After releasing three developer previews, with the last one sent out in August, Google finally revealed that it will be rolling out the new Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS to several Nexus devices on October 5. The announcement was made known during the search giant's recent September 29 launch event.
This news follows an earlier report by Android Police which hinted that Android M will be distribute next week. It turns out that the site's leaked information is accurate, with Google confirming that the upcoming software will soon be seeded to current-generation Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player.
The new Marshmallow operating system will deliver a more stable and smoother experience with several small tweaks throughout the user interface. Some of the new features it will bring include the contextual "Now on Tap" which allows users to ask Google Now questions based on what is displayed on the screen.
A new Chrome feature that will improve Web experience for Android users as well as new ways to handle Web links will also be integrated. Support for fingerprint scanners and the company's own Android Pay mobile payment system will be carried over, too.
To help conserve battery like, a new feature called Doze will be introduced which functions by disabling programs or applications that do not need to be running in the background. The latest Android version also supports the new USB Type-C standard.
Another significant feature is an overhauled app permissions system which will provide more control to users over what type of data they want their applications to have access to. The Marshmallow OS will allow them to approve or deny access to various functions like camera or location. It will also be set on a case-by-case basis, similar to how iOS has been handling app permissions.
As expected, Google has also launched the much awaited Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P during its Tuesday event. They are first two handsets to offer the Android 6.0 by default. The slightly larger Nexus 6P is Google's first all-metal-body Nexus phone built in partnership with Huawei. It has 5.7-inch display powered by a 64-bit processor and features 12.3 MP primary camera.
Its smaller sibling, the Nexus 5x, is built in collaboration with LG and sports almost the same specifications but comes with a 5.2-inch display. Another new device that is set to offer Android M is the Pixel C tablet. It is said to be the first Android tablet built entirely by Google without partnering with any manufacturer.
When it comes to other devices from non-Google branded devices, Android 6.0 Marshmallow can be expected to come shortly after the Nexus 5X and 6P as manufacturers will reveal their own roll out dates separately. Furthermore, the list of devices mentioned above notably excludes other members of the Nexus family such as the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (first-gen), and the Nexus 10 tablet.
