At first glance, the new global update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow has no visible changes. The Material Design concept has been fully preserved, and the distinctive features lie in the details. We have collected the most important innovations, which we invite you to familiarize yourself with.

Fingerprint support

Devices with fingerprint scanners have been actively sold for several years. Previously, software for this had to be developed from scratch, and the company’s budget directly affected the quality of implementation. Google engineers have added the technology to the system, and developers will receive the necessary tools, which will speed up and simplify the implementation of a fingerprint scanner in applications.

New Doze energy saving technology

Doze technology aims to extend battery life on a single charge. When the device is stationary, deep sleep mode is activated. At this moment, the background activity of applications is turned off, but notifications, calls and alarms are still received. The system uses motion sensors to calculate the “resting state”.

USB Type-C support

The introduction of the new USB standard into the firmware will bring a number of additional features:

1. Advanced charging mode with a current of 1.5 and 3 A at a voltage of 5 V, which will increase the charging speed of the device.
2. It will be possible to charge other smartphones, tablets and accessories. This is especially useful for devices with a battery capacity of 4000 mAh or more.
3. Connecting a MIDI keyboard, which will expand the multimedia capabilities of Android.

Changing application permissions

During the installation of applications, it was necessary to confirm the requested rights without exception, even if access to some items was in doubt; in case of refusal, the installation was canceled. Owners of gadgets running MIUI firmware or with superuser rights (ROOT) disabled permissions using built-in or third-party software, and Android M users can now do the same.

Enhanced Factory Reset Protection

Google has made it impossible to use the device in the event of an emergency data wipe, unless after downloading you enter the account information that was before the reset. Read more about this in the separate article “Factory Reset Protection - a new security system in Android 6.0.”

Arrangement of clipboard elements

Previously, cut, copy, paste actions were displayed at the top of the screen, now directly above the selected piece of text.

Integration of the Chrome browser with other programs

If there are links in the application, Chrome will automatically load them, after which opening the page will be instantaneous.

Menu and application search

Scrolling in the application menu is now vertical instead of horizontal. Sorting by alphabet, and for orientation, an enlarged letter is displayed on the edge; grouping by folders is not yet available. An application search appeared at the top, and below it were shortcuts to four frequently used utilities.

Backing up information

Another function borrowed from MIUI is backing up information to the cloud. Now users will save Wi-Fi network passwords, call logs, as well as applications with settings saved to Google Drive. The process is automatic, and the backup copy will not take up disk space, but large files and those prohibited by the developers will not be saved.

Multi-window support

The technology is still in development and will not appear in the client version, with the exception of some models of smartphones and tablets. But the very fact that multi-window development has begun gives hope that functionality and stability will increase in Android N or O. At this stage, the Google option displays up to 4 applications on the screen, for which the screen is divided into equal parts, without the ability to resize. Perhaps electronics manufacturers will pick up the idea and implement it in their own design.

Android Pay

The new payment system will allow you to link a bank card and make contactless purchases using a smartphone. No confidential information will be transmitted during payment, and for reliability, the system is linked to a fingerprint scanner. Google promised to operate 700,000 payment points, the bulk of which are located in the United States. Android Pay will work on devices with Android 4.4 KitKat installed and equipped with an NFC chip.

Quick Launch Shortcut Editor

System UI Tuner is a new tool for choosing quick launch shortcuts in the status bar. Customize the position, icons for accessing functions, and the remaining charge level in percentage.

Adoptable storage

8 or 16 GB of internal space limits the installation of games and programs, or downloading a “large” number of files into the device’s memory. Android M has added “Adoptable storage” technology, which will make MicroSD part of the system partition. But since the difference in the speed of information exchange between internal and external memory is 10 times different, the performance level will decrease.

Other

The new operating system also received a number of “minor” changes:

1. An item has appeared that analyzes RAM consumption by applications, with a detailed description of memory usage for 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours.
2. The design of the battery consumption display has changed, and energy saving and battery saving modes have appeared.
3. In wireless Wi-Fi router mode, Internet distribution is available in the 5 GHz frequency.
4. Native support for 2 mobile operator cards.
5. Choice of design colors: white and black.
6. New animation effects will appear.
7. Separate volume controls for ringer, notifications and alarm.
8. Send a message when dialing a number.
9. Selecting applications that open links from a browser, social network client, etc.
10. Set text for the lock screen to serve as a reminder or information.

