Google finally releases the first Android M update for Nexus devices

Users who have been running Android M on a Google Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, or Nexus Player have something to look forward to today: it is getting the first of two updates that are expected before it is ready for a wider release to consumers.

The newest M build is MPZ79M for all devices except the Nexus Player; that one gets updated to build MPZ79N. It comes with the latest Google Play Services 7.6 build, and is available as a factory image to download and flash right now. You can also wait for an OTA update, if you prefer.

Here is the official changelog, straight from Google:

• Permissions changes
  • The android.permission.USE_FINGERPRINT permission now has “normal” protection level, so it is no longer necessary to request this permission directly from the user. The USE_FINGERPRINT permission enables fingerprints to be enabled for authentication, but does not give the requesting app access to the enrollment/fingerprint administration flow.
  • The android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission has protection level “dangerous”, meaning that apps wanting to write to external storage will need to request permission from the user at runtime. BothWRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE are members of the STORAGEpermission group.
  • Remote Bluetooth/Wi-Fi MAC’s now require either theandroid.permission.LOCATION_FINEorandroid.permission.LOCATION_COURSE permission.
  • Some accounts and identity permissions are moved to CONTACTS permissions group and others are removed or granted based on account type. In particular,android.permission.USE_CREDENTIALS,android.permission.MANAGE_ACCOUNTS, and android.permission.AUTHENTICATE_ACCOUNTS are ungrouped pending further changes in a later release.
  • The Wi-Fi permissionsandroid.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE,android.permission.CHANGE_WIMAX_STATE, andandroid.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_MULTICAST_STATEnow have protection level “normal”.
  • The Bluetooth permissions android.permission.BLUETOOTHandandroid.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADMIN now have protection level “normal”.
  • Bookmarks and subscribed feeds permissions are removed.
  • Apps included in the system image are no longer granted dangerous permissions automatically. All apps should check for and request permissions at runtime.
  • Introduces the utility methodActivity.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(String), which lets your app see whether users have previously rejected a permission request. This lets you know that your app should explain the the user why it needs that permission. For more information see the Permissions developer guide.
• Other changes
  • The android.app.AssistContent and android.app.AssistStructureclasses are moved into a new package, android.app.assist.
  • Bluetooth Stylus APIs are updated and include new callback events. TheView.OnStylusButtonPressListener class is renamed toView.OnContextClickListenerandGestureDetector.OnStylusButtonPressListener class toGestureDetector.OnContextClickListener.
  • TextInputLayout doesn’t set hint for embedded EditText. (fixed issue)
  • Camera Permission issue with Legacy Apps (fixed issue)

Google has also provided us with a list of known issues:

• General issues:
  • The system Messenger app crashes on the 64-bit emulator.
  • After updating to Developer Preview 2, Contacts sync experiences intermittent issues. The workaround is to clear and re-sync Contact Storage data after update. To clear data, go to Settings > Apps > Show system > Contacts Storage. Select “Storage” and then Clear data.
  • In YouTube app, it’s not possible to share a video. The share window is blank.
  • Android For Work Profile setup is not working properly, so you won’t be able to create a new Work Profile after you update. As a workaround, make sure to create the Work Profiles you need in Developer Preview 1 before updating to Developer Preview 2.
• Issues specific to MPZ79N on Nexus Player:
  • Bluetooth share crashes after clearing data. Please do not clear Bluetooth share data, otherwise you will need to Factory Reset your device
  • There are issues with remote control connectivity. Remote can drop from Bluetooth pairing when left idle.
  • Movies show black screen with some ANRs on exiting the video.
  • In YouTube app, lower-resolution videos have a green bar at the top and some color-ghosting

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