Android M OS: 11 Features To Improve Nexus, Motorola, Samsung Galaxy, Sony Xperia, HTC One And LG Devices

At least 11 new features are expected to be offered by Android M which will be released later this year. It improves the Google Play Services, Google Now, power management, Fingerprint Sensor, Task Manager and more.

Native Support For Tap-To-Wake

Selected Android devices such as from HTC and LG are capable of tap-to-wake functionality wherein users can simply tap the screen to wake up the display. In Android M, a new Boolean value “double_tap_to_wake” has been spotted by ArsTechnica allowing the said feature to become native. However, it requires the side-by-side compatibility of software and hardware in order to work which means not all devices upgradable Android M can support it.

Improvements On App Backup Via Google Play Services

Google Play allows backup of apps and reinstallation in case a user have performed a factory reset. However, the current method of app backup and restoration can be strenuous if a user moves from one device to another such as by using custom ROMs. Android M will use Backup Transport Service for Google Play Services to backup and restore apps more effectively but these apps must be built under Android M SDK.

Calculator App Will Become Independent

Calculator app seems likely to become independent on Android M since it is a part of AOSP or Android Open Source Project. It will be available on the Play Store as a standalone application treated as any other Google apps which can be downloaded by any Android user. For Android M, the Calculator app offers several new features such as copy and paste, support and options on how to answer and calculate.

Improved Fingerprint Sensor

Current version of the fingerprint API on Android Lollipop AOSP is terrible which requires swiping of the finger across the sensor similar to the sensors attached on laptops. On Android M, the fingerprint sensor will only require a single touch with a vibrating reply telling the user that the fingerprint has been recognised.

Native Support For Dismissing Apps Quickly

Not all Android devices have the “Dismiss Apps” under the multitasking features such as Recent Apps. Usually, manufacturers add this feature such as from Samsung Galaxy S4 by simply pressing the Task Killer. Sony Xperia SP does not have this feature and users will need to manually swipe left or right to kill recent apps one by one. Google could add this feature as native on Android M.

Android Play Replaces Google Wallet

Android M will make the Android Pay feature native instead of requiring users to download it from the Play Store. It works similarly to Google Wallet which can be used to over 700,000 stores in the United States supporting different credit cards, Visa and MasterCard.

Revamped Application Drawer

Google Launcher on Android M now features alphabetical listing on the App Drawer when being scrolled vertically. In addition, four recently downloaded apps will now be pinned to the top part of the App Drawer for easier access. Revamped App Drawer also includes the Google Search bar.

More Flexible Volume Controls

No need to access the Settings menu just to adjust all types of volume on Android M. Simply press the volume rockers and adjust the notification, alarm and multimedia volumes according to desire right on the display screen.

Processor Sleep Mode

Project Volta is an improvement to Android Lollipop but Android M offers an additional feature to save more power by “dozing off” the processor. If an Android M device is idle for long periods, the OS will automatically shut down processors and prevent any activity to save more power. Android M will periodically scan for new messages and updates even keep the alarm going but stops unnecessary radios such as Wi-Fi to prevent battery drain.

Get Contextual Information

Users can get more information from various activities using Google Now by using Now On Tap. It enables the user to inquire online about a webpage, music track or text messages by asking Google Now. As an example provided by Paste Magazine, a user can ask Google Now on how the old the singer now.

Permissions And Uninstallation

Set Permission on apps or functions even after downloading them from the Play Store. Users can set the Permission for Location, Camera, Phone, SMS, Microphone and more in addition to applications. Also, uninstallation of apps will become easier by simply doing it right on the home screen by long pressing on an app to delete the shortcut or uninstall it without going to the Settings menu.

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