 Android M will see Google introduce a host of new features and upgrades, with the emphasis on improved battery life and streamlined permissions for apps, with Google looking to give users greater control of app permissions.
Under changes to be introduced, apps can trigger requests for permissions at runtime, in the right context, with users choosing whether to grant the permission, allowing users to decide what information on their smartphone apps can use. A new feature, Doze, is designed for smarter power management, preserving battery life, employing motion detection to learn if a device has been left unattended for a while, at which point Android will exponentially back off background activity. Google describes Doze as “trading off a little bit of app freshness for longer battery life”. Google will also upgrade its Google Now smart assistant as part of the Android M release, stating it will assist users with whatever they’re doing, in the moment and anywhere on their smartphone. “Now on tap” will allow users to tap and hold the home button for assistance, without leaving what they’re doing, whether they’re in an app or on a website, providing for a greater level of smartphone multi-tasking. Meanwhile, Google is staking out territory in the growing mobile payments market, and is set to take on the likes of Apple with its Android Pay payments service. As with Apple Pay, Android Pay will allow users to make tap payments in-store with their smartphone, employing NFC technology. Android M’s native fingerprint support will allow users to confirm a purchase with their fingerprint, while the fingerprint tech can additionally be used to unlock devices and make purchases via Google Play. Google states Android Pay, which will be available on Google Play for download soon, will soon be accepted at over 700,000 store locations across the US and in over 1,000 Android apps. |
