At Google I/O 2015 today, Google pulled the curtains off form the latest iteration of Android codenamed as Android M. During the last week, Android M made a number of rounds in the rumor mills, Google just brought all the rumors to an end today at the developer conference. With the release of Android M, Google aims to go back to the basics as said by Sundar Pichai (Senior VP Google). Android Lollipop focused more on the interface by means of Material Design, but Android M will focus on stability, performance and usability of the software. Google didn’t hint at the Android M name or version number, but gave us a handful of information about what the Android M will bring.
Chrome Custom Tabs
Google is going to load Android M with plenty of new and enhanced features. One of the changes is in the Google Chrome browser. In the earlier versions of Android we saw that whenever an application required the use of a Google Chrome browser, users had to go out of the application and use the browser separately. Google now offers Google Chrome Custom Tabs, which lets developers integrate Google Chrome in their applications. So if the application now prompts the users to use the Chrome browser, they can use it within the application without switching into the browser and leaving the current application. Automatic sign-in, saved passwords, autofill and all such features for Chrome browser will be available within the apps.
Application Permissions
Another change in the Android M is the in application permission department. Applications will ask for security permissions as required. Earlier the applications asked for all security permissions at once, but now these permissions are divided into 8 different categories. 
Intent Update
Another cool addition in the Android M is the in-built app linking system, which also known as “intent”. For example if you have clicked a Facebook, DropBox, Google Plus or Twitter link in a web page, your Android will prompt you to select the application using which you want to open that certain link. It will either ask you to open that link using a browser, or using that particular application that link is from. In Android M, this has been changed. Android M will no longer ask you to choose from a list of applications. If you’ve clicked a Facebook link, it will open it in Facebook application. If you have clicked a DropBox link, it will open it up in the DropBox application.
Android Pay
Google Wallet, which is Google’s payment application currently on Android is going to get replaced with Android Pay. Android Pay will use NFC and Host Card Emulation for tap-to-pay services. App developers will be able to integrate Android Pay in their applications for in-app purchases. Android Pay will be accepted in 700,000+ US stores. It will be pre-installed in At&t, Verizon and T-Mobile devices. Android Pay will also support fingerprint scanner on devices like Galaxy S6.
Doze
When Android Lollipop came out, users had severe battery issues which added to dislikes of Android Lollipop. Google seems to have taken a serious notice of this issue and bring the fixes in Android M. Android M will offer the users a much better battery management and a much longer battery backup. A feature named “Doze” is implemented in Android M, that works on motion detection. It basically detects which application is in use and which is not, and shuts down the in-active applications or background process immediately.
USB Type-C Support
For faster charging, Android M will bring native USB Type C support. With the help of USB Type-C connectors, you can plug in a cable in any direction. You can even charge another Android device using your Android device.
According to Google’s vice president of engineering Dave Burke, Google has added a number of features to the core of Android, which were folded into the Android OS by different device manufacturers.
Android will make its way to the public later this year. Android M’s developer preview is already available for Nexus 5, 6, 9 and Nexus Player. If you own of these devices, go ahead and install the developer preview right away. Don’t forget to tell us what do you think about the latest iteration of Android.
