Now that the app is available in beta, it looks like the development pace is going into overdrive. 

An A teardown of version 5.5 uncovers several new features that show how is pushing its app to be the central nervous system of your Android phone.

y this matters: The app, along with ay Services, are primary weapons against Android fragmentation. can push out updates new features without manufacturers or carriers getting in the way. The app is also the hub for Now, which uses your account data in a number of ways you might find helpful.

Concert tickets

One headline feature is a card for concert tickets. The code string indicates that might alert you to when the doors open for an event that you’re planning to attend. would get this, of course, by scanning a confirmation message in your Gmail. It’s something to keep an eye out next time you’re headed to a show.

A batch of status indicator cards

lets you turn on or off Bluetooth, -Fi, or the Flashlight via voice. Now when you do so, you’ll see a status card for such comms. This way you can quickly toggle the feature or go into the Bluetooth or -Fi settings sections after issuing a directive with your voice.

Custom Chrome tabs

announced Chrome custom tabs at I/O this year. They give developers the ability to open full-page web content in a separate screen right from inside the app.

Code in this update indicates such custom tabs are coming to the app. This way if you tap a news story in your Now feed, you won’t get kicked over to Chrome. The advantage is you’ll get the site in a Chrome-powered tab, but then can easily retreat into by tapping the back button.

If you want to check out such features before they hit the mainstream, sign up to be a tester with the app beta.