Google’s Android M during the Google I / O revealed and reported that the new Android version mainly solves a lot of bugs. Android Planet install the Developer Preview and look at what’s changed.
The Developer Preview will be released by Google, so developers and Android enthusiasts can already start with the new Android version. We install the Developer Preview via fastboot and perform a clean installation.
The next time the developer version is updated with over-the-air updates until Android M in the third quarter of this year will be officially released . It is the first time that Google ota updates for the Developer Preview is available, making it easier for many curious Android users to stay up to date.
First impression and performance
The first thing you notice is that Google is a new wallpaper and font used for Android M. Also, the phone icon at the bottom left of the lock screen replacement by an icon of a microphone, which will open soon Google Now. The smart assistant Google is still to be found to the left of the home screen. The home screen has not changed much, except that it is now possible to remove apps from the home screen directly from your mobile device. You do not have this first go to the app drawer.
The app drawer is also renewed and scroll vertically. At the top you find your recently used apps and if you look closely you can see a search icon. When you tap it, you will see a search box where you can search for an app. This is useful if you have installed many apps. By displaying the green characters to the left of the icons the app drawer looks a bit messy, but the future can still be changed by Google. It often happens that many users had during the Developer Preview on a critical component, and Google has adapted it for the official release.
Android M running quickly and smoothly and has some new animations. When you open an app it is from the app icon expanded to full screen – as in KitKat – but with a Material Design-like animation. It is flowing, but looks a bit tighter and faster than before. Pressing the home button will still allow the app to slide down the screen. The multitask window is not, however, changed
Android M running quickly and smoothly
So far, there is one app crashed:. Twitter, and then only at a very specific act. Some Android users complain about application crashes, which included Uber and Evernote are called. However, I use these two apps do not.
What perhaps not everyone immediately noticeable is that the hotspot feature of the Nexus 6 shows a 5GHz option. As avid hotspot user in the train, this is a fine addition, partly because 5GHz is faster and more stable in crowded areas. With 5GHz you even during a conference easily tether without you have trouble with all 2.4GHz networks.
Settings and do not disturb
The quick settings panel is not really renewed, but it is possible to find a new button: ‘do not disturb’. If you press this, comes a new window where you can select three modes. The first is the only priority, “where you can choose what priority messages. Would you like to be disturbed only by messages from specific people? Then you can set. The same applies to calls where you have the option in Android M – if the same number twice in quick succession belt – the second time or to allow the sound. Handy if you normally only want to be disturbed by contacts but want to hear urgent calls as well.
The priority mode and silent mode we already know Android Lollipop. Android M adds one mode and turns quiet mode “total silence”. Sounds no alarm, no call, no message: absolutely nothing will disturb you. If you want to mute everything except the upcoming alarm, select ‘only alarms. This allows the sound settings easier to use and are also most apparent, but they are still somewhat tucked away in the quick settings panel.
The ‘only alarmen’ mode mutes now all sounds except the alarm
If you’ve enabled a mode, you can turn this quickly by pressing the volume buttons. Then under the volume slider a message to stop the mode directly. The slider is moreover adapted something where you can move the icon of the volume slider now flowing over the bar. That’s no longer in specific steps, as previously
The settings are shown in Android M in two color schemes:. Light and dark. On the screenshots above is to see the dark variant. This has the advantage of AMOLED screens with this color scheme consume less energy and that it is more pleasant in the evening to see. Since Google has taken into account and there is also an automatic mode color scheme present that matches the colors on the basis of time. So the daytime and clear in the evening and nighttime darkness. Also in the settings to find a separate section for Google, where you can see all kinds of Google settings.
Multi Window
It works tremendously simple: you activate multi-window and multi task list is now see an icon that you can add an app to the screen, under the app you have open at that time
Google Now on Tap and permissions <. /> h2>
Google Now gets into Android M a more important role than before. So you can print via the new Google Now on Tap one second on the home button to instantly see additional information about what your screen. Suppose you listen Spotify and Google Now on Tap used the smart search assistant displays relevant information about the artist you are listening to, such as the latest albums and when ‘he is acting in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, Google Now on Tap still not available in the Android M Developer Preview, and have so far only Google employees available to this function.
Another important change that brings Android M, is the ability to fast -instellingenpaneel customize to your liking. You can add and remove tiles, and change the layout of the tiles. Since the introduction of the quick settings panel in Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) Android users have been asking for the ability to customize the buttons, and Google now seems finally to respond.
Android Mshows too called domain URLs in apps. These are links that are associated with apps, giving you faster to the right page is headed in the right app. Suppose you open a PayPal link in the browser. Then automatically the ING app – or other supported banking app – open, allowing you to complete the payment. This is possible since lollipop, but Android 5.0 you have to press after the opening of such a link to the app in the list of compatible apps. Android M, you can set the app is opened directly, what the experience for example a PayPal payment makes a lot smoother. It integrates with the Chrome apps on your smartphone or tablet.
The biggest change that Android M brings is the ability to set the right apps. When you install an app you simply do not agree with all permissions, but you can assign permissions each app when an app needs it. Facebook wants access to your location? Then the app first asks, and you must explicitly give permission. In the App list of Android M you can see the press emissions per app and change.
In the Developer Preview of Android M feature does not yet work as advertised. That’s largely because developers have not yet adapted their apps for the new app-justice system. If you disable a permission of an app in the Developer Preview, the app may crash for example. It must also approve you yet all permissions during installation. So it is to wait for the developers to update their apps for this.
