- Aug 31, 2014
- 182
Google today officially announced its next version of android operating system called Android M. The developer preview is already out and the final version is expected to hit in Q3. There are more than hundred new features in Android M , We are going to tell you top 10 features that really matters.
Permissions
This feature aimed at improving security in the Android. For now when a user installs an app, it shows a list of permissions it needs. On most occasions a user just says yes to it and that is it. But with the Android M when you install an app it won’t ask for any permission. Instead, it will ask for permission when you run the app and when the app requires access to certain hardware component, such as GPS or camera. Once approved, the app will have access to that hardware component. But you will still have the option of going into settings and revoke that particular permission. This is similar to how permissions are managed in the iOS though in the case with Android you can expect more flexibility and finer control.
Doze
It is made to improve the battery life of phones running Android M in a big big way. One of the reasons why battery life in Android phones is not so great because apps use hardware even when they are in the background or the phone is in standby mode. With the Doze feature in Android M, Google would put the apps in sleep mode/hibernate mode if the phone is not being used. For example when you are sleeping, the browser in your phone will also go into the sleep mode and won’t consume hardware resources.It will improves the standby battery life by 2 to 3 times.
For Doze feature, Google will use the sensors that are already there in the phones. It will be able to measure if the phone has been kept idle or a user is using it and depending on the situation would force apps to either stay awake or doze off.
App links
With the Android M, Google is making this feature even better. When apps use the backend features provided in the Android M, users will be able to open links directly into apps. For example, you come across a tweet that has a Facebook link. Currently, when you open this link you will get option to open it in browser or Facebook app. But with Android M, the link will be directly opened in the Facebook app.
Chrome inside apps
This is also a part of Google’s bid to improve content sharing between apps. Nowadays, many apps use in-app browser to display links. But with Android, if these apps want, they will be able to incorporate Chrome engine within the app. This means, when a user clicks on a web link, it will open in a tab that has all the feature and functionality of Chrome browser.
Auto backup for apps
Currently, app developers can enable backup feature in their Android apps. But with the Android M, the back-up feature will be automatic. This means if users decide to enable backup feature, it will be easier for them to restore the data. Though this backup feature for apps is going to be enabled by default, if app developers want they would be able to turn it off for their specific app.
Support for fingerprint scanner
Phones like the Galaxy S6 already have fingerprint scanners but with Android M, Google is adding support for this extra feature in the operating system, This means most manufacturers using Android won’t have to spend their own resources on developing software for fingerprint scanner. What it means to users? Expect more phones with fingerprint scanner.
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Permissions
This feature aimed at improving security in the Android. For now when a user installs an app, it shows a list of permissions it needs. On most occasions a user just says yes to it and that is it. But with the Android M when you install an app it won’t ask for any permission. Instead, it will ask for permission when you run the app and when the app requires access to certain hardware component, such as GPS or camera. Once approved, the app will have access to that hardware component. But you will still have the option of going into settings and revoke that particular permission. This is similar to how permissions are managed in the iOS though in the case with Android you can expect more flexibility and finer control.
Doze
It is made to improve the battery life of phones running Android M in a big big way. One of the reasons why battery life in Android phones is not so great because apps use hardware even when they are in the background or the phone is in standby mode. With the Doze feature in Android M, Google would put the apps in sleep mode/hibernate mode if the phone is not being used. For example when you are sleeping, the browser in your phone will also go into the sleep mode and won’t consume hardware resources.It will improves the standby battery life by 2 to 3 times.
For Doze feature, Google will use the sensors that are already there in the phones. It will be able to measure if the phone has been kept idle or a user is using it and depending on the situation would force apps to either stay awake or doze off.
App links
With the Android M, Google is making this feature even better. When apps use the backend features provided in the Android M, users will be able to open links directly into apps. For example, you come across a tweet that has a Facebook link. Currently, when you open this link you will get option to open it in browser or Facebook app. But with Android M, the link will be directly opened in the Facebook app.
Chrome inside apps
This is also a part of Google’s bid to improve content sharing between apps. Nowadays, many apps use in-app browser to display links. But with Android, if these apps want, they will be able to incorporate Chrome engine within the app. This means, when a user clicks on a web link, it will open in a tab that has all the feature and functionality of Chrome browser.
Auto backup for apps
Currently, app developers can enable backup feature in their Android apps. But with the Android M, the back-up feature will be automatic. This means if users decide to enable backup feature, it will be easier for them to restore the data. Though this backup feature for apps is going to be enabled by default, if app developers want they would be able to turn it off for their specific app.
Support for fingerprint scanner
Phones like the Galaxy S6 already have fingerprint scanners but with Android M, Google is adding support for this extra feature in the operating system, This means most manufacturers using Android won’t have to spend their own resources on developing software for fingerprint scanner. What it means to users? Expect more phones with fingerprint scanner.
Read More
