Category: Android Marshmallow

If you have been on any Android centric website then undoubtedly you have seen the Android Marshmallow (or previously the Android Lollipop) icon wallpaper.  This is where you have the Marshmallow logo laid over your current wallpaper on your Android device.  If you have ever wondered how that icon is found, it’s actually easy and it is in every Android device.  The even better news is that it is quite literally only a few taps away on your device.

While a lot of announcements around Android Marshmallow has been from a manufacture perspective, for those who are locked in to particular carriers the bigger question is if that carrier will provide (translate: allow) the update to hit the devices on their network.  For their part at least, T-Mobile is address this for their customers.  Today they have updated their Software Tracking Page that allows you to see at what phase of testing and deployment the Android Marshmallow update is coming to their devices.

This list is includes devices that have already had the update ready and are rolling out, most notably the Nexus devices, while other devices like the HTC One M9 state that “T-Mobile and the manufacture have agreed to support a new software update”

Google has released an update to the Google Play Movies & TV app that, amongst many changes, brings Android Marshmallow support to the app.  The update is version 3.9.20 for those keeping score at home and it is available for both Android phones and tablets.  Given that Android Marshmallow is starting to roll out today, it is a good idea to get this update so you can assure compatibility.  Note that if you already have Google Play Movies & TV installed you should get the update via an OTA over the next couple of days.

As the name suggests for those who aren’t familiar with it, Google Play Movies & TV is the app that allows you to purchase, download and stream movies and televisions shows from the Google library.  Once you make a purchase through the app or the Google Play Store, you can download it to your devices for offline viewing or you can simply stream it on your device.  The app is also Chromecast compatible and works great with the Chromecast 2015 device (You can read my review of it here).

Google Play Movies & TV – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

With Android Marshmallow expected to be released Over-the-Air (OTA) tomorrow, Google is already paving the way for that to happen.  They have just posted the Factory Images of Android Marshmallow for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9 and Nexus Player on the Android developer website for those of you who have been running the preview of Marshmallow or want to root your device and install it today instead of waiting for the OTA.

Unless you know what you are doing, I strongly advise waiting to get the OTA instead of doing the Factory Image install but the instructions for doing it are on the site.

Android Marshmallow represents the 6th major update to the Android platform and while some have argued that it is not worthy of a full “dot-zero” version number, when you see the list of things that Google has added or addressed in v6.0, it starts to make sense. Android Marshmallow is certainly not revolutionary. It is an evolution of Android Lollipop, bringing with it a laundry list of improvements, enhancements and features that will make it a worthy competitor to iOS 9 from Apple and a worthy upgrade for users.

For the sake of saving you having to read 10,000 plus words, I’m not going to go over every single new features that is in Marshmallow. Rather, I’m going to focus on the key features that are likely to impact the most users or are going to have the greatest impact long term on the life of this version of Android. Likewise, I’m not going to try to answer the question of if your particular device will receive Android Marshmallow. I’ll give some guidance but it is nothing more than that. I, in other words, don’t know the answer on if your phone or tablet will see it.

Note that this review has been based on testing and usage of the Developer Preview 3 on a Nexus 6.

Earlier this week I posted a Public Service Announcement to remind everyone to keep their eyes open for updates to their favorite apps as Google and other developers prepare for the release of Android Marshmallow next Tuesday.  It seems now that is happening in earnest and Google Messenger is the first app I’ve found in my updates that explicitly calls out Marshmallow support.  The update is version 1.5 for those of you keeping score at home and it is available now in the Google Play Store.  If you already have Google Messenger installed on your Android phone, it make take a day or two to hit your account.

For those not familiar with it, Google Messenger is the SMS/MMS app from Google that came standard as part of Lollipop but is now a stand alone app.  You can read my review of it here.

Google Messenger for Android – Free – Download Now