Following release of Marshmallow SDK (API Level 23) to Android developers couple weeks ago, Google had already raised our interest in its latest Android Version 6.0 – Marshmallow (Yummy!). And now it has officially introduced Android 6.0 Marshmallow to Nexus users on Oct 5, 2015. The new Nexus 5X and 6P will now have Android 6.0. Android Marshmallow is the smartest Android version yet providing user friendly features like long running battery, and new app permissions gives more control.
The Now on Tap feature
This new feature will stay on task alongside user and will be instantly helping the user by pulling up relevant info. To give you an example, say I have received an email for a meeting from one of friends at the Central Park Zoo. Then I just need to tap and hold on the home button, and Now on Tap will assist me by providing links to information about the zoo, shortcuts to relevant apps and even suggest a calendar entry for the date, time and location.
Longer lasting battery
This is the improvement on how our device uses the charge it has. With Android Marshmallow, two new features are added which dramatically decrease device’s thirst for power.
With Doze, Android recognizes when our device is idle and it will automatically go into a deep sleep state to conserve power. To see the difference, Google has performed a test on Nexus 5s and Nexus 6s devices by putting Lollipop on half of them and Marshmallow on the other half, and measured standby battery life. The screen-off time of the devices running Marshmallow lasted 30% longer on average! So even if we forget to plug in our phone before bed, our phone’s alarm clock will still ring. The other battery-conserving feature “App Standby”, will put rarely used apps into a reduced activity state to conserve battery for the apps we use more frequently.
More control to protect our privacy
As mentioned above, Android Marshmallow provides high level of customized privacy. It has app permissions model, wherein user can pick and choose which permissions they would like to grant apps at the time of use as the apps are designed in such a way that it will only ask for the permission at the time it’s needed to use a feature. User can deny any permission and still continue to use the app. It also provides universal setting for permissions that allows user to turn on and off any permission, for any app, at any time.
Security with our fingerprint
For fingerprint sensor enabled devices, Android Marshmallow makes our fingerprint as the gatekeeper for unlocking your device, authorizing transactions in the Google Play Store, signing into 3rd party apps, and zipping through checkout with Android Pay.
Quick Set up for our new device
With Android Marshmallow, we can breeze through setup on our Android TV or tablet. Say “OK Google, set up my device” from the phone and it will quickly be up and running. For TV, it also has a feature of transferring over your Wi-Fi passwords.