The market for mobile products is structured in such a way that as new versions of Android OS are released, smartphone manufacturing companies introduce their support into their own, both recently released and already proven models. How it works? When purchasing a new mobile product, the basic version of the system installed by default is available on it. After some period of time, Google releases a new Android release. After six months or a little later, depending on the geographic region, when the new version becomes tested and stable, you can install it on your smart phone. As a result, you get a new, modern interface, support for new applications and more settings and customization. In this material we have compiled a detailed guide for you, how to update Android on your phone.
What is a software update on Android and why is it needed?
You need to be aware that as a result of updating or rolling back the operating system, all data stored on the phone will be irretrievably lost. Be sure to back up all the data you need (address book, notes, photos) to a reliable external storage device before taking any of the steps in this guide. This could be an external drive, a hard drive on a PC (as a last resort, a memory card, but not advisable).
One more nuance. Since updating the operating system will take some time (from 5 to 10 minutes, and sometimes more), be sure to charge the phone to 70-80% of the total battery capacity so that the update procedure is not interrupted due to problems with the phone’s battery.
Automatic Android update
The most affordable and least complicated way to update. Go to the options menu and select the “Phone Information” section. Here we go to the “Software Update” item. On your device, this section may be located somewhere else, so you may have to go through the settings.
Now tap on the “Update” button, having previously set the option to download updates only via Wi-Fi, so that the update does not “eat up” all your money from your account.
Option in the settings menu to automatically update the OS
When all the data from the manufacturer’s server has been downloaded, in the menu that appears, tap the “Install” button and wait until the device reboots.
Since in the manner described above you can only update your mobile device to a minor release build, you should also use a special utility from the manufacturer (for Samsung gadgets it’s Kies, for LG it’s PC Suite, etc.) or update “over the air” (most of companies that produce smartphones or tