During Google's I/O event at Moscone Center, San Francisco, Dave Burke mentioned 6 key areas that Android M is focusing to improve once released around Q3 2015, with the intention to enhance "core user experience of Android."
He also shared that the company is making a "conscious decision to focus on quality end-to-end" as well as "product excellent."
Focus No. 1: App Permissions
One of the areas Android M would be focusing on is about "App Permissions." Google wants users to have the option to not agree on permissions that don't "make sense" to them. They simplified the areas on app permissions by dividing it into six categories: location, camera, microphone, contacts, phone, SMS, calendar, and sensors.
With Android M, apps will have to ask permissions on these categories, such as WhatsApp asking approval in using the device's microphone. Further, users can modify the permission and choose to change or revoke it.
Under the improved app permission, updates would also become more seamless because "user involvement is deferred until right when it's needed."
Focus No. 2: Web Experience
The second focus is on "Web Experience." Android M will bring in Chrome Custom Tabs that will allow developers to "harness all Chrome's capabilities while still keeping control of the look and feel of the experience." By Chrome Custom Tabs, device owners can get all Chrome's features such as signing in to favorite sites, saving passwords, autofill, Google Translate, multiprocess security, and more.
Focus No. 3: App Links
The third focus is on "App Links." M will enhance Android's system to give "more powerful app linking capability." Further, applications will be able to deliver "auto-verify attribute to their application manifest to indicate that they want the links they claim they support to be verified by the platform." This will enable Android to verify that the app owns the links which it claims. Supposing that a link is coming from Twitter, Android M would smoothly open the page.
Focus No. 4: Mobile Payments
The fourth focus is on "Mobile Payments." M will have Android Pay that allows users to "simply and safely use their Android phone to pay in stores" as long as an Android Pay logo is seen or other partners. Android Pay also focuses on simplicity, security, and choice.
Focus No. 5: Fingerprint Support
The fifth focus is on "Fingerprint Support." There is going to be a standard fingerprint API in Android M that covers support for various Android phones with fingerprint sensors. Further, M will enable fingerprints to unlock devices, make purchases in Google Play Store, and open authentication APIs.
Focus No. 6: Power and Charging
The sixth focus is on "Power & Charging." Android M will include a new feature called "Doze." By using significant motion detection for devices left unattended for a long time, "Doze" will put background apps as well as the smartphone into a deep sleep; thus, resulting to 2x longer battery life on standby. The device is also capable of triggering real time alarms or respond to incoming priority chat requests even in deep sleep.
There will also be a USB Type C support in M that would enable fast charging, which is likely to be inclded in the upcoming 2015 LG and Huawei Google Nexus devices.
Word auto selection, direct share, and simplified volume controls are also going to be in the Android M.
These are all set to be experienced in Google's upcoming LG and Huawei Nexus devices speculated to be released around October-November this year.
Android M developer preview is currently available, with the final release on Q3 2015.
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