Android Marshmallow release date, news and features

Android M, now Android Marshmallow, is out now

• Update: Android Marshmallow is out now! Select Nexus device owners can nab the update over the air. We'll keep an eye on the OS' rollout to non-Nexus phones and tablets, so stay tuned for more.

Android Marshmallow is the official name of Google's next operating system update. Expect it at the end of the month.
The sugar rush is on at Google in preparation for the Android Marshmallow release date in a few days. Now that we know the sweet-treat name, we're one step closer to downloading it.
Say goodbye to Android 5.0 Lollipop and, soon, hello to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the latest mobile platform from Google. Expect thousands of bugs to have been squashed and a new layer of polish.
We tested the Android Marshmallow beta at Google IO 2015 in San Francisco, and while it remained an incremental update, we're still stocking up on all the meaningful news and latest features.

• Android Marshmallow vs Android Lollipop: 6 things Marshmallow does better

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The successor to Android Lollipop
• When is it out? Confirmed September 29 launch event
• What will it cost? As with all Android upgrades it's free

Android Marshmallow release date

 

Bad news folks, you won't be able to get your hands on Android Marshmallow straight away - unless you're a developer. If you're a beta tester, you're already playing with Android 6.0 Developer Preview.

Good news, everyone else. Google has invited us to a "s'more" filled press conference on September 29 where we're promised "hands-on time." Ready for Nexus devices for this incoming update.

The company is likely to also launch the Nexus 5 2015 and Nexus 6 2015 phones at this event, so it'll be a high-profile, Android-filled unveiling in San Francisco.

• Android Marshmallow release date: when can I get it?

Android Marshmallow / Android 6 name

Android Marshmallow is official name of the next update, ending speculation that it might be called muffin, milkshake or, less appealingly, malt ball.
Internally, it's been previously dubbed Macadamia Nut Cookie and publicly teased as "Android M." But now a marshmallow-carrying Android statue on Google's campus. confirms the big switch.

• Here's what the TechRadar team want it to be called

The Marshmallow version number is Android 6.0, according to Google's developer software documents. It's making the full leap from last year's Android 5.0 update, despite small changes being made.

Android Marshmallow developer preview

As mentioned, developers were able to get their grubby mitts on a Android Marshmallow preview from May 28, with support for the Nexus 5 2013, Nexus 6 2014, the Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus Player.
Some may be disappointed to see a lack of love for the smaller Nexus 7 slate - so fingers crossed Google pushes out the final software to it later this year.
Meanwhile at the end of June, Sony became the first hardware maker to offer the Android Marshmallow developer preview for non-Nexus models.
According to Sony, the following smartphones and tablets will be able to download the Android M developer preview: Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia E3, Xperia M2, Xperia T2 Ultra and the Xperia T3.
This list gives us a pretty good idea of what handsets will be upgraded to the final version of Android Marshmallow once it releases. The new Sony Xperia Z3+ is noticeable by its absence, but we're pretty certain that it will get the update as well.

Android Pay

Android Pay just launched, and so it's technically available without Android Marshmallow, since it'll be supported on devices with NFC running Android KitKat and above.
That said, the Google's refreshed digital wallet service will be made better by Android 6.0. The software pushes fingerprint sensor functionality for the first time, just in time for new Nexus phones.
Android Pay means there's no need to open an app to make a payment, all you'll need to do unlock and place your handset on a compatible contactless payment terminal.
For those rocking Android Marshmallow on their device, you'll also be able to use Android Pay within third-party applications for simple purchases which don't require you to enter all your details every time.

• Find out more about Android Pay

Android Marshmallow fingerprint support

We've seen some smartphone manufacturers already include fingerprint scanners in their devices, but with Android Marshmallow Google is looking to make the support standardized across the whole platform.
As well as allowing you to unlock your device and pay for media from the Google Play Store the fingerprint scanning tech is also open to developers.
That means devs can build it into their own applications, allowing you to sign into them without the need for a password, as well as pay for goods using Android Pay.

Android Marshmallow voice controls

Android Marshmallow looks like it is getting even better voice control thanks to the new Voice Interaction API, which will allow app developers to build voice control directly into their apps.
This means that owners of Android Marshmallow devices will be able to speak to their apps - and the apps will even talk back!
One of the examples Google has detailed s with the TuneIn app, which now uses the API. A user can say "OK Google, listen to music on TuneIn", and the TuneIn app will not only load, but will then ask out loud "What genre of music would you like to listen to?".
The user can then reply with their favourite genre. This natural way of speaking to your smartphone and the apps installed could revolutionise the way we interact with our smartphones.
To demonstrate the potential of Voice Interaction API, Google has released a video, which can be viewed below.

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