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

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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
Published: May 28, 2015 -- 17:33 GMT (10:33 PDT)
Photo by: James Martin, CNET

Caption by: Larry Dignan
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
Published: May 28, 2015 -- 17:33 GMT (10:33 PDT)
Photo by: James Martin, CNET

Caption by: Larry Dignan
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
Published: May 28, 2015 -- 17:33 GMT (10:33 PDT)
Photo by: James Martin, CNET

Caption by: Larry Dignan
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
Published: May 28, 2015 -- 17:33 GMT (10:33 PDT)
Photo by: James Martin, CNET

Caption by: Larry Dignan
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
Published: May 28, 2015 -- 17:33 GMT (10:33 PDT)
Photo by: James Martin, CNET

Caption by: Larry Dignan
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
Published: May 28, 2015 -- 17:33 GMT (10:33 PDT)
Photo by: James Martin, CNET

Caption by: Larry Dignan
USB C everywhere
The latest Android devices will use USB Type C and charge faster and even charge other devices.
Google I/O
Published: May 28, 2015 -- 17:33 GMT (10:33 PDT)
Photo by: James Martin, CNET

Caption by: Larry Dignan
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.
Google I/O
Published: May 28, 2015 -- 17:33 GMT (10:33 PDT)
Photo by: James Martin, CNET

Caption by: Larry Dignan

2 of 8 NEXT PREV

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.

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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

Published: May 28, 2015 -- 17:33 GMT (10:33 PDT)

Caption by: Larry Dignan

2 of 8 NEXT PREV

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