Main Difference – Android Marshmallow 6.0 vs 6.0.1
The main difference between Android Marshmallow 6.0 and 6.0.1 is that Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 comes with updates like 200 new emojis, a new way to launch the camera, a convenient way to use the Tablet with a modified user interface, reinstatement of the ‘do not disturb’ mode and other security features. Although these updates may not seem to be a big deal, they do enhance the user experience and Android Marshmallow os to compete with its rivals more effectively. Let us take a closer look at both the operating system and the update and see what they offer.
Android Marshmallow 6.0 Review – Features and Specifications
The Android Marshmallow can be referred to as a refinement of the functions and features that came with the Android Lollipop edition. The following review will take you through the appearance of the new OS, the new Google products that have been added to the OS, security improvements usability and other features that have enhanced the system even further.
The Nexus devices were the first to receive this update as they are Google Products.
Design
The design of the latest Android Marshmallow OS is very much similar to the design of the Android Lollipop. The Material design has been used in a more pervasive way in this new operating system. There are some differences in the appearance and features on the Marshmallow.
Lock Screen
The lock screen of the device is very much identical to the lock screen found on the Android Lollipop. It also comes with expandable notifications and shortcuts to applications. The dialer which was found in the bottom corner of the Android Lollipop has been replaced with Google’s Voice search. Voice commands are becoming a famous and easy feature and the Android Marshmallow has made it an integral part of the operating system. The results produced by the voice command are accurate most of the time. The accuracy and the efficiency depend on the complexity of the term and the speed of the internet connection. The voice commands also come with the ability to launch apps with the use of voice commands.
Home Screen
In addition to Google voice command facility, there is also a Google search bar on the home screen. The Google Now feature has been posted on to the immediate left of the Home screen. With the long-press of the Home button, a new feature called Google Now on Tap can be launched. The applications on the smart device can be launched by a variety of ways. It can be done by voice commands, executing the application icons and by going into the app drawer. With the long press of the app drawer icon, it is easy to navigate into the app drawer.
Application Drawer
The app drawer now has a vertical scrolling pane whereas the Android lollipop came with a navigation pane that was horizontal. The navigation within the apps can be done in alphabetical order or with the use of a scrubber bar. The vertical scrolling list makes it easy to navigate and look for apps. On the top of the app drawer, there is a place for apps which are known as predictive apps. This will be decided according to the frequency an app is used and according to the time of day particular apps are used.
The apps can be dragged from the app drawer to the home screen. When dragging the apps, there will be options available like App info, App uninstall and Remove action, to perform the tasks efficiently. This feature will not available if you are dragging a system application.
Quick Setting and Notifications
App notification will be displayed in the notification area. When this is tapped, the full app will be launched. This notification area will also display system notifications. The quick settings feature display settings like screen brightness, Wifi, Bluetooth and data these setting can be toggled on or off like with the Android lollipop operating system.
A bar on top of the screen displays the time, data and status bar icons as well as an icon to switch between users. The switch user area will take the user to the quick settings menu where the user or the guest mode has to be selected again. The battery percentage, information regarding the service provider are also present.
System User Interface Tuner
This feature will provide the user with few tweaks that can be done on the user interface. Icons can be added or removed from the interface with the use of this feature.
Google Now on Tap
Google Now on Tap may be the key feature that comes with the new operating system. The contextual information that needs to be searched can be easily accessed with the long-press of the home button. Google Now on Tap works by reading the content on the screen and searching the information automatically without the user even needing to type anything down. The keywords on the screen will be used during the search. This feature can be a game changer in the way we use our phones in the future. It may not be perfect in accuracy now, but it is a useful and effortless feature which will gain momentum as time moves on.
Voice API
With the introduction of features like Voice Search and Voice Commands, the Voice API will be the heart of these applications. Now third party apps can be launched with the use of voice commands. This feature was not available with previous versions of the Android operating system. Third party voice API’s are also supported by Google to provide flexibility for the user.
Android Pay
Android pay is a touchless payment system which is similar to Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. Android Pay can be used in NFC-enabled terminals and an NFC-equipped smartphone. Samsung has a distinct advantage as it does not need NFC support but can work well on existing magnetic strip readers.
Doze
Doze is also a new feature that comes with Android Marshmallow. It is an intelligent feature where it analyses the device to know when it is not in use and goes into hibernation. This feature may seem to be a bit complicated, but the battery saving achieved by this feature is exceptional. The doze mode cannot be modified according to the needs of the user.
App Standby
This feature identifies the applications that are not being used and puts them into deep sleep mode; in other words, it virtually disables unused applications.
Reverse Charging and Type C Support
The type C charging cable is reversible, which means it can be plugged in any direction. The new USB type C is also capable of supporting faster data rates and faster charging speeds.
Micro SD Support
The Android Marshmallow 6.0 is capable of fully supporting Micro SD. Previous versions like Android Kit Kat did not support this feature, Android 5.0 Lollipop only provided partial support. The main reason for the absence of this feature in previous versions was the security concerns.
RAM Manager
The user will be able to view how the system and individual apps are consuming memory while the device is in use.
Permissions
Applications will need to get permission from the user in order to make use of the resources and components that are placed in the device. This is a great security feature which will help in avoiding unnecessary permissions from getting out of hand.
API for Fingerprint
Android Marshmallow 6.0 now comes with built-in system fingerprint API, which is capable of assisting the user in Android pay, touchless payment. The fingerprint is able to work fast and accurately.
Selecting Text
With this edition of the operating system, the text selection tool has seen an improvement, but it cannot be considered perfect by any means. A floating menu will appear with the select all copy and share options while performing this task.
Difference Between Android Marshmallow 6.0 and 6.0.1
With all the above-mentioned features, the Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 update will come with the following upgrades to the operating system. This update is expected to improve the performance, security features and stability of the OS as a whole. There are some notable upgrades that come with the Android Marshmallow update. Let us take a closer look at them in the following content.
200 New Emoji
The Android Marshmallow update comes with 200 new emojis up its sleeve. Google has added these smiley faces to its update in order to counter the similar update that has come with the iOS 9‘s latest update. iOS is also good at giving its users new emoji’s and stickers. The emojis that were added to the iOS 9.1 update were Unicode 8, and they are very much similar to the updates received by the Android Marshmallow. There is a few new and creative emojis that are in store with the new update.
Camera Launch
With the new update comes the camera shortcut to launch the camera application. By double tapping the power button, the camera app can be launched in devices like the Nexus 6, Nexus 5 and the other members of the Nexus tablet family.
Tablet User Interface
Home, Back and multitasking buttons are usually located in the center of the screen of any tablet. This is somewhat an inconvenience as tablets need to be operated using one hand. The new update has pushed these keys to the corner of the device which can be easily operated by the thumb.
Disturb Mode
The Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 has reinstated the Do not disturb mode which was completely removed with the Android Marshmallow 6.0 OS.
Security
Monthly security updates will be launched in order to strengthen the security features of the operating system.
Android Marshmallow 6.0 vs 6.0.1 – Summary
There are some essential and exciting features that come with the update that should not be missed by the Android user. So updating to the new version would be ideal to make use of these features.
Image Courtesy:
“Nexus 5X (White)” by LG Electronics . (CC BY 2.0) via Commons
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