Nexus 2015 Rumors: Android M Code Reveals High-End Fingerprint Sensor, Native Tap-To-Wake

With the development of the Motorola-made Nexus 6, Google appears hard at work to deliver an entirely different handset in the Nexus 2015. At least two exciting features of the device have been hinted at by Android M.

Ron Amadeo of Ars Technica sifted through the present form of Android M and unearthed a number of fresh features that will likely be among the main functionalities of vanilla Android devices and their skinned counterparts. Specifically, two of the features Amadeo detected inside the intricate Android M codes are believed to be perfect for the next Nexus flagship.

Top Caliber Fingerprint Reader

One of the major revelations from the recently concluded 2015 Google I/O is the fact that biometrics, particularly a fingerprint scanner, will become a built-in character of the operating system. This indicated that the Nexus 2015 will join Apple and Samsung in providing a convenient way to unlock and protect mobile devices.

But what exactly is the fingerprint API all about? One thing is sure, Ars Technica said, the standard and implementation are miles from the same API that was present in the Android Lollipop last year. Per the scrutiny conducted by Amadeo, fingerprint reading on pure Android phones will be “one touch style.”

That means for the upcoming Nexus, Android fans can expect the same quality of fingerprint system seen with the Touch ID on the iPhone 6 and the same feature delivered by Samsung in the Galaxy S6. But the same report also noted that the high quality fingerprint reader is an across the board implementation in the Android system as anything below par hardware will not be supported by the software API.

Native Tap-To-Wake

Another power feature that Amadeo said is likely in the Nexus pipeline is native support for tap-to-wake. The premium device function was popularized by the recent flagships from HTC and LG. Users were hooked when these vendors released devices that can be quickly energized by a series of taps.

Google was seemingly impressed by the innovation and decided to do the same in its Lollipop sequel. The immediate benefit for users is they don’t have to grapple in the dark for their phone’s power key to bring it into life. Taps will easily do the work.

The Ars Technica report said that OEMs only need to support this code with right hardware and the feature will be readily available. As for the Nexus 2015, there is little doubt that tap-to-wake is a default feature that will come with the device, which is slated to be released this year, most likely in October or November.