The energy efficient Doze
To be sure that some apps are allowed to wake the device zoalsWhatsApp to avoid the association with WhatsApp Web lose, you can add “ignore optimizations” app to the list. Here you also find the example download app from Android; otherwise the download will be truncated during Doze mode.
In practice, I notice very little Doze
In practice, however, I note little Doze. As you can see in the screenshot to the right, my Nexus 6 has experienced a lot of wake locks; times when your device is awakened by an application or process. That was at Lollipop quite different, where I got my wake locks well under control. However, it is too early to judge based on one day use and a Developer Preview, but a real improvement I do not see yet.
Smart Lock and Google Photos
Google also SmartLock after the release of the Android Developer Preview M updated with a very interesting feature. This is not specifically available for Android M, but we’ll discuss it anyway love. SmartLock now also offers the ability to automatically log you into web sites and apps. This works via the password manager of Google. So many people store their credentials websites on Google, and it can also be linked to apps. The log of the Netflix website is indeed the same as the app.
Apps that support the new SmartLock like Netflix (see screenshot above), sign up after installing the app automatically. Just press the app. This also applies to websites where Google credentials to find. It’s very handy and even has something magical. It is also quite logical that if you have registered for a service via the desktop browser and then download the app on your smartphone, you will be logged in automatically.
Google Photos of the update features and already For all devices with Android version 4.0 and higher. Besides the new unlimited backup option – in up to 16 megapixels or 1080p – also design taken in hand. Photos are automatically sorted by days but by spreading two fingers apart on the screen zooms out so that days turn into months or years. So you can quickly switch to the past and in your archive to search images.
Impressive is the search of the new Google Photos app. When Google recognizes me all kinds of pictures with beer, food or bike on it, and the results of search terms that I provide very accurate. I can search for example ‘snow’ or ‘smartphone’, after which pictures are displayed with the relevant concepts
Android M preview:. Conclusion
In our Android M preview we have all kinds of parts of the upcoming Android version treatable, but still not all. Ranging from Bluetooth-scan to find your location more quickly to the ability to set notifications at the top of your screen set by app: Android M offers lots of small new things. As Android M makes something clear is that Google is satisfied with Lollipop and the direction it is taking with the new Material Design. This feels this version of Android M not as new or innovative as the Developer Preview Lollipop, but as an improved and refined version of Android 5.0.
Android M is an improved and sophisticated version of Lollipop
As a user, you might be pleased with the ability to set permissions each app, but it is the many small improvements that Android M so interesting. That not-disturb mode works well and clearly. Or that Google Now with a small addition of a sudden going to play an extremely important role within Google. And this is not all that Google Android M plans. In the coming period we will see through updates to the Developer Preview what Google still has in store for Android users.
Latest news about Android M
Last Thursday, Google has finally Android from M explained. The new version improves Android on many issues. Thus simpler made app permissions and can make them yourself approve or reject. In addition, Android M has native support for fingerprint scanners and payment platform Android Pay. Thanks to a feature called Doze is the operating system more efficient with battery and data usage, by entering sleep mode if you do not use your device. Further, brings Android M USB c support for Android devices, simpler options for adjusting the volume and a flying pasteboard (cut and paste in text). 
Google Now is the time to come smarter and more proactive. Google is working on a new feature called ‘Now on Tap’, which is implemented in Android M and faster answers to questions you ask. Now on Tap analyze what is displayed on your screen and uses that context to show the right information at the right time. Now on Tap can set reminders, information on restaurants and directly retrieve the correct phone numbers for you. The feature works in all apps without the app developer so without having to make special adjustments. So you can while playing a certain song the real name of the artist to retrieve a voice command 
A big surprise was not it, but during Google I / O the search giant new photo service Google Photos should be and do. Photos is a new photo app from Google, which you all your photos lodges. The search giant assists Photos you ‘to organize moments of your life. “Photos are sorted by days but by two fingers spread apart on the screen, zoom out so that days turn into months or years. So you can quickly switch to the past and in your archives to look for pictures. According to Google, load all the photos quickly, as if they are local are stored. However, the pictures are not on the smartphone itself, but they are stored in the cloud. Google Photos saves all pictures and movies free, unlimited and ‘high quality’. There will anyhow take place only compression, but photos store up to 16 megapixels and videos to 1080p. 
It is in Google Maps possible to store maps offline, and then you still have access to spoken turn-by-turn navigation and all functions within maps. So you can search online for places and check the opening hours and reviews of certain locations. Previously, it had been possible to make available offline Google Maps, but there were still some limitations on when. Google has recently also done its best to improve the offline capabilities of apps like YouTube and Chrome, so you can store completely videos and websites. 
Since last week, anyone can use without Gmail inbox by invite. Furthermore, Google have Apps users finally have the opportunity to link their business Gmail account, something that was previously impossible. Furthermore, Google Inbox some equipped with new features such as’ travel bundles that bring together mails about a particular trip and emphasize important details (eg flight times and reservations.) You can undo from now sent e-mails, remove direct mail with a swipe and have the option to set signatures. Also, memories that were created in Keep appear in inbox. 
The advantage of pinned apps in Android Lollipop is that they close off only when you unlock your device, for example a PIN code. This is useful if you often accidentally the home or back button, or if your children undisturbed want to play a game on your smartphone or tablet. 