Conclusion

In Android M, users have more control over applications and more system settings, without the need to use ROOT or third-party software. We can only hope that manufacturers will pick up the innovations embedded in the OS and implement them in new or existing devices.

Marshmallow interface

Material Design presented at Google I/O 2014 is also present in the new Android; of course, there are no special changes. Google has added a very interesting feature of changing the settings menu theme to dark. Unfortunately, this is not in the release. Another significant change is the application menu. It's still white, but the programs now scroll down and are sorted alphabetically. Not to say that this is the right decision, but you can get used to it. The four most used apps are always displayed at the top.

Loxrin has also changed a little. Previously, you could quickly get to the dialer or camera, now there is voice search and the same camera. This fact confirms that Google focused specifically on Google Now, but more on that later. To be honest, I really miss quick access to “Phone”, since you don’t use voice search often, but you have to make calls all the time.

By the way, the dialer has been slightly redesigned; now the call history is displayed in the style of cards. The window for adding a contact has also changed slightly in design. The settings have become much more convenient than on Android Lollipop.

There are several minor innovations in Marshmallow that make using the device easier. For example, a flexible “Do not disturb” mode has appeared in the notification shade.

The application menu in the settings looks slightly different - the horizontal tabs have been removed, but by clicking on the settings icon at the top, you can access additional functions: “Default applications”, “Links”, “Permissions” and others.

In the “Memory” item you can now see which program, for what period of time and how much memory was used.

Finally, Google made a normal data backup - not just restoring programs from the Play Market, but a complete restoration of the device with all its data and settings.

The “Battery” item hasn’t changed much, but fans will definitely like that the amount of mAh consumed by each process is displayed here. Previously, such functionality could only be achieved using .

It's 2015, and Google has finally introduced battery percentage display in the status bar. However, for now this is only available through the developer settings. To enable them, you need to tap on the build number several times, after which the “For Developers” item will appear in the settings, where you need to activate. This mode can also be activated by long pressing the settings icon in the notification shade.

In addition to displaying percentages, here you can configure the status bar, the notification shade, and enable demo mode, which is very convenient for taking screenshots.

Overall, Android 6.0 Marshmallow's interface has changed for the better, and the minor cosmetic changes are a step in the right direction. You will have to get used to some innovations, but the impressions from the appearance so far are only positive.

An unexpected feature was the built-in file manager, which can be opened in the “Storage and USB” item using the “Open” button.

The star of the show was the Google Now service, which has become wiser and acquired the Now On Tap function. The idea is that when you press the Home button, the system tries to find places, artists, people, music or movies in the application you are using and opens the information. On paper it’s not at all impressive, but in real life it’s really useful and convenient.

For example, if someone sent you a place in Hangouts, you can immediately open information about it, or if it’s a cafe or restaurant, book a table. It can work not only with Google Maps, but also with YouTube, Google Play Music, etc. Keep in mind that Now On Tap is not magic, so you can't get information on absolutely everything on the screen. The more programs installed on the device, the better Now On Tap works.

For residents of Russian-speaking countries, there is unpleasant news - the function does not work in Russian, so you will have to switch the system language to English.

A similar feature has been available on iOS for a long time, but with the release of Marshmallow it migrated to Android. The idea is very simple - the user decides which applications have access to what. Moreover, immediately upon first launch, the system asks what data to provide access to. You can change your decision at any time, as noted above.

Android 6.0 officially released with API Level 23, which makes it possible to customize app permissions. All programs on the device must be updated to support this feature.

Not many people know that Android 5 Lollipop introduced an in-app locking feature. Now it has been finished off a little. The point is that when you enable this function, the system pins the application on the screen, and you cannot simply exit it. Very useful for when someone takes your phone.

First you need to activate the function in the settings.

After this, the “Attach” icon will appear in the multitasking menu.

To exit, you must simultaneously press the “Back” and “Review” buttons.

In this mode, only the pinned application is available. It is impossible to even open the notification shade.

