Android

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Recently Google announced that its operating system will be numbered Android 6.0 and called Marshmallow. The announcements killed loads of rumors and speculations surrounding Android M, the developer preview unveiled by Google on 28th May 2015. Google has announced that the final version of Marshmallow will be released in fall 2015. But several websites have reported that the final version of Android will be released in October.

So both users and developers are currently excited by the new features included in the final version of Marshmallow. Google has already revealed several new features while unveiling Android M in May. Also, the company has already released three developer preview versions of Marshmallow to facilitate mobile app development. Based on the developer preview versions released by Google, one can easily identify some of the new Android 6.0 Marshmallow features.

10 Features Users can expect from Android 6.0 Marshmallow

1) Android Pay

Google is completely revamping its mobile payment service to compete with Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. The revamped Android Pay included in Marshmallow uses a near field communication (NFC) terminal. A user can now buy products from any member store and make a payment simply by clicking on the NFC terminal. He can further make payments securely by creating a virtual account number without revealing debit and credit card numbers. The Android developers have to include Android Pay in mobile apps to facilitate both in-app purchases and mobile commerce transactions.

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2) Enhanced Google Now

The virtual assistant from Google makes Android score over other mobile operating systems. Android 6.0 will include an improved Google Now that will allow users to get more relevant, contextual, and useful information about the content currently running on the device. For instance, a user can use Google Now to gather additional information about YouTube videos running on his screen. He has to hold down the home button to gather useful information and suggestion related to the video clip.

3) Permission to Access Phone Features

While downloading an app, one has to grant permission to access various devices like the speaker, camera, sensor, and location. Android 6.0 divides all app permissions into specific categories like camera, sensor, and location. This implies that while downloading the app, it is no longer necessary to grant permission. The app will ask permission to use a specific feature before performing a specific function. For instance, when you try to make a call through WhatsApp, the application will ask you to use the speaker each time you make a call. And hence you must grant permission to access the speaker each time you want to call using WhatsApp.

4) Option to Add Fingerprint Support

While developing apps for Marshmallow, developers have now added the option to use fingerprint support. Google has included a biometric API in the mobile operating system to create apps with fingerprint support. The feature will help Android development professionals to make apps more secure and personalized. Simultaneously, fingerprint support will further enable users to make payments through Android Pay in a more secure way.

5) Doze

Android 6.0 will also come with a new feature called Dose to boost the device’s battery life. Doze will optimize power conservation by identifying if the device is in a rested state. Google claims that it has already tested the feature’s effectiveness to make the battery life two times longer when the device is in standby mode. Doze will enable fewer background services, but it will not affect incoming instant messages, notifications, or alarms.

6) USB Type C

Marshmallow will further support USB Type C to make it easier for users to charge their smartphones and tablets. The universal and widely-used connection type can connect all peripherals of the device and provide power to it. The latest MacBook versions and other devices already support USB Type C. USB Type-C will help to charge the devices much faster than legacy micro USB chargers.

7) Track Memory

Mobile apps are mostly hated because they use additional memory on the device, affecting its battery life. Some of these memory-hungry apps are uninstalled right away to boost the devices’ performance. Android 6.0 makes it easier for users to identify the apps that consume more memory through the Track Memory feature. They can use the feature to check cache, installation, and similar memory taken by a specific app. They can even check how frequently the app is running. So it becomes essential for developers to ensure that the mobile applications consume minimal memory.

8) Option to Run Apps Side by Side

The large screen available on the tablets encourages many users to run two apps simultaneously. Android 6.0 makes it easier to run two apps side by side on a tablet by splitting the entire screen. While other mobile operating systems already have this feature in place, this new feature will enable users to access multiple apps at a time regardless of their choice of device.

9) Chrome Custom Tabs

Marshmallow will additionally come with several features to enhance users’ mobile web experience. They can now use the Chrome Custom Tab feature to open a web view that will load on top of the mobile app. So, they are no longer required to open the web browser to access the web view. The feature enables them to access web content directly on the custom tab created on top of the app. The tabs will further support common features like password saving, auto-fill, and automatic sign-in.

10) Direct Share and Floating Toolbar

The two new features included in Marshmallow seem simple and minor. But they will help the mobile platform to enhance UX significantly. Direct Share feature will enable the device to identify who the users frequently share content with. Thus, they can share content with regular contacts simply by pressing a single button. Likewise, the Floating Toolbar will make it easier for them to copy and paste content from various documents and web pages.

However, the users have to switch to specific mobile devices to take advantage of Marshmallow and its new features. The developer preview versions of the mobile operating system are currently available only for Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player. But the hype surrounding the updated version of the most popular mobile operating system will encourage many manufacturers to launch new devices without delay.

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I work for WideInfo and I love writing on my blog every day with huge new information to help my readers. Fashion is my hobby and eating food is my life. Social Media is my blood to connect my family and friends.
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