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Google I/O Keynote
On May 28, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET, Google will hold the keynote at its I/O developer conference in San Francisco. Expect news on all of its platforms: the web, Android, Chrome, and more. Fast Company's Harry McCracken, John Brownlee, and Jared Newman will be there to cover it in person and will share developments as they happen.
Did you miss the event? You can watch the keynote video here and read a quick recap of they keynote's highlights here.
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You guys in the room are about a minute ahead of the live-stream. No spoilers!
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Dave Burke, Vice President of Engineering, just took the stage to introduce Android M.
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Android M is about bug-fixing, and rethinking fundamental aspects of how Android has worked for years.
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Google's Newfangled Inbox Email App Opens To Everybody, Unveils New Features
Fast CompanyThe Google email client that isn't Gmail just got a little less experimental. -
Six key areas where they've improved the core user experience in M.
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Inbox, Google's this-isn't-Gmail email app, is opening up to anyone who wants to try it.
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App permissions are getting a much needed overhaul, possibly to be more like iOS.
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Location, Camera, Microphone, Contacts, Phone, SMS, Calendar, Sensors: Apps will ask you the first time they want access to these things. You can say yes or no.
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Yup: Android apps will now ask for permissions, not at installation, but when you try to use the feature for the first time. This is much needed: Android's permissions are a nightmare.
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You'll be able to easily see permissions you've granted, and revoke them.
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iOS works this way already. It's kind of naggy, but a net positive for users.
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This stuff only works for apps written for Android M. Older ones will work the old way.
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Two ways to find out what permissions you have given an app. One is a menu that shows every permission an app can be granted, the other groups apps under permissions granted (like Microphone) in a single menu.
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Will make auto-updates easier because an app that wants new permissions won't have to ask before installing. It can just ask when it actually needs to do something.
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Chrome Custom Tabs is a new feature that lets devs harness chrome's capabilities, but still keep their own app's look and feel.
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Pinterest's Android M uses it. Basically, it's a skinned version of Chrome that runs within other apps, with all of its features and functionalities.
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So you get sign-ins, saved passwords, autofill, and so on.
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Looks like apps that link to each other in Android is getting a lot more fluid.
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Android M will introduce "verified" links, reducing the odds of you seeing the annoying dialog asking what app you want to use to open something.
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Android Pay basically works just like Apple Pay. Sounds like Android will need built-in fingerprint sensor support to work.
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Sounds like Android Pay is what you'd expect: A lot like Apple Pay, but more open. Works in both real-world stores and online.
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Over 700,000 stores will support Android Pay at launch.
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Well, then... Over 700,000 stores... big brands, like McDonalds, Whole Foods, and many others. Also Uber, GrubHub, and other apps will soon accept Android Pay through the app.
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Works on KitKat and up, and uses fingerprint sensors on Android M phones. Android M includes built-in fingerprint support.
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Confirmed: Google's standardizing fingerprint support, and making it available to developers.
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Android Pay working with American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa. On Android phones from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile.
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These days, when I use an Android phone instead of an iPhone, Apple Pay is among the things I miss. I actually sometimes almost start to try to use it before I forget it isn't there.
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So, @harrymccracken, will we be seeing you doing a story on only using Android Pay for a week?
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Apple Pay
Android Pay
Samsung Pay
We need a universal Pay systemby Raymond Wong via twitter 5/28/2015 5:02:09 PM -
Android M will be more power and battery efficient. Android M will be smarter about managing power thanks to a new sleeping feature called Doze.
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"Doze" aimed at improving idle battery life. Uses motion detection to figure out when it's not in use, goes into deep sleep.
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This is a huge deal for tablet users. A major issue with Android tablets is that they die if you leave them alone for a week. iPads do much better.
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That's a clever implementation. Comparing two Nexus 9's running M and L, M is using up to 2x longer in standby.
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Perhaps a story could include a list of items to purchase, places to eat, etc, and then put Apple Pay and Android Pay head-to-head, and see which is a better experience.
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USB Type-C will be a new charging standard for Android. 3 to 5x faster charging.