Performance and autonomy

At the Google I/O 2015 conference, the company introduced a very interesting mode - Android Doze, which helps save battery power when the device is in standby mode.

Another feature - App Standby - also allows you to save battery when the device is not in use. This mode can be configured through the application menu. The user himself chooses which programs should work “to the fullest” and which ones should save power.

Google stated that Android 6.0 will save up to 30% of battery charge, and the lifespan of the Nexus 5 will almost double. To be honest, you don't really notice the difference.

As for performance, this is where the gadget really comes to life. During the entire period of use there was not a single bug, switching between applications is carried out without delay, the system itself works flawlessly. This may be due to improvements to the ART runtime.

At the Google I/O 2015 developer conference held at the end of May, a new version of Android was announced, and on October 5, the final version of the system was released for the first gadgets, including Nexus 9, Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 6, Nexus 5, as well as the Nexus Player media center. In this material, we have prepared for you a description of all the new Android 6.0 Marshmallow products, a review of which will certainly be of interest to those who plan to switch to a new operating system in the next six months (of course, when updates to official or custom firmware for the most popular hardware devices are released).

Interface

The first change that's immediately apparent when you first boot up the system is the phone's updated boot animation, which features the Mountain View-based company's updated logo.

As for the initial setup of the smartphone, everything remains the same as in .

Before we start getting acquainted with the visual component, we need to clarify one nuance. The same Google Now application, which was part of the interface model of previous versions of Android, is used as a shell. A reasonable question may arise: why should I update to 6.0, if on my phone with an already old system I have the same interface as on new products. As has happened before, in Marshmallow all the innovations are hidden “under the hood”, that is, not visible at first glance. This is exactly what will be discussed in this material.

The first noticeable innovation is the unlock screen. Here the purpose of the keys has changed (for example, when you press the lower left icon, “Google Start” is launched, whereas in the previous version the “dialer” was called up). Moreover, from now on you need to drag icons directly from the very corner, which at first glance is not very convenient.

No changes were made to the desktop. A colored microphone and an updated logo of the developer company appeared along with the updated Google Now build. What is really worth noting is that you can now delete applications directly from the desktop; before this you could only delete shortcuts.

Along with this feature, Google Start introduced a change in scroll orientation to the application menu. If in previous versions you could scroll through the list from right to left, now the combination is used from top to bottom and vice versa. A search field is always displayed at the top of the screen, below which are the four most frequently called programs. The order of placement of programs is simple - first there are applets starting with a number, and then all the rest in alphabetical order.

Searching for applets is lightning fast. This will certainly appeal to users who use a large number of games and applications on their phone. From now on, you no longer have to carefully search for the required program by scrolling through the list. You can only set the initial letters, and after a couple of moments you can already work with the application.

Certain changes have also been made to the animation of launching, minimizing, and switching between applications from the task manager. All animations work very smoothly and smoothly.

Google Now on Tap

The release of Android 6.0 was accompanied by a new feature called “Google Now on Tap”, which provides the ability to search within a specific program. By holding down the home button for a few seconds, the new mechanism will analyze the contents of the screen. You can search for data on an open web page, in mail, messages, Twitter, music player and other programs. It is worth noting that only data located in the active part of the display is subject to such analysis. The analysis procedure itself is incredibly fast.

How it works? For example, let’s use such a search at a time when a musical composition is playing in the smartphone’s player.

When you launch Google Now on Tap, you get a summary of the song in pictures, Google search, YouTube, and in addition to this, information about the artist on social networks and Youtube. Overall, working with this tool is quite convenient. The main disadvantage is the unavailability of this feature if Russian is specified as the main language in the smartphone settings. Let's hope that multilingual support will appear in the coming updates.

Application Permissions

In our Marshmallow review, we'll touch on a conceptual change in app permission management. If earlier, when installing the applet, the installer requested permission to access the calendar, SMS, contacts, multimedia files and other objects, now the installation goes smoothly and without unnecessary questions. Now requests for individual permissions appear when the user is already working with the corresponding applet, and at a certain point in time a requirement appears for access to a file, photo, microphone, GPS coordinates, etc. That is, if previously you had to accept all the conditions en masse when installing the program, now all this happens gradually and measuredly.

