Skip to main content

Who wants a s’more? Google finally reveals the name of Android M

google marshmallow statue 02
Geoff Mendal
The cat is out of the bag, folks. Google went ahead and officially announced the next major version of Android as Marshmallow. Of course, a new version of Android isn’t complete without a statue, and Google has complied with the unveiling of our lovable bugdroid holding a marshmallow at the Google Campus.

Google released the official Android 6.0 SDK along with the final Developer Preview update. Now, Android developers can publish apps that target the new API 23 in Android Marshmallow.

Android_Marshmallow_BugDroid_01A
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The final Android 6.0 SDK is available for download through the SDK Manager in Android Studio. The SDK gives access to the final Android APIs, which means developers can add new features like app permissions, the ability to auto-backup app data, and enable fingerprints instead of passwords.

Recommended Videos

Developers are encouraged to make sure their apps work well with Android Marshmallow and older versions by using Google Play’s new beta testing feature.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Google kept us in suspense last year, and Android L wasn’t announced as Lollipop until October. It appears that Google is trying to give manufacturers a leg up in getting their updates ready for a fall release this time around. Traditionally, Google doesn’t start pushing the over-the-air updates to Nexus devices until October or November. According to Google’s blog post, the final over-the-air update is on track for the same fall release.

Since the SDK was released earlier this year, we can only hope that more Android manufacturers will have updates ready at the same time. Motorola has a history of getting updates out quickly to its phones, so hopefully the likes of Samsung, LG, and HTC will follow suit.

The Android Marshmallow Sculpture + Android’s Tasty Naming Tradition - #NatAndLo Ep 5

Owners of the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 9 can download and install the latest Developer Preview system image now. Google is reiterating that althrough the Android 6.0 SDK is final, the device system images aren’t.

For instructions on installing the latest Developer Preview system image on your Nexus device, check out our very extensive guide.

We know that Google had a lot of choices for M, but we’re quite pleased with Marshmallow, since our readers overwhelming voted for it in our survey. Could white Nexus phones be all the rage this fall?

Robert Nazarian
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Robert Nazarian became a technology enthusiast when his parents bought him a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color. Now his biggest…
With optimized apps, Android tablets will finally be more than big phones
Side view of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+.

Android tablets have long languished behind the most successful product in the segment - the iPad. One of the most prominent reasons why Android tablets don't stand a chance against iPads is because of the bad app optimization and UI elements. The devices are mostly blown-up versions of Android phones. But not anymore. Google is rethinking the UI and adding new features that will make Android tablets more competitive with their Apple counterpart.

The Android tablet segment is reaching 270 million active users and it's about time Google introduced new UI elements to its operating system. Android tablets will now allow you to see more at a glance with dual columns in the notification panel – a feature that was present in my Dell Venue 8 tablet back in 2014. But it will be more refined with refreshing elements.

Read more
Google adds more iMessage features to Android’s Messages app
Google Pixel 6 Pro wallpaper.

Google is upgrading Android's default messages app with support for iMessage reactions and enhanced media sharing as it tries to lure over customers from Apple's iPhones over to Pixels and other Android phones. The new updates are rolling out this week to the U.S. and some worldwide countries.

The biggest change Google is bringing here is support for iMessage reactions, or tapbacks. While Google supports reactions between Android phones, and iPhones support reactions between iPhones, this is the first time both are being cross-compatible -- kind of. iPhone users will now have their tapbacks converted to emoji on Android phones, but Android users will still remain unable to send reactions to iPhones. This does mean an end to "Laughed at," style messages, for Android users at least.

Read more
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Side of the Google Pixel 6 Pro.

It seems Google is tired of having a reputation for producing only midrange phones with great cameras. At least, this is the impression created by the recently released Google Pixel 6 Pro, a flagship smartphone that takes everything great about previous Pixels and adds a range of premium features. These include the powerful Google Tensor processor, a generous 5,003mAh battery, a new triple-lens rear camera setup, and an impressively vibrant 6.71-inch AMOLED display.

Combined with the same great software experience, the Pixel 6 Pro is a decidedly competitive smartphone. Of course, it has competitors, with its main Android rival being the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. This flagship phone improves on its predecessors in several key areas, offering an appealing new design, a jaw-dropping screen, and a very effective camera.

Read more