Sony Has Released Android M Developer Preview For 12 Sony Xperia Devices

Android phones — The Meizu MX5 smartphone powered by Android 5.0 Lollipop has been unleashed. Reuters/Elijah Nouvelage

The Android M OS was revealed at a Google event in May. The Android M Developer Preview was first launched exclusively for some Nexus devices; however, fresh reports reveal the preview version is also available for selected Sony Xperia devices.

According to the official Sony Mobile website, the developer preview of Android M will soon be accessible on Xperia devices that belong to the Japanese tech giant's "open device" program. At present, Sony only has made the Android M Developer Preview available for some Xperia devices.

Sony has created a simple tutorial on how to compile a ROM of Android M Developer Preview along with the required software binaries so that users can try the Android M on their Xperia devices. Sony claims that the build is not meant for general use, and it lacks complete support for the camera and modem. Currently, it is only a platform for developers to test apps and experiment with new APIs.

The Xperia devices that are eligible to receive the Android M preview version include: Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Table Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia E3, Xperia M2, Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia T3.

Google has not disclosed when the Android M will be officially made available. However, it's suspected to arrive pre-installed on the new Nexus 2015 smartphone, which is expected to release in October this year, according to Phone Arena.

The Android M comes with plenty of new features and improvements, according to PC Advisor. The Doze Mode in Android M is a new, battery-saving option that helps increase battery life twofold by putting the device into sleep mode. A fingerprint scanner will allow users to initiate payments through Android Pay.

The Android M will allow users to selectively agree to permission requests while installing an app. Some of the other Android M features include Android Pay, USB support, split-screen multitasking, the ability to remove apps from the device right from the home screen and more.

Android M Developer Preview on the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact: