Android 6.0 Marshmallow: all the key features explained

Android Marshmallow isn't an overhaul of everything you thought you knew about Android. Rather, it's a refinement and extension of the core features and functionality of Android Lollipop. In this Android Marshmallow review, I take a look at the major features of Google's latest OS version to let you know where it hits, where it misses, and where it has room to improve.



The number of devices on Marshmallow is slowly beginning to stack up. / © Google
Update: Google surprised everyone on March 9 by dropping the Android N developer preview without any prior notice. Then, on May 18, 2016, a beta build was released following the Google I/O keynote. You can sign up to Google's Android Beta Program, if you have an eligible device, and you can download factory images directly from Google. Find out the full story on our Android N page.
I know that not everyone even has Android Lollipop yet, so I won't just concentrate on the differences between the two most recent versions of Android. Instead I'll look at the major areas of the new OS, whether they are new, improved or missing in action. I'll break the review down into the following sections: the visual appearance of Android Marshmallow; integration of new Google products; core features of the system; security; and improvements to usability.
We've added some features that saw light with the update to Android 6.0.1, including a host of new emoji and a double-tap camera quick-launch feature that has been added to Nexus 5, 6, 7 and 9 devices. Find out more about these below under 'Design and visual changes' and 'Usability', respectively.
You can also keep up to date with the latest additions to Marshmallow through our dedicated page:

• Android Marshmallow: features and patches

Android Marshmallow is more of a refinement than a revolution. / © TECHNEWZ