With the release of Android M, Google has taken some major steps to improve usability. Some of the improvements will have positive effects on apps overall, and some will certainly help conversion.
As a users I am perhaps most excited about “Doze” which allows for the phone to have a deeper sleep when not in use. According to Google, this just may double battery life on some phones, depending on the usage pattern. But of course, as a developer, perhaps one of the most important impacts will be on conversion rate due to improved permissions. Two major changes stand out:
1) Permissions happen on usage, not on install
Users who download an app may not be ready to make a decision on permission at the point of download or first open. Delaying that until they open the app and will actually use the feature (which is when it makes logical sense to ask for permissions), may just mean a lot more apps will get installed and opened.
2) Users control permissions
This is good news, as users who may get spooked about what they need to permit can now fully customize what they allow an app to do. This of course puts the onus back on the developer to entice the user to open up permissions as they get familiar with your app, but that is how it should work in the first place. It should also serve to cut down on rogue apps who grab unneeded permissions and spam users, which will help the market overall.
Check out the entire improvement session below. Well worth your time!
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