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SHORTLY AFTER ANNOUNCING its two new flagship Nexus phones, Google has started rolling out its latest update to Android, version 6.0 or Marshmallow.
Yet the chances of you seeing it arriving on your phone anytime soon is slim.
The devices that will see it initially will be the Nexus 5, 6, 7 and 9 (the Nexus 5X and 6P will arrive with it as standard). After that, it will be a slow rollout of other devices, starting off with those that follow Android closest (Motorola, HTC) before arriving on other manufacturers that offer their own version (Samsung, Sony).
For those who are familiar with the Android upgrade process, this won’t be a surprise. The process is rarely straightforward since how fast the update will arrive – and whether it arrives or not – will very much depend on the manufacturer.
And that’s even if the update is brought out to all devices. Since there is a massive volume of devices out there, most won’t get the update and would be stuck with whatever version they’re running.
Either way, you will be waiting for a bit before the update to arrive (or if you upgrade to a new device running it), but here’s what you have to look forward to.
Now on Tap
Arguably the most useful feature on Marshmallow, Now on Tap allows you to scan your screen and bring up relevant search information.
So if a friend says they’ll meet you tomorrow somewhere via WhatsApp, holding down the home button will read the contents on screen and bring up relevant info and options like setting a reminder and directions to that place.
In this example, scanning an article about the UFC brings up fighter information, the venue, and relevant links.
App Permissions
Another major change to how Android works is the ability to control individual permissions. Previous versions required you to accept all them all first before you downloaded an app, but not only can you change this, it will also ask you for permission first before using a feature.
Battery life
The bane of many smartphone owners, many manufacturers have looked for ways to extend battery life through software and Google is no exception.
Its solution is called Doze and takes advantage of the times you’re not using your phone. It uses your phone’s accelerometer to identify when your phone is resting, and when it’s dormant long enough, it sends it into a deep sleep, shutting down background activities until you need it again.
You still get ‘high-priority’ notifications like texts and calls, but apps can’t take advantage of this as those notifications have to go through Google’s cloud messaging server. Anything else like Candy Crush Saga reminders or Instagram notifications won’t come through.
‘Expandable’ storage space
Traditionally, micro SD cards are used to save media files like photos and videos, but Marshmallow will now treat them as an extension of your phone’s regular storage space. What that means is if you have a 16GB phone and an 8GB micro SD card, it will act like your phone has 24GB of storage.
This potentially brings up problems like what happens when you replace a micro SD card, or if manufacturers will start offering the option again, but for cheaper Android devices with 8GB storage, it could be very handy.
Simplified app tray
While it helps keep the home screen free, the app tray was never the best one to navigate with left swipes becoming impractical if you downloaded numbers apps.
Marshmallow changes this to one long list, which is easy to navigate. Holding down the side allows you to scroll down by letter, and at the top, you have your most recently used apps. The search bar is also here so you don’t have to scroll all the way down to find certain apps.
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You cared enough to comment
worst thing I ever done was change to android , pure muck, back to iPhone very soon
The best thing I ever done was change from IPhone to Android.
Pure over rated muck, the Sony Experia X series would kick any equivalent Iphone at a fraction the price.
it’s Xperia z series
My mistake…Z4 at the moment
really? it went from z3 to z5 in Europe. z4 only came out in Japan. have a z2 myself. still going strong after a year.
Whether you are a fan of apple or not they get their updates the day the new version comes out if you want it. I had a galaxy i9000 something and it took 9 months before O2 I think released an update to fix the push email from Exchange. So much for a business contract.
Google need to work with the phone companies and provide an easier way they can hook their “personalisations” into the standard OS so they can be updated directly from Google. Functionality aside, they need to do this do phones can get security updates as the present system is very poor.
Minom Pnom _Phone Nazi.
@Pronnsias. Call yourself anything you like but a nazi is something spectacularly poor. You should try and elevate your opinion of yourself to maybe an idiot or an eejit. I think either would be vastly more accurate
“still going strong after a year.”
Gotta love Android optimists…
Android is the poor man’s IOS.
Can you highlight what I corrected? I really can’t see anything in my comment. All I said was Google need to sort their act out so all users can access their new OS rather than wait forever for their carrier. Didn’t I?
iOS is the Luddite’s Android
How so Karol, if you’re an IOS fan what does apple say on what you think?
English please Dave
I have marshmallow some last Wednesday on my 2013 nexus 5. Nice little improvements.
Me too! I like it, really improves the battery life.
I still have a WAP phone.
I’ve a Motorola and I’m still in android 4 !
Who cares?
Exactly
I care because I wan’t the latest software update available or my Android Phone.
I also want the latest and best of what the elite want to throw at me.
Looking forward to this update hope it arrives soon
Anyone with an Android phone obviously.
Bought (€166) a new Moto g 3rd generation – no more contracts SIM only from now on! And it’s getting OTA Marshmallow in November!
have your say