Android M New Features and How to Easily Install

The new Android M (Android 6.0) was recently announced by the Google team at the I/O developers’ forum. The new OS brings many new features, promises simplicity and offers users more control over apps running on their devices.

Apps Drawer

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The newly designed app drawer offers better functionality than the previous one in the Android Lollipop 5.0. You can search for apps and all apps are organised alphabetically. Interestingly the app drawer now scrolls vertically, instead of horizontally.

System UI Tuner

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The new System UI Tuner is fully customizable and allows a quick and easy access to your pull down notifications and settings. The quick setting under the System UI tuner allows rearrangement of things like; aeroplane mode, auto-rotate, torch, hotspot, Cast screen, mobile data etc, also you can add a new icon or remove an existing one completely.

Full Apps Backup

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Now you can easily restore or upgrade your device pain-free. Apps can be reinstalled and fully setup. The Full App State Backup is a built-in feature in the new Android M. There are some limitations, only 25MB of data will be backed up. It won’t save large downloaded app media files.

System Theme Option Interface

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The theme option offers users to change the Android system Interface into light mode, dark mode or it can be set into an automatic.

Organised Widgets

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The new widgets in Android M are much better than the Lollipop. No more scrolling to the left and right, you can only scroll vertically to select the app’s widget to add to the screen. All apps are organized alphabetically and each app’s widget/s positioned beneath it, with the option to scroll righ+left to select the widget of your choice.

App Permissions Control

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This must be the best feature in the new Android M. Google’s new OS gives the users more control over apps’ permissions. By default apps have more control over the user, app developers can set their apps to have access to your contacts, calls, sms, camera etc etc.

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Some apps need access to your contact, sms and so on, but some others really don’t. For example, downloading the Light Touch app pictured above, interestingly this app needs access to nearly every element of the device, not sure why a light touch app needs an access to the Device ID and Call Information, quite suspicious. With Android M you have control to revoke this app access to these areas, simply go to settings>>apps>>App Permissions and alter the app permission to whatever you feel you are comfortable with, keep in mind some apps need access to some areas of your device to function and operate correctly.

Free Storage for Photos and Videos

Google Photos gives you a single, private place to keep a lifetime of memories, and access them from any device. They’re automatically backed up and synchronised, so you can have peace of mind that your photos are safe, available across all your devices.

With Google Photos, you can now backup and store unlimited, high-quality photos and videos, for free. Google maintains the original resolution up to 16MP for photos, and 1080p high-definition for videos, and store compressed versions of the photos and videos in beautiful, print-quality resolution.

Advanced Assistance and Payments

The new Now on tap – is designed for Android users to get assistance with Now on tap — whenever they need it, wherever they are on their device. For example, if your friend texts you about dinner at a new restaurant, without leaving the app, you can ask Google Now for help. Using just that context, Google can find menus, reviews, help you book a table, navigate there, and deep link you into relevant apps.

Android Pay & Fingerprint – Android Pay will enable Android users to simply and securely use their Android phone to pay in stores or in thousands of Android Pay partner apps. With M, native fingerprint support enhances Android Pay by allowing users to confirm a purchase with their fingerprint. Moreover, fingerprint on M can be used to unlock devices and make purchases on Google Play. With new APIs in M, it’s easy for you to add fingerprint authorization to your app and have it work consistently across a range of devices and sensors.

Android M Video

How To Install

To have a taste of the new Android M you can simply install the preview version on your device. The preview build of this so-called “Android M” is only available for the Nexus devices; Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Play.

Installing Android M on your nexus device is a straight forward process, however carrying it is purely at your own risk and you should back up all of your data and consider the risk before installing the new preview version. You can watch the above videos or for all links and tools you need simply head to Wonderhowto site, there are great and easy to follow tutorials for Windows user & Mac/Linux users on how to install Android M.