Google Launches Android 6.0 as Marshmallow

Google has formally introduced the official Android 6.0 SDK along with the final preview of Android M, now being presented as Marshmallow. In his remarks about the name of the latest release, Android product manager, Jamal Eason, explained that “whether you like them straight out of the bag, roasted to a golden brown exterior with a molten centre, or in fluff form, who doesn’t like marshmallows?”

Apart from its traditionally unique name, there are a ton of new and unique features in the new update that were promised in the launch of the M Developer Preview at Google I/O. The changes include, but are not limited to, updates to the Fingerprint API for better error reporting, fingerprint enrolment and greater reliability, along with an update to the permissions user interface. In addition to that, the latest version of android will also feature Doze, which is supposed to reduce background app activity when the device is inactive in order to provide a longer battery life, and a USB-C connector that aims to charge devices three to five times faster than current chargers.

Since Android Marshmallow has now been officially launched, developers are also permitted to publish apps for Android Marshmallow on Google Play. However, the Android team leader at app developer firm Mubaloo, Adam Mayer cautioned developers to ensure first if their apps are ready for Android 6.0. He explained that “this means ensuring app permissions reflect the new system, streamlining the app install and update process.” Mayer advised developers to use the new Android Support library, which will make it easier for them to integrate new features in a backwards compatible way to support the variety of operating systems in use today.

Having said that, Mayer also warned developers over adoption rates. He said that “despite the advances to Android, Android Marshmallow faces the issue of its OEM partners, particularly those in China, who continue to eschew the latest version of its OS and services.” Mayer claimed that “even Samsung has launched its upgraded Samsung Pay that will likely displace Google Pay on its devices,” adding that “the main people to benefit from the improvements will be those who chose stock Android, or have a phone where their operator or manufacturer enables upgrades to the latest OS.”