Android 5.2 M update brings new features to Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 9; roll out expected October

(REUTERS)

Google announced their latest operating system, the Android M, during I/O 2015. And as per Google's tradition, the company launched it during summer in order to give their developer partners several months to check and assess the Android M's developer builds. However, once that is done, the Android 5.2 M will start rolling out to users of the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 9.

The Android M is buckling Google's trend of operating systems named after desserts. Right now, it is going by the name of Macadamia Nut Cookie and Google fans are hoping that this is just temporary. With regards to the version, most agree that this operating system is 5.2 and it will roll-out in the Nexus 5, Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 as soon as the testing stage concludes.  

The updates that the Android 5.2 M version will bring are not as big as what the Lollipop brought, but it will introduce some key features. One of the biggest changes that the Android 5.2 M will reportedly bring concerns the app permissions system. With the update, users will only be asked for permissions if the app is being accessed. The update will also help improve the handset's battery life via Doze and will also offer relevant information about the contents of an app with the Google Now On Tap.

Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 9 users will also find that their app data can be backed up to Google Drive every 24 hours, but it comes with a  25 MB cap per app. Users will also be able to use customizable Quick Settings tiles that can be removed, added to or moved.  Icons in the status bar can also be hidden for a more streamlined look.

The latest operating system will also offer users the ability to use SD cards as internal storage. This is pretty handy for devices with low on-board storage. The Android M has also tweaked the Storage Manager so that it would show which apps are taking too much space and which folders can be deleted.

There are other changes that Google has made that would undoubtedly make Android users happy. Some apps that were tweaked were the Phone Dialer, the Contacts app that allows users to delete, combine or share contacts, the Do Not Disturb mode and the Multi Window. The last app has to be modded first before it can be used. There is also the new Share Menu, with a new feature called the Direct Share. This app tells the device which contacts are accessed on a daily basis and are consequently placed at the top for easier access.

So far, only developers have access to the Android 5.2 M. But Google's latest operating system is said to be ready for public consumption by October.

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