Google I/O 2015: How Google is trying to simplify Android

At Google I/O, the company rolled out a developer preview of Android, known as Android M, with the motto that the little things matter.

By Larry Dignan, Contributing Editor on May 28, 2015

1 of 8 James Martin, CNET

Welcome to Android M

Google is trying to improve quality with Android so it is focusing on a lot of little things that may annoy existing customers.

Google I/O

2 of 8 James Martin, CNET

Simplified app permissions

Let's face it. One of the most annoying things about Android is you have to decide at the install process what permissions you feel like granting to an app you have barely tried. The fix? Android will ask for permission the first time you use a feature. That move alone will cut the constant prompts you get on Android. Burke said "with the new permission model, updates are seamless."

Google I/O

3 of 8 James Martin, CNET

Chrome meets app

Google is giving developers the option to use Chrome custom tabs. These tabs ride on top of an app so if you click on a link you wind up on a Web page that looks like an app. A Pinterest demo showed a near seamless experience.

Google I/O

4 of 8 James Martin, CNET

Android Pay integration

Apple Pay came later than Google's efforts and grabbed market and mind share in a hurry. Google has learned from Apple and announced a bevy of retail deals and partnerships. Android Pay is more integrated with Android and that should bolster Google's ambitions somewhat.

Google I/O

5 of 8 James Martin, CNET

Android Pay with fingerprints

Google's e-commerce wallet will integrate with fingerprint sensors and ultimately allow patterns and fingerprints to seal a deal. "We believe the same partnership model that fueled Android's growth will enable Android pay to be successful too," said Burke.

Google I/O

6 of 8 James Martin, CNET

Better battery life

The next-gen Android will use its motion sensors to know when a device is unattended. When a device figures out you're not around it will go into what Google calls a doze mode. As a result, Android M devices will get twice the battery life over the previous version.

Google I/O

7 of 8 James Martin, CNET

USB C everywhere

The latest Android devices will use USB Type C and charge faster and even charge other devices.

Google I/O

8 of 8 James Martin, CNET

The little things

Things like volume control for Android have been revamped, but other features such as voice interaction, work status and do not disturb status have been added. On the enterprise front, there are seamless certificate installation for companies as well as better diagnostics.