October 19, 2015

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Filed under: Main — Tags: — admin @ 12:01 am

android_marshmallow

Like every Android user on the planet, I didn’t ask for the Android 6.0 “Marshmallow” upgrade; it just appeared! There! On the screen! “A new version of the Android operating system is available.”

One of the reasons my devices have been updated is that they’re Google Nexus gizmos. I have a Nexus 5 phone and the Nexus 9 tablet. I have a Nexus 7 tablet, but it’s ancient (as are all the Nexus 7 tablets), so it sits in its box just in case someone ever writes me with a Nexus 7 question.

For everyone else, the Android 6.0 upgrade will come whenever your device manufacturer or cellular provider deem it necessary.

Don’t hold yer breath.

Of course, the big issue is, “What’s different?” And specifically, “What’s better?”

At this stage in the game, I can’t tell you. Superficially, I see an identical user interface and system as I did with Android 5.2 “Lollipop.”

The big issue with any device remains the apps. I just updated my eBook Dan Gookin’s Android Apps A to Z, so I did a quick looksee on Marshmallow to see if anything major has changed . . .

Nope. All the apps look the same as they did for the last version of Android. I assume some changes might be in order, but I’ve not found them yet.

Looking on Google’s Android Marshmallow site, I see the following items touted as new features:

Now On Tap. Long-press the Home icon/button and Google Now brilliantly assesses your current situation and tells you what it guesses is important information. I’ve tried it and all it seems to do for me is start the Google Now app. So I’m underwhelmed . . . for the moment.

Doze. Smarter battery software in Marshmallow helps keep your phone or tablet powered for longer periods of time. I’m guessing this feature is a sleep mode that doesn’t disable the display. So, perhaps a sleep mode with one eye open? Further, some background apps are stifled with a feature called App Standby. That makes sense: Have you ever toured the Overview (list of recent apps) and wondered why all those apps are still open and running?

Better App Permissions. If you visit an app’s info page in the Settings app (under Apps or App Manager), you tap the Permissions item to control specific access points, not just look and nod your head. As an example, Figure 1 shows the permissions for the Facebook app. See how individual items can be shuttered? That’s a boon for personal security — especially for the Facebook app!

Figure 1. Permission settings for the Facebook app. (Click to embiggen.)

Figure 1. Permission settings for the Facebook app. (Click to embiggen.)

Fingerprint Security. Someday, the device manufacturers will figure out mobile security. A swipe of the thumb is a great way to unlock your phone or tablet. Android 6.0 helps by fully integrated biometric technology into the device’s security. My Nexus devices don’t feature a thumbprint reader, so I’ll have to weigh in on how this feature works when my Galaxy S6 gets Marshmallow — if ever.

And that’s really the bottom line: When will your gizmo get the upgrade? It could be soon, but my Android experience tells me that you’ll most likely find Marshmallow on an Android phone or tablet you purchase . . . next year.

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