Google I/O’s keynote address has come and gone, and as expected the Californian company has announced a wide range of new features and services. That includes Android M, the next version of Android, and new services like Google Photos, Project Brillo and Android Pay. Let’s take a look at the biggest headlines!

Android M

We didn’t get a full name for Android M, but we did learn some exciting new things about the new OS on top of the usual mantra of bug fixes and security improvements. Here are some of the biggest new features:

1. Google Now is getting much smarter, with Now on Tap. The feature is activated when you hold the home button in an app, and automatically pops up Now cards with relevant information at the bottom of the screen. For example, If someone texts you about seeing a movie, you’ll get cards for booking tickets, viewing a trailer or checking IMDB. The feature is fast and eerily clever, a continuing theme of Google’s efforts in this space.
2. App permissions are getting more granular. Normally when you install a new Android app, you’re shown a big screen with all of the permissions it needs – camera, microphone, GPS, stuff like that. In Android M, that screen is gone. Instead, you’ll be asked for new permissions as they’re used by the app, ensuring your time isn’t wasted on features you won’t use and you get a better idea of the purpose of each permission request. You can also see a list of all apps that are using a certain permission, like your camera or GPS.
3. Battery life and charging have been improved. USB-C is supported in Android M, opening the door for new phones that use the new reversible, bi-directional connector. Standby battery life has also been improved, thanks to a new mode called Doze. The mode uses motion detection to find out when your device is stationary and unused, and then sends the device into a deeper sleep than usual, trading app freshness for up to double the battery life in standby.
4. Google Chrome can now be integrated into apps using Chrome Custom Tabs. These themeable tabs can be launched by apps, and have access to your logins, cookies and other data, just like the full Chrome browser. It’s a good balance between the previous two options for developers – coding an in-app browser themselves, or kicking you out to the full Chrome browser.
5. Don’t like the new white theme in Settings introduced with Lollipop? You can now choose to use a black theme instead, with a toggle in the Developer Options. It’s a small tweak, but it’s most welcome.

Google Photos

Google is making the most popular (and best designed) part of their Google+ social network into its service. Google Photos offers unlimited photo and video storage, “auto awesome” tweaks, and some incredibly powerful auto-tagging. For example, Google automatically tags people, places and things, letting you see all photos of a given family member, or all photos taken in a given location. The app, available for Android and iOS, looks fast and flexible too.

Project Brillo

Project Brillo is a new operating system for the Internet of Things, providing a common platform for smart objects like refrigerators, locks and light bulbs. The OS, which is built on a stripped-down version of Android, includes support for WiFi and Bluetooth, and should make it way easier for developers of new smart devices and customers trying to ensure their smart devices can work with one another.

Android Pay

Android Pay is the revival of Google Wallet, the company’s largely failed mobile payments system. Android Pay works similarly to Apple Pay, letting you pay for physical goods at 700,000 stores (in the United States only, for now) using NFC. You can also authenticate your payment using a fingerprint reader, if your device has one. You can also use Android Pay to make in-app purchases.

Conclusion

So there we have it – the biggest headlines from Google I/O. What do you think is the most interesting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or tweet us @mobilefun!