Google Android M for LG Nexus 5: Key features surface ahead of OS launch

Google's next Android smartphone operating system, tentatively termed Android M, is expected to be released to select smartphones during Q3 of 2015. The newer platform will be made available to prominent Nexus smartphones as a firmware update.

Android M firmware offers a host of new features to the smartphone.

According to a GottaBeMobile report, Android M brings to Nexus 5 users, key functionalities including:

• Boost to battery life: Android M is said to bring a new feature, recently announced by Google, called Doze. This functionality enhances the battery life of a device, when left unattended for a specific period of time, by automatically limiting background services started by Android. Google's Doze is said to double battery standby time.

• Google Now: Android M for Nexus 5 will tweak Google Now to support "On Tap" input which should make it easy for users to access more information by simply holding down the virtual home key. Google Now is activated and will throw up multiple cards relevant to the on-screen content queried by users.

• System UI tuner: With this feature, users can customise Quick Settings, by easily adding icons and tiles along with the ability to eliminate unwanted settings sub-menus.

• Enhanced volume options: Within Android M, on-screen volume controls are set to get a lot more simpler, in comparison to Android Lollipop. Sounds with respect to three categories viz alarms, system sounds and notifications are clearly segregated and shown to users.

Google's Nexus 5 was released in 2013 and the Android Lollipop OS within was found to contain inherent issues which forced Google to roll out multiple Lollipop increments.

Google, in May, released the developer preview edition of Android M for smartphones of select brands.