5. Built-in WiFi calling, Android Pay, and App deep linking
WiFi calling
Google’s latest endeavor, which is dubbed Project Fi, wants to bring a state-of-the-art wireless carrier to their Nexus 6 users. It couples Sprint, T-Mobile, and WiFi networks to make a very powerful mobile carrier. It will automatically switch between which has the best connection.
As I pointed out earlier, Android M has native WiFi calling, so if you have a SIM card that has WiFi calling capabilities, you will be able to use Android M to do so.
Android Pay
Android Pay was also announced at Google I/O 2015, and it has the potential to rival Apple Pay. Google is going all-in with an easy, mobile payment system, so it isn’t surprising the ability to pay on the go is built into Android M as well. On top of that, stock Android supports fingerprint sensors/readers to help push the Android Pay initiative.
Google has already secured over 700,000 stores to use Android Pay and over 1,000 apps with more being added everyday to each. Now that Android Pay has a good name (better than Google Wallet) and a solid foundation to start on, it will definitely set Android M apart.
App deep linking
One thing Android allows for is the ability to pick and choose apps that you prefer. You can set your own defaults, but it usually comes with an annoying prompt to choose whether to open a Twitter link in Chrome or in the Twitter app. With Android M, that all changes.
M brings along with it app deep linking, which automatically choose the pre-installed app on the device. That means a Facebook link will open in the Facebook app, Instagram link in the Instagram app, Google+ link in the Google+ app, and so on. That means no more annoying prompt, which Google should have included sooner. Better late than never though.
