Android’s Marshmallow update is now available for certain, but not all, devices. While it’s not a complete overhaul of their Lollipop operating system, there will be some exciting updates. Below are our favorite Android Marshmallow key features.
Android Marshmallow Key Features
New Apps Menu
The update to the apps menu makes it totally different than all previous versions of Android. Instead of flicking horizontally through pages of apps, you can now scroll through vertically. Also, a search bar has been added to the top of the apps menu, allowing you to search both for apps in your collection as well as other apps to download from Google Play.
Fingerprint Scanners Are Now Standard
While fingerprint scanners have been found in Android devices for years now, the software previously had to be installed by the manufacturer. Android Marshmallow comes with pre-installed software that supports the fingerprint scanning hardware.
“Ok Googling”
Google Now on Tap is no doubt the coolest of all the new Android Marshmallow key features. When your phone is on the home screen, you can say “Ok Google” to activate the Google Now assistant. If you don’t like talking to your phone, you can just give the Home button a long press, which will make the Google Now assistant scan whatever is open on your screen to find more relevant information from the internet. For example, if you open a Yelp review of a local restaurant and hold down the Home button, Google Now may take you right to that restaurant’s menu.
Doze
Among the most helpful Android Marshmallow key features is Doze, which helps to conserve battery life. Doze recognizes when an Android device is in a rested state and then puts it in standby mode to use fewer background services. You can allow alarms and incoming message notifications even when Doze is activated, this way you won’t miss anything important.
Android Marshmallow vs. iOS 9
There’s a never-ending debate as to whether Androids or iPhones are better. Really, it’s just a matter of personal preference, but we’ve decided to detail some differences between the two operating systems to help you make an informed decision as to which is best for you.
Google Now vs. Siri
You can find an explanation of the new updates to Google Now above, so we’ll keep this short. With iOS 9, Siri has the ability to make suggestions for apps to use and music to play based on your location and information in your texts, emails and more. Android devices have been making context-based suggestions for years now, so their updates that come with Google Now on Tap place Android’s assistant above Apple’s in our book.
Android Pay vs. Apple Pay
If you’re familiar with Google Wallet, Android Pay is not much different—it’s just rebranded. Android Pay and Apple Pay are largely the same thing: they allow you to add your credit or debit card information to your phone and then place it near a terminal at a store to make a payment. You can make an in-app purchase without reentering your card information. Neither company has changed an awful lot about these features on the operating systems themselves. They’ve just expanded the markets of Android Pay and Apple Pay by making them available at more locations.
Privacy Comparison
Android Marshmallow has made some important changes in app permission systems. Apps will request permission to access your data as they need it. They’ll no longer ask for all of your data at once. Apple’s iOS systems have had this feature for a while now, so, at this point we deem both devices to be rather secure.
We’re excited about all of the Android Marshmallow key features and how much easier they’ll make the lives of Android users. If you’re having trouble with your Android device, or any other device for that matter, feel free to contact TCI at support@tcitechs.com.
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