android m pre-release briefing

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Android 6.0Marshmallow pre-release briefing

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Less about showstopping features (with the exception of Now on Tap), and more about smart improvements, at the heart of the next Android software release - Android M (Marshmallow) - is an overriding drive to improve the user experience.

Google is using this latest release to solve some of the most pressing - and annoying - issues with the operating system.

Ultimately, this means that when the final release goes live, it should bring about one of the most polished versions of Android to date - if not the most exciting.


Improving the user experience with Android MPower to the people


With Now on Tap, we see Google really capitalising on their expertise with machine learning. While we aren’t talking Skynet here, nevertheless it can be either a magical or slightly scary experience (depending on your point of view) when you see Now on Tap provide you with its predictive suggestions based on what you will do next.

Simply tap and hold the Home button inside any Android app, and up will pop the familiar Now cards at the bottom of your screen. The outcome is intelligent, contextual information at the touch of a button - and the results are outstanding.

Google Now used to only gather information from Gmail services. However, the Now API has since been opened up to parse data from over 100 other apps as it searches for the best actionable connections. For instance, if a friend messages an invite to you for a film they want to see, Now on Tap will provide local cinema listings, trailers and reviews from sites like IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes on demand - with a single tap.

Now on Tap


It’s been a long time coming, but with Android M Google have significantly revised app permissions - increasing privacy and security in the process by giving users more granular control over what apps can access on their devices.

Let’s say you install an app from the Play Store. Currently, in order to use it, you must agree to all permissions at the point of installation - whether you actually agree with them or not, or even fully understand what you are granting access to. Take Instagram, for example. At the moment, when you download the app, Instagram will ask for your permission to access your profile, contacts, media files, your camera and even your microphone and location.

In Android M, you will only be prompted to grant permission when it is actually required - at the point of use, and while you are in-app. Marshmallow will also remember your preference. So rather than grant permission for everything up front, instead you will be able to control much more carefully just what Instagram can use. That’s great news if you never shoot video, for example, and have no need for Instagram to access your microphone.

You will also be able to control permissions from within the revamped device permissions centre. You can control these either app by app, or by each given permission - so, you can see all apps that have access to your microphone and turn them off if you want.

App permissions


Another feature that might seem a small detail, but which should have a big impact on the user experience, is the subtle adjustment to how Android handles web links in Marshmallow.

Take a look at the screen to the left. Look familiar? Currently, if you click a link, Android will ask you which app (that is capable of opening it) you wish to use. Over time, it can become a real bug bear.

In Android M, that irritation will be removed. Assuming you have the official app installed, you will no longer see the dialogue box - which means no more opening a link to Twitter in Chrome. Instead, you will just go directly from the link to the official Twitter app. This is because developers will be able to write a small piece of code that specifically associates an app to a URL they own.

This is a much more intuitive approach, and is again one that users will be happy to see implemented. The new app linking will help create a more seamless experience by taking users to the most relevant app without the need to prompt them and interrupt the journey.

One downside is that it won’t see the end of the dreaded ‘complete action using’ dialogue box entirely, though: apps have to explicitly opt-in to app linking. However, it should at least drastically lower the amount of times it gets in our faces.

App links


Android M will see Google go full steam ahead with their updated mobile payments system. It’s been a challenging journey, with lots of hard lessons learned after Wallet and with considerable ground already lost to Apple Pay.

While Google Wallet was originally released in 2011, widespread consumer adoption was lacking - as was the infrastructure for a mobile payments system. In the succeeding years, however, both the technology and consumer confidence has shot up - something that is clear in the Apple Pay adoption figures alone.

Google’s aim is to make Android Pay the most convenient available but strictly speaking, Android Pay isn’t a Marshmallow feature. It has already been launched in the US and is compatible with NFC devices running Android KitKat and above. However, there is no doubt that this release will bring key improvements to the service.

This includes fingerprint technology, so you won’t even need to open an app - just touch to unlock your device and pay. Another feature of Android Pay will also automatically link up any app loyalty cards found on a device, so there is no need to fumble between apps to get your just rewards.

While Android Pay is currently available in the US, there is no UK release date as yet - so watch this space.

Android Pay


Android M makes room for fingerprint sensor functionality for the first time and demonstrates a drive by Google to standardise it across the whole platform.

A double move by Google: not only will Android Pay support fingerprint sensor functionality, but the two new Nexus devices coming out later this year will also come preloaded with Android Marshmallow, Android Pay and fingerprint scanners.

While some devices already have this feature built in, there has never been native support for it via the operating system before. This made using the technology difficult and cumbersome to use - Android M aims to rectify that.

Fingerprint scanners


Improving battery life in Android MPower efficiencies


Google aim to make a number of power saving - and time saving - changes with Android M. These will reduce your need to physically shut down apps, and drastically improve your device’s battery life.

You know how the story goes. Your battery is running on empty way too early in the day and honestly, its a mystery as to why. Upon some investigation, you realise that almost every single app on your phone is open - even those that you don’t use very often.

While this is a common problem, there hasn’t really been a solution - until now. Android M sends ‘idle’ apps into a kind of standby mode. An app is deemed idle when the user hasn’t interacted with it for a certain period of time.

Providing the device is unplugged, the system will disable network access and suspend synchronisation, saving you valuable battery life. It also has the added bonus of eliminating the need to kill all open apps or manually shut them down one by one (which we always forget to do).

App standby mode


Doze is another attempt to maximise your device’s battery life. It will save battery when you aren’t using it, while still allowing you access your device when you need to.

Alas, no smartphone battery is impervious to being drained in the background. Google has attempted to at least minimise this pain via Doze in Android M. They claim their internal tests have seen battery life increase by double on standby mode when compared to Lollipop.

While the app standby mode closes individual apps that haven’t been used in a while, Doze will send your device into an even deeper slumber and close down background functions like email fetching. Using your device’s motion detection sensors, Doze will take effect when the device is unplugged, stationary and the screen is off for a set period of time. Once it meets these criteria, it effectively shuts down all background applications that aren’t high priority. It will resume normal activity for brief periods of time, so as to allow the system a chance to perform app syncing and any pending operations as necessary.

Essentials like your alarm aren’t affected, though - so no excuses about your smartphone failing to wake you up in the morning.

Doze


Key dates


Android 6.0 dates

Expected Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) release: 29/09/2015

Rumoured Nexus 2015 pre-order availability: 13/10/2015


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android m pre-release briefing

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