Storage and external media management

A new interesting item has appeared in the main settings table - “Storage and USB drive”. Using this menu, you can find out about the contents of external or internal storage (for example, a flash drive or microSD memory card connected using an OTG cable). Although this integrated file manager can only delete, move and share files, the very fact of its presence is undoubtedly pleasing.

Battery usage and battery saving

Quite profound changes have also been made to the battery usage mode. Now in energy consumption statistics you can see not only the battery life of the gadget, but also the actual indicators of energy consumption in mAh.

But that's not the main thing. The main innovation introduced back in the Developer Preview is the Doze saving mode. What is its use? Android apps can now be configured to save battery power when running. In the currently available version, almost all applets are configured so that the battery works with them economically (the only exception concerns Google Play services). The essence of the Doze function itself is to increase the battery life of the smartphone in stand-by mode. If previously the battery drained by 15-20% during the night, now for the representative of the fifth line of Nexus smartphones, 1-2% discharge in one night is enough for sleep mode. To achieve these results, there is no need to turn off Wi-Fi or use airplane mode. Real magic, isn't it?

Fingerprint scanner support

Android 6.0 firmware includes a special API that allows you to unify fingerprinting tools for authorization in programs. Now all that remains is to wait for new smartphone models to be equipped with the scanners themselves, since even the Google Nexus series phones, in which Marshmallow is only available, have not yet been supplied with fingerprint scanners. We expect the presence of such a hardware solution in future models.

USB Type-C support

The latest hardware version of the USB interface, called Type-C (or simply USB-C), is increasingly becoming fashionable. The main advantage of USB 3.1 over the previous modification 3.0 is twice the bandwidth. If the earlier version provided information transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s (625 Mb/s), the new interface allows you to increase it to 10 Gbit/s. In addition, this type of connection uses a completely new connector. In addition, following the specification of the standard, Type-C uses a current of 1.5 and 3.0 A, while the voltage is 5 V. As a result, this gives a significant increase in the charging speed of the gadget.

An additional bonus of the new interface is the ability to charge tablets, smartphones and phones from one another, which is useful when camping, on the road and in other situations where there is no access to another outlet.

Let's sum it up

In fact, in Marshmallow, which we reviewed with an emphasis on global and noticeable innovations, massive work was done on bugs. Although there are virtually no external changes, you can see that Lollipop's code optimizations have made many tools run smoother and much faster. Autonomy has increased significantly, especially in stand-by mode. New goodies are encouraging, such as Google Now on Tap, a function for fine-tuning applet permissions, and a storage manager. In the next minor builds, you can expect a multi-window mode both on tablets and, probably, on smartphones, as well as support for Android Pay technology for contactless payments.

Photo material for the article: / applepack.ru / itc.ua / xdrv.ru / gottabemobile.com

The operating system plays a critical role in the functionality of a mobile device. Even many technical properties of tablets and smartphones depend on it. If there are several current firmware versions, users, of course, have a question: which is better than Android 5.1 or 6.0 and which version should they prefer? Each of them has strengths and weaknesses, which we will still try to objectively understand. Having considered all the main advantages and disadvantages of the presented OS versions, you can easily decide for yourself which version of Android is better than Lollipop or Marshmallow and whether it is worth overpaying for a device equipped with a brand new operating system.

Main differences

You can find out which version of Android is better, 5.1 or 6.0, only by comparing the main features of the systems in which they differ from each other.

In the newest Android, the main menu with applications has been completely redesigned and search has been added. Users now have the opportunity to closely monitor which programs use RAM more actively than others. By pressing the volume rocker, you can adjust the sound of all signals (alarms, notifications, calls) at once or activate the Do Not Disturb mode. You can call the assistant in any application, or even while in the device settings. It not only responds to voice requests, but also scans information on the screen. There is also a built-in fingerprint scanner, increasing security. An important innovation for users was the appearance of a battery optimization mode, which significantly increases battery life.

Android 5.1

This version of the firmware is distinguished by the correction of a large number of errors inherent in Android 5.0 and systems of previous generations. However, we are most interested in how Android 5.1 differs from 6.0, what new and interesting features can this platform offer?

