Android 6.0 Marshmallow (codename: Android M) was officially released September 29, 2015 and had Android enthusiasts excited all over despite recent update of Android 5.0 Lollipop to Android 5.1. This is primarily due to the event Google hosted specifically for this auspicious occasion plus the anticipation of Marshmallow's tons of upgrades and new technologies to be revealed.
The new Android operating system is now public. With many scrambling to get hold of the latest smartphones carrying this Android upgrade, Google announced that only Nexus smartphone models will be dressed up with Marshmallow according to Android Pit contributor Scott Adam Gordon. The following Nexus models will be receiving the Marshmallow upgrade via over-the-air (OTA); namely, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, and Nexus player and this has commenced since Monday, 5th of October.
On the other hand, Nexus smartphones with Android 6.0 installed are as pre-orders in the following countries: USA, UK, Ireland, and Japan and shipping of these units are also due this October.
While many are still getting themselves familiar with Android Lollipop and its latest update, Android 5.1, a large number of Android followers are already showing eagerness to make the switch to Android 6.0. But what does Android Marshmallow have that shows great promise? As noted by Gordon from Google VP of Engineering David Burke, the Android upgrade contains many technological innovations that make it truly stand out from other Android incarnations.
The following are only a slew of major innovations present in the new Android operating system; to wit: App Permissions, Improved Web Experience, Fingerprint Support, Implementation of Mobile Payments, App Links, Power and Charging, Copy, Cut, Paste Function, and much more.
The official name of the new Android operating system, codenamed Android M, was revealed August 17, 2015 through a Google Developer's blog together with information on some of its nifty features, Gordon also mentioned.
Continuing on Android Marshmallow upgrade, quite a number of Android Lollipop users still believe that Android 5.0 and its current update, Android 5.1, will continue to hold its ground against its new sibling, Android 6.0.
Endgadget contributor Brad Molen, on his November 14, 2014 post, laid out the official roadmap for Android 5.0 (codename: Android L) that Android users continue raving about since KitKat and these are the following: Improved Material Design, Improved User Interface, More Efficient and Streamlined Apps, Faster Set Up in Android Devices, Better Notifications and Interruptions Menu, Lock Screen, Performance Enhancements, Security Features,and Miscellaneous Add-ins.
It is interesting to note that the update from Android 5.0 to Android 5.1 also enjoyed favorable response from Android users. The update, released March 10, 2015, addressed several issues according to Android Central contributor Alex Dobie. Dobie enumerated the following improvements committed to Android 5.1; namely, Quick Settings Tweaks, HD Voice + Dual SIM Support, Screen Pinning, Device Protection, Volume and Interruptions, and Miscellaneous Add-ins.
The stage is already set between these two rivals for Android OS dominance. Lollipop is only a year old and still shows great promise to its many users. However, with Marshmallow surprisingly stealing the limelight from Lollipop, all that remains to be seen is how the latter will stack up against the former in overall Android user experience.
Upgrading or not to the latest Android OS has to be done with practicality in mind. However, Android 6.0 Marshmallow does carry loads of OS refinements compared to the just recent Android 5.1 Lollipop update. Android 6.0 likewise champions itself as the best Android OS version to date. And by these facts alone, many Android users might start considering leaving Android 5.1 for Android 6.0 the soonest.
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