Play Store v5.9 Begins Preparation For Android 6.0, Adds Support For Fingerprint Readers, An Uninstall Manager, And More

A late afternoon update to the Play Store just hit the scene. While we've only witnessed a single new dialog box in the live app, there are plenty of things standing out from a teardown. Preparation for Android 6.0 is clearly a big part of this release as signs pop up for support of the new optional permission model and fingerprint readers. 

There is also an uninstall manager in the works for those times when you've run out of space. We can also look forward to a new interface for requesting refunds and an option to get very precise recommendations based on location. 

What's New

If you're looking for something new in the latest Play Store, and if you're using Android M Developer Preview 3, check out any app that targets API 23. A popup appears the first time one of these apps is downloaded, letting users know that their experience will be a bit different with the new permission model. For now, the list of apps is limited mostly to Google's own line-up, LastPass (pictured above), and a rare few others who have been quick to get updates out since the release of the SDK a few weeks ago.

Fingerprint Readers

Android M has plenty of headlining features, but the two we've been talking about constantly are the new optional permissions and built-in integration with fingerprint readers. If nothing else, the leaked images of the LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6 (or whatever they will be called) are a constant reminder that we can expect overly obvious reader panels on many of our phones for the foreseeable future. With this knowledge, we could have easily guessed that the Play Store would soon accept the tap a digit to skip those obnoxious password prompts when we buy a new app. 

Uninstall Manager

We live in a world with apps that keep getting bigger and built-in storage that's not exactly keeping up. Between phones with 20 MP cameras and games that regularly average between 400 MB and a couple of gigs, it's easy to run out of space. Google knows this and plans to assist in some basic management. There is an upcoming feature called "Uninstall Manager" that will make it easy to pick out the overweight apps that get in the way the next time you're trying to install something.