Android Marshmallow And The New Nexus: Reality Check
Today Android M was listed by Google in their collection of events for Google I/O. This is Google's yearly developers conference, one where it's common for Google to reveal a new flavor of Android – or at least major updates for flavors of Android. At this year's Google I/O 2015, Google's first mention of Android M has appeared. This will most likely end up being called Android Marshmallow. Meanwhile there's a rumor that the Nexus 9 will be replaced amid some (relatively outlying) price drops abroad.
For a tiny mention, Android M has certainly gained some traction over the past 12 hours. It's not like Android Lollipop isn't great – it's pretty awesome – but any new version of Android is something Android enthusiasts will be all about.
Android hasn't changed all that much in the past several years – why would it?
We're at peak Android, after all.
What else can be done?
Better the 3rd party systems like CyanogenMod create big changes than Google continue to change their system for the sake of change.
Instead, it's far more likely that Android M won't be revealed at Google I/O 2015, and that the miniature mention of more wearables will take command at this year's developer conference.
Think Android Wear.
Think new ways to work with devices that are already on the market.
Then prepare yourself for a new tablet.
Again, it's not as if we need a new tablet. The Nexus 9 is a perfectly fine piece of hardware for what it was made for. Not like there's a lot of competition out there, anyway. But the rumors will flow.
Price cuts abroad suggest this device will be replaced in the near future, a mere half-year after it's been introduced. Don't bet on it.
Instead, expect this year's Google I/O to be even more developer-focused than last year, and the year before that. Expect what Hugo Barra suggested several years ago to continue to unfold – that Google I/O would continue to go more in a developer-aimed direction.
Reality check: Android isn't changing as fast as it once was. There's no reason for Google to make drastic changes at this point. Instead, expect more Chrome and more smashing of Android and Chrome together.
And more services, of course.