Android 6.0 Marshmallow Release Date, Features & Download: What's New, When & How to Get It

Android fans may start counting down now.

While Google recently announced that the Preview version for Android 6.0 Marshmallow developer Preview 3.0 is available for download, bigger anticipation holds for the final version set to be released at the end of Q3 2015, as reported by tech blog YouMobile.

Nexus devices are expected to be the first ones to have it though, according to mobile review site BGR. Flagship Samsung devices Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5 will have to wait for a little while as rumors say that the Korean manufacturer will be delivering the operating system (OS) early next  year.

Samsung has also yet to announce which products will be the first to have Android 6.0 Marshmallow but it's quite a giveaway that its flagship products will be included in the roster of products to be updated. YouMobile reports that Samsung will start preparing for the release of Android Marshmallow after it's done resolving Lollipop 5.1.1 updates for various devices that needs improvements on Guest Mode, Improved UI, Bug Fixes and so on.

A YouMobile insider also disclosed devices that will be getting the latest Android 6.0 update. As expected, the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Duos and Galaxy S6 Edge are on the list. The Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 4 Duos, Galaxy Alpha and Galaxy Tab A are also included.

Meanwhile, here the top 6 reasons why you should be psyched about Android 6.0 Marshmallow as reported by CNET. 

Android Pay

While Google Wallet is never quite as popular as a mode of transaction as Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, Google hopes to make Android Pay it's redemption. Through the mere use of your mobile device, you can make purchases on select stores with just the tap of your phone on an eligible card reader at a store and following prompts as it goes in order to complete the transaction.

Google Now on Tap

Google's digital personal assistant manifests itself through Google Now on Tap. For example, while texting a friend on a new hip place in town, you can look up business information such as an address, phone number and operating hours in just a tap of a button.

App permissions

Presently, just by downloading specific apps, you're giving it access to your personal contacts, information, photos, etc. However, with Marshmallow, that changes as users can decide if a certain app is allowed to access certain user information.

Fingerprint support

While this is certainly not a new feature, Google has included support for a fingerprint reader in Android Marshmallow giving us clues that future devices may have fingerprint scanners to unlock the screen or authorize payments or store passwords.

Doze mode

Doze is a new power-saving mode feature that will extend the battery life of your Android gadget. When your phone is on idle mode, it stops apps from unnecessarily waking up the device, thus making the battery not drain as quickly as it should.

Redesigned app drawer

The main menu where all of the apps installed on your device will have a new design in Marshmallow. Fascinatingly, it will now scroll up and down — a nod to the earlier Android versions.