At the end of 2015 Google started rolling out a brand new Android 6th generation OS called “Marshmallow”. It’s not surprising to know that all the Android versions have distinctive names of sweets and seems like this tradition is maintained. The main questions comes out – will it be better than the 5th generation of the Lollipop? And is it worth to update? We’ll go through detailed review of this brand new Marshmallow OS hoping that all key features will answer to those questions on their own.At first look there’s no major changes on the home screen. However, getting to the main menu we were pleasantly surprised by seeing that all apps are arranged vertically from the starting letter. The top section displays the last and most frequently used applications. This layout is locked, so for those who once loved to use their own layout, such a possibility will disappear.
Quick settings (on the top of the screen) has become freely controllable. The most important controls can now be placed in your desired order.
“Do Not Disturb” mode has gained more options. From now on, Do Not Disturb mode is divided into 3 categories: absolute silence; only a reminder/alarm clock; only preference settings. Each contact can be marked as high priority, where even in Do Not Disturb mode call or message still be heard. Priority settings are also available in reminders and events which must be notified despite the Do Not Disturb mode is switched on.
From now on each user can set his own rules. As an example, we create a calendar event for meeting every monday from 10 to 12 o’clock and set it to Do Not Disturb mode. In such an event the phone stays quiet and automatically returns to normal mode after the meeting time passes by.
Friend mentioned the movie which you haven’t seen yet? Allow Google to read a friend’s written movie title and you’ll get all the details about it. You also can be directed straight to the desired movie theater or cinema website to purchase a ticket.
Main settings has been extended with additional Google tab, allowing to separately manage each Google service. This feature comes extremely handy when installing new apps. Before now, every app installation requested access approval to stored personal information or device management. And in case of not accepting at least one of the following conditions there was nothing to do just to cancel the installation. Thankfully with the 6.0 update this is solved by allowing user to control each application access to his personal information or device management functions.
“Doze” feature has been developed to maximize Android battery life when it is not actively used. Lets say phone was left on the table for a longer period of time, in this case all active applications will be dipped in to deeper sleep twice as saving energy now commonly used. Basically all apps stays active just in less power consumption mode.
Announced new generation USB Type C cable will be released with all latest mobile phones and tablets working on new Marshmallow OS. Using Type C, battery power will become easy shareable with other Android devices. This is one of the coolest features helping to easily exchange information and battery power through single cable.
Update is now available on Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, LG G4.
On 2016 first quarter update also expected on mobiles listed below. And don’t forget that update timeline still varies depending on region, phone model and carrier.
Samsung
Galaxy S6/S6 Edge
Galaxy S5
Note 5
Alpha
HTC
One 8
One 9
One M9+
One E9
One ME
One E8
One M8 EYE
Butterfly 3
Desire 826
Desire 820
Desire 816
Sony
Xperia Z5
Xperia Z5 Compact
Xperia Z5 Premium
Xperia Z3+
Xperia Z3
Xperia Z3 Compact
Xperia Z4 Tablet
Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Xperia Z2
Xperia Z2 Tablet
Xperia M5
Xperia C5 Ultra
Xperia M4 Aqua
Xperia C4
LG
G Flex 2
G4c
G3
V10
Motorola
Moto X Style
Moto X Play
Moto G
Moto X Pure Edition
Moto MAXX
OnePlus
OnePlus 2
OnePlus One
OnePlus X
Huawei
Huawei P8
Huawei P8 Max
Honor 4X
Asus
Zenfone 6
Zenfone 5
Zenfone 4
Zenfone 2
Honor
Honor 7
Honor 6 Plus
Honor 6
Honor 4X
Honor 4C
