The Android Marshmallow release was preceded by lots of rumors about it features and performance. Many gadgets and tech enthusiasts were suggesting different names such as Malt Ball, Milk Shake Meringue, etc. However, none was right. On August 17, 2015, Google laid to rest the mass hype surrounding the release of its mobile OS with the official unveiling of its latest mobile OS update, Android Marshmallow. Android Marshmallow is the newest Android OS in town and boasts of a good array of exciting features previously not seen in its predecessors.
Although the new Android OS release may appear different to many, especially in areas relating to its interface and operation, it’s still very much, to a large extent, an extension and refinement of the core features and functionalities of its predecessor, the Android Lollipop. It must be noted that as at the time of writing, not every Android Smartphone will have the opportunity or capability to upgrade to the newest Android update, at least for the time being. Except you are using the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P and maybe some recent Android-powered devices, you may have to wait for the full roll-out or make costly hardware upgrades.
Android Marshmallow release : what’s new?
App Drawer
One aspect of the new Android Marshmallow release that’s surprisingly different from the previous and older versions of Android OS is the App Drawer. In the previous versions of Android’s OS, we only had the horizontal list that allowed us scroll to the location of our favorite app by swiping left or right. However, in Android 6.0 Marshmallow there is a vertical list which you can scroll through using the new scrubber bar. You can also swipe either up or down to access your favorite apps, depending on how you want it. The App drawer in the Android Marshmallow release shares many similarities with the ones featured in the HTC sense with custom android interface, and the Windows 10 Smartphone.
Memory Manager
The major bane associated with utilizing Android Lollipop on Low-end, budget Android Smartphones is memory management. Most times, the RAM size included in the development of these Smartphones is often small, which makes installing and utilizing the Android Lollipop, difficult. Of course, these low memory issues will no longer pose a problem to upcoming android phones as their manufacturers have taken adequate provisions to at least keep the RAM size to 1GB and above. In addition, the new Android Marshmallow is less memory demanding, especially when compared to the Lollipop. The good thing about the new memory manager is that it gives Android M users the ability to track and monitor memory usage of all apps installed without using third party apps. It provides users a timeline on memory usage over last 3, 6, 12 and 24hrs.
Stricter App Permissions
Unlike what was obtainable in the past, especially with Android Lollipop Os and lower versions, where app permissions where granted only at the point of installation, apps running on Android Marshmallow phones must now request for permissions to access important functionalities such as camera, gallery, contacts, etc. This allows users to effectively monitor background activities and also curb espionage, especially those backed by government and other malicious agents.
Finger Print Support Now Comes Standard
Although this technology isn’t exactly new on android powered devices, the latest Android Marshmallow release now makes it standard for upcoming android phones. These new android powered smartphones now come standard with the requisite fingerprint hardware. Formerly, Android smartphones with the requisite fingerprint equipment could not utilize the fingerprint functionality unless a third party app was first installed. With the newest android OS, Android Marshmallow, there will be no need for third party fingerprint apps anymore. Once you purchase recently released Android smartphones featuring the requisite fingerprint hardware technology, you’d be able to do things like unlocking your smartphones, signing off on pay wireless and much more.
By-app Basis Battery Optimization
Conclusion
The new Android Marshmallow release brings lots of great, exciting features to the table, especially in areas such as battery management, Smartphone security, app permission and a host of other important areas beyond those mentioned above. The sad part is that not every Android Smartphone user will get the opportunity to upgrade to the newest android OS. Except you are willing to shell out some bucks for some costly hardware replacement, or wait for the full roll-out across all android based platforms – which may never happen, you may never get a taste of the Android Marshmallow prepared by the world’s largest search engine giant, Google Inc.