Functional

In Android 5, support for multiple SIM cards appeared. The sound quality during voice calls has significantly improved thanks to HD Voice technology, although in this case some nuances must be taken into account (support of the technology by telecom operators, the need to install Lollipop on both devices).
To quickly adjust the alarm volume, just use the volume rocker directly in the application.
New sound settings are also available in music listening mode. If you press the volume rocker when the player is on, a new menu appears with settings for calls, notifications, etc.

Safety

One cannot ignore the new service running in Android 5.1, created to improve security - Device Protection. Its purpose is to protect the device from the actions of intruders. Even resetting to factory settings and other manipulations are not able to break through this protection.
You can also prevent third parties from using your gadget too actively by limiting access to its functionality. To do this, you can specify the available applications.

Interface

It is worth noting the improvements in the interface. Users can enjoy carefully crafted, smooth animations while unlocking the device. At the same time, for each type of blocking (with protection in the form of a PIN code, without protection, etc.) its own animation was invented.
The changes also affected the “curtains” – the quick access panel. In this version, from here you can quickly go to numerous settings, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and others. The contents of the curtain in Android 5.1 can be changed at your discretion, but this function is not fully implemented, so only some shortcuts are removed.
You don't have to delete notifications that appear at the top of the screen; you can simply hide them by swiping up from the bottom. The Clock application has also received new animation options - small icons have acquired an interesting design.

Performance, autonomy

The modernization of Android 5.1 has led to the fact that gadgets began to work much more productively. This is felt both when using them and is reflected in the results of benchmarks (performance tests).
The battery life of the devices remains unchanged compared to previous versions of Android.

Advantages:

• correction of errors inherent in previous versions;
• productivity increase;
• adding support for 2 SIM cards;
• improving the quality of voice calls;
• launching the Device Protection service;
• improved interface;
• adding new functions to the quick access panel, as well as the ability to change some shortcuts;
• change animation for some applications;
• lock function in the application;
• redesign of menu icons.

Flaws:

• inability to fully customize the “curtain” to suit your requirements;
• no changes in terms of device autonomy;
• some problems remained unfixed.

Android 6.0

With a detailed review of Android 6.0, we can look at the main features offered to users in this version, and also find out if there are any shortcomings left.

Functionality and safety

The range of functions of Android 6.0 now includes the ability to manage RAM. There is a whole section dedicated to RAM in the settings, where you can check which processes are using RAM, and also find out which programs are consuming the most memory over a certain period of time (from 3 to 24 hours).

To adjust the volume of not only incoming calls, but also other signals, you can now make all the settings by pressing one button - the volume rocker. At the same time, the usual slider appears, and next to it an arrow. If you click on it, two more sliders will appear to set the alarm and media volume.

An interesting feature of Android 6.0 before 5.1 was the fingerprint scanner, which previously appeared only in the functionality of certain smartphone models. The work of the Google Now smart assistant has been improved - to launch the assistant, just say the phrase “OK, Google”.

Interface

The main menu with applications has been implemented much more conveniently. Now they are all located on one, but “long” screen, which can be scrolled up and down. But, as before, it is impossible to combine icons into folders. In addition, in Android 6.0 you can use the application search so as not to manually search for the desired program. The system also shows the four most important applications for the user based on frequency of use. The design of the clock on the main screen has changed slightly. Below the numbers are the day of the week and date in bold capital letters. It is now possible to create small notes that will be displayed on the lock screen. The text is placed slightly below the time and date.

Autonomy

What makes Android 6.0 better than 5.1 is the optimization of the battery life of a mobile device. The functionality of Android 6.0 now includes a section reserved for the battery and various manipulations with it. Here you can see how actively applications consume battery power, in particular when they are running in the background and are not used by the user. A number of programs can be closed to extend the autonomy of the gadget.

Advantages:

• battery optimized;
• added RAM management function;
• more convenient volume control;
• a fingerprint scanner appeared;
• personal assistant has been modernized;
• the ability to configure permissions for each application;
• a built-in file manager appeared;
• main menu changed.

Flaws:

• Wi-Fi is more active in draining battery power;
• Economy mode is activated when the charge level drops to 20%.

Conclusion

A review of the main features of the two versions of the popular Android system has been carried out; all you have to do is decide whether Android 6.0 or 5.1 is better for you, and whether it’s worth buying a brand new gadget with an improved OS. Considering that the new version of the firmware has acquired many new advantages, while retaining all the advantages of the fifth generation, it can be called more interesting and functional. In addition, the sixth Android update is considered to be an effective fix for many bugs that were encountered in previous versions, and will really be of interest to fans of new products.

In September 2015, Google released a new version of Android on the market under serial number 6. The system immediately became available for updating Nexus smartphones, and a little later it became available for smartphones of other brands. It should be noted right away that not all devices can receive an update to this version and this depends directly on the manufacturer. The new version of the OS received many innovations, some of which improved performance, some did not, and others turned out to be not new and not very useful at all.

Changes

First of all, the changes affected application menu. Now all applications are collected in one place, and scrolling occurs up and down, rather than by flipping pages to the sides. Applications still cannot be grouped into folders or placed at the user's discretion. All software is located in alphabetical order, and the system is automatically able to identify the most frequently used applications and place them in the top row. There can be four such applications. For the convenience of searching, a special search has been introduced, which finds what you are looking for using the first characters, and if it is missing, it is automatically sent to the Google Play Market.

To check the load on RAM, you no longer have to install third-party applications, because there is now a function for viewing and managing its operation. The user can find ineffective applications without third-party programs and remove them or simply stop them from working. In addition, it became possible to view statistics for the last 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours in order to also draw conclusions.

In Android 6, the ability to control alert modes has returned, namely, a function has appeared that users often complained about the absence of in the previous version. In addition, you can further expand content volume control, alarm clock and other functions.

The lock screen had a clock and date. The date is located under the clock. Under it, the user can create reminders and notes. The font is much smaller than the date font, so it doesn't distract attention, but it doesn't get lost either.

Android 6 came with built-in fingerprint recognition, a feature previously only provided by manufacturers. You can still use your fingerprint to unlock your phone, access applications, and pay for purchases.

In addition, a whole battery control point was added and a special economy mode. It should be noted that battery life under the new OS has increased significantly.

The launch of the voice assistant has changed. Now the phone anywhere responds to the phrase “OK, Google” and launches the search engine. For those who are opposed to talking with a smartphone, the ability to launch it by long pressing the “Home” button has been added; the phone itself opens a page on the Internet related to the content displayed on the screen.

Application access to certain functions is now carried out for each separately, after which the user can optionally disable this or that permission.

The new system also began to support the connector USB 3.1 or TypeC, it speeds up data transfer and battery charging.

The latest innovation is the function Doze, which disables most unused applications when the phone is in sleep mode, which is designed to almost double the battery life.

Advantages

In general, the new version of Android is not something outstanding, and those who happened to use the previous version note that the main changes are not new and revolutionary. The overall impression is a pleasant and concise interface, fast operation, no errors, a large number of settings and add-ons, good protection against inexperienced users.

Android 6 is beautiful shell, which significantly improves the appearance of the phone, but for those who were waiting for something fundamentally new, it will not be a revelation, and this is perhaps the main disadvantage. All other shortcomings can be called such only with a stretch, because their presence is decided by the manufacturer himself.

Flaws

A large number of settings. An inexperienced user who wants to customize the phone as much as possible will find the number of settings too large and, perhaps, one can get confused in them. However, Google took a smart path and made only the most necessary settings for ordinary people; a special subsection was created for more experienced users, and true “gurus” can access secret settings.

The need to obtain permission for each node. This can be annoying when installing programs, because previously one consent was required for one application, but at the same time, this principle does not apply to all applications. Third-party programs can still be installed by giving consent only once.

The lack of global changes will disappoint only the most picky users, because there are changes, and they can be quite useful and interesting.

Conclusion

In general, the update turned out to be quite pleasant; new users, in the absence of the opportunity to compare, will probably like it, since everything here is convenient, clear and simple. The wishes of regular users were taken into account, which is also a definite plus. The performance of the entire system and battery has improved, which is also nice, because previously a day of operation for an Android smartphone was a good figure, but now this value can be increased.