature. For example, when a user received a text message about dinner at a new restaurant, asking Google Now without leaving the app can be performed to find menus, reviews and any relevant information.
  6. Android Pay and Fingerprint features will become built-in features for devices having capable hardware. Near Field Communications and Fingerprint Sensor are used to make payments right on the device.
  7. Updates on Google Play Services having the version 7.5 with new features such as Smart Lock for Passwords, new APIs for Google Cloud Messaging and Google Cast and Google Maps plus additional API on Android wearable devices.

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