Google releases Android 6.0 Marshmallow for Nexus devices
Google on Monday provided factory images of Android 6.0 software for certain Nexus devices. When introducing the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P last Tuesday, the company said to expect the software availability this week.
Owners of the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 from 2013, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player can all download and install the final version of the software to their devices from the official Nexus factory images site.
I have a Nexus 6 but haven't installed the developer preview of Android 6.0 Marshmallow on it yet, so rather than wait for Google to push the upgrade to my phone, I'll manually install it.
While we've previously covered all of the new features in Android 6.0, Google has detailed information available on it's Android Developer site, explaining functions such as Doze (to save battery life), runtime permissions, app standby, fingerprint and payment APIs and assist features.
Google is also introducing Google Now on Tap with Android 6.0, a way for the software to use deep app linking to surface appropriate apps at the right place and time. And in an effort to help enterprises better understand what Android 6.0 brings to the workplace, registration is now open for a November 4, Android for Work live event.
While this is good news for those who own older Nexus devices -- the new Nexus 5X and 6P have Android 6.0 pre-installed -- it's now a waiting game for people that own phones or tablets made by Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC and others.
These Android partners have to integrate their own software and hardware-specific changes to their code and, in most cases, work with carriers to push the software out.