Google released three sample apps to demonstrate Android Marshmallow's new, unique features: Direct Share, MIDISynth, and MIDIScope. The three apps are intended to help developers create and fine-tune their applications for optimum performance in the upcoming Android OS.
Android Developers Blog noted that the sample apps can be found on Google Samples storage on Github. The three apps launched by Google focused on Android M's sharing capabilities and music features.
First is the Direct Share sample. The app demonstrates how Direct Share can be used on applications to make native sharing content faster and easier. Using Direct Share, users can share content to specific targets within other apps.
Developer Advocate Rich Hyndman explained the sample app in his own words: "This sample is a dummy messaging app, and just like any other messaging apps, it receives intents for sharing a plain text. It demonstrates how to show some options directly in the list of share intent candidates."
Additionally, he says, "When a user shares some text from another app, this sample app will be listed as an option. Using the Direct Share feature, this app also shows some of contacts directly in the chooser dialog."
The other two sample apps are interesting for music-loving Android users. The MIDISynth sample app shows how MIDI API (android.medi.midi) can be utilized to receive and play MIDI messages from a connected input device like a MIDI keyboard. The MIDI API is capable of identifying and listing available devices, receive and process MIDI messages, sending notifications when MIDI device is attached or not, and note playback.
On the other hand, the MIDIScope is basically similar with the MIDISynth. The difference between the two dummy apps is that the MIDIScope can only receive and display MIDI signals. It does not play any sound. Both sample apps can be seen as Google's attempts to place Android in the professional music field.
Tech Times reported that the dummy apps are meant to show how Android M features work. They are intended as templates for developers, not to be used by consumers in general.
Android M is expected to be released on Google's September 29 event, along with the LG Nexus and Huawei Nexus phones as reported by PC Advisor. Android M is expected to come with more features like the Android Pay, contextual selection support, Doze, and app permissions.
The Android M Developer Preview is currently available for download to Nexus owners. Its final version is expected to come to Nexus devices first then trickle down to other flagship devices.
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