Google has unveiled the newest version of its Android operating system as well as new mobile payment features that will be available later this year.
Android M will have three stages of previews before becoming finalized, according to its program overview for developers. According to the Android Developers Blog, the new OS version focuses on three areas of major changes to the platform: in permissions; in tighter linking capabilities between apps; and in battery life through a new feature called Doze that uses motion detection to determine if a device has been unattended for a while and turns off background activity. According to Google, the improvements in Android M can give phones up to two times their regular battery life in standby mode.
It also enables easier access to Google Now in contextual activities such as texting, and uses fingerprint authorization with its new Android Pay feature.
A number of banking vendors, including USAA, U.S. Bank, Discover, Citi, Capital One, Mastercard and Visa, followed up Google’s announcement with word that they will be supporting the new payment option. What will happen to Google Wallet, the company’s current offering in mobile payments? That’s still unclear, with Andrew Martonik at Android Central speculating that Google Wallet may play a role as a more narrowly focused app within a broader world where most of its functions are taken over by Android Pay.
Google bought mobile payments company Softcard – formerly known as Isis Mobile Wallet – earlier this year, as well as intellectual property related to mobile payments from AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless.
Watch the keynote on Android M and additional features from the Google I/O developer conference below, and see more videos from Google I/O here.
