Android M (Photo : Reuters)
For the Nexus 2015, Google has reportedly tapped LG and Huawei to take care of the hardware concerns. The software side of the upcoming vanilla Android flagship is all about Android M, which to date has given a number of clues on what the device is capable of on release date.
Android M is on its Developer Preview 2 phase and thanks to Green Bot, seven key features of the new Google mobile operating system have been highlighted in a slide presentation. As always the case, these handset features will be experienced first with the Nexus 2015.
Quick app access
On both the LG Nexus Bullhead and Huawei Nexus Angler (and for other Android devices), pulling up applications will be quicker than ever as the Android M tweaks include the vastly improved app drawer. The redesign empowers users to quick search the apps they need via a search bar, which is similar to the Google Search widget, that offers suggestions as letters are typed in.
Google Now lock screen access
Using the platform's digital assistant, Google Now, is made easier on Android M even from the lock screen. Without unlocking the Nexus 2015, users can just swipe the left hand corner of the screen and Google Now will get activated.
App setting management
While Google would want Nexus users on its in-house applications like Chrome and Gmail, Android M gives the option to set what apps will be prompted on certain occasions thanks to the Default Apps setting. The tool gives to users the last say on what will be the dominant applications on their Android devices.
RAM manager
Android M provides a window on how Android and applications installed on a device make use of RAM. The new Memory Manager gives an overview of real-time RAM usage and individual app's tap on the memory resource that should paint a picture of how RAM is allocated and the best way to optimize its use.
Personalized quick settings
Android M also allows the shuffling of quick setting tiles, accessible by swiping down the screen from the notification bar, with some bits of reconfiguration through the new powerful tool called System UI Tuner. The same tool can make notification alerts disappears or become sticky, depending on user's preference.
Tap and drag uninstall
Cleaning up Android M on the Nexus 2015 becomes easier as unwanted applications can be dumped outside of the Application Manager or Play Store. The task merely involves long tapping a target app, which will make an Uninstall option to appear on the device screen. Users can then drag the app to the Uninstall menu and it will be gone for eternity.
Customizable Doze
When Doze was first introduced, it basic function is to prolong battery life by forcing applications to sleep and to stay in such state when a device is either unplugged (not charging) or idle. In Developer Preview 2, the Doze mode can now be disabled selectively - meaning users can choose what apps will stay awake while Doze is doing its work.
The real-world benefits of the Android M features mentioned above will be first tested once the Google Nexus 2015 is unboxed, the release date of which is pegged to happen as early as September.
