3. Updated volume controls

The volume control scheme on stock Android has been rather rudimentary for some time now. Outside of custom Xposed modules or ROMs, the option to really control the sounds of the device have been rather tedious. Android M now allows the user to control the Ringtone, Media, and Alarm volumes all in one central location.

They are all accessed via the volume buttons, as previously you had to go into sound settings to adjust media and alarm volumes; unless you were in a respective app, such as Clock, playing music, watching a video, or playing a game. It is definitely much more convenient and makes life much easier. There is nothing more than I hated than worrying about a video or a sound being too loud in class or out in public.

Another interesting feature of the new volume controls is that Silent mode finally makes a return. The device will still show notifications and allow for alarms to go off, but there will be no vibrations. The lack of silent mode was one of the biggest blunders of Android Lollipop, so it’s good to see it has finally returned.