The guesswork about what codename the next version of the Android operating system will bear as finally been laid to rest. Google has revealed that the next version of the OS, which had been tentatively called Android M, will be called Android 6.0 and codenamed Marshmallow.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow represents a continuation of Google’s tradition of naming its operating system versions after sweet treats. The OS version comes after earlier sweet-themed versions such as Eclair, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, KitKat and Lollipop. The final preview of the OS has now been released.
What to Expect?
Android 6.0 Marshmallow will expectedly come with some very cool features, which are making many to consider it a possible iOS killer. Just in case you do not yet know what the new OS will bring to the table, let’s have a look at some of the features to expect.
App permission control
You will now be able to manage app permissions on individual basis, rather than on a large-scale basis. Gone are the days when you have to grant permissions once during installation and when receiving updates.
With Android 6.0, you can grant and revoke permission for apps and permission is requested whenever an app wants to use any feature on your phone, say, when WhatsApp wants to access the microphone on your device.
Fingerprint support
Android 6.0 Marshmallow boasts native fingerprint support. Google aims to standardise support for fingerprint scanners used on various devices its OS will power. The fingerprint support will enable you do more than just unlock your device with a scanner.
Chrome Custom Tabs
Users are in for improved web experience on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with this feature. Chrome Custom Tabs enables you open links within an app in a customised Chrome browser inside the same app, removing the need to exit an app in order to open a webpage in a separate Chrome browser. This is a good time-saver.
Android Pay
Google’s new mobile payments system, Android Pay, will come built into the Marshmallow software. The feature enables you make payments without physical card, using your device’s near-field communication (NFC) capability instead.
When you add your card details to a device running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, a unique virtual account number is created to enable you conclude transactions using Android Pay, which replaces Google Wallet.
Power management
Android 6.0 Marshmallow has been tweaked to deliver longer-lasting battery life. A feature called Doze automatically monitors background processes and shuts down power-consuming features that are not being used.
The OS also boasts USB Type-C support, ensuring fast charging and making it possible to charge other devices with your own.
Android 6.0 comes with an improved app linking system which automatically associates links to relevant apps to allow you open them without having to choose by yourself what apps to use.
Copy and paste functions have been simplified, with a floating toolbar for copy, cut and paste now available in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which comes with a faster, vertical-scrolling app drawer.
The software now lets you rotate your home screen and interact with device’s the screen either vertically or horizontally, just as you can do within some apps. Location of the RAM manager has been changed to allow you easier and faster control over apps that are hogging memory.
In the same way, Android 6.0 Marshmallow makes things easier keeping tabs on usage of internal storage – quite useful when starved for space. There is also an improved Google Now to help you search for information seamlessly.
Availability
The third and final preview of Android 6.0 Marshmallow has now been released. The preview is available only to users of select devices – more precisely, Google Nexus 5, 6 and 9 devices as well as Nexus Player.
No specific date has been announced yet for the release of the final official build. All that is known at this point is that the final version will be launched in the third quarter of this year, which we are already into.
