The upcoming Android M operating system from Google is the company's major update release for 2015. The operating system is expected to introduce new features as well as improve older ones. Through leaks and rumors, some of Android M's features were slowly revealed to the public domain.
Here are three of the most interesting news about Android M.
USB Type-C Support
Android M will introduce the USB Type-C which will probably replace the microUSB port currently available on almost every Android device in the market. A USB Type-C cable is reversible and connects to both the host and the device making it easy to be connected. It eliminates the struggle of looking for the correct end when charging or connecting a device to a PC.
The USB Type-C cable also has a data transfer rate of 10Gbps compared to the 5Gbps transfer rate of USB 3.0. According to CNet, USB Type-C cables offers 20 volts and 5 amps of power which is significantly higher compared to the 5 volts and 1.8 amps power output of the USB 3.0.
Battery-Saving Mode
Google announced that Android M will have a new battery-saving feature called Doze. The new feature aims to extend battery life by using the sensors installed on the phone to determine whether the phone is in use or not.
According to PC Authority, the phone can save battery by lowering down CPU load or turning off apps when the phone is in idle. Google claims that the Doze feature can double the phone's standby time when activated.
Android Pay
Like its iOS rival Apple Pay, Android Pay allow its users to pay for goods and service simply by positioning it near a wireless payment reader. Google announced that the service will be supported in the United States by more than 700,000 stores. Aside from NFC, Android Pay is also rumored to support fingerprint identification in order to authentication transactions.
Since 2009, Android versions were named under a confectionary-themed naming system released in alphabetical order starting with Android 1.5 Cupcake. Subsequent versions were called Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat and the most recent Lollipop.
Announced in May, the aptly called Android M opened up several naming speculation. Popular choices are Macadamia Nut Cookie, Marshmallow Meringue and Maltesers.
Google has kept its silence about the current status of the Android M, especially its release date. However, there are rumors pointing to a possible release date somewhere within the end of September or the first week of October.