Nexus Devices Start Receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow

The Android 6.0 Marshmallow mobile OS was released by Google to the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9 and the Nexus Player recently. The new mobile OS was officially announced by Google in August 6 and was described as the smartest version of the Android OS by Android Product Management Vice President Brian Rakowski of Google.

The Android 6.0 Marshmallow mobile OS comes with the “Now on Tap” feature, an enhanced battery life, additional security and privacy controls, and simpler device setup. The “Now on Tap” feature allows users to pull up relevant information about the things they are working on their devices. For example, if someone invites the user to visit the zoo, the user can tap and hold down the home button to allow the feature to provide links to relevant information about the destination, create a calendar event and offer shortcuts to relevant applications.

Rakowski added that two new features were also added into the mobile OS. The two features, “App Standby” and “Doze” reduce the power usage of devices to a considerable degree. “App Standby” sets applications that are seldom used into a decreased activity state. On the other hand, “Doze” sets the device into a sleep state when it detects that the device is idle, which allows power to be conserved.

Nexus Devices Start Receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow - image credit: bgr.com

When it comes to privacy, the new apps permission model allows users to select the type of permissions given to apps. It also allows users to disable permissions to apps any time. The fingerprint of the user can also be used in unlocking the device, sign into applications, authorize Google Play store transactions, and use Android Pay in checking out.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow mobile OS also facilitates setting up a new Android-powered tablet or an Android TV. Users can simply tell Google to set up their devices using their phone, and the mobile OS will transfer applications, application data and Wi-Fi passwords.

The Android 6.0 Marshmallow is already pre-installed on the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X, which can be pre-ordered through the Google Store and will be delivered by the end of October.

Posted by George Daniels on Friday October 09 2015, 11:36 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Technology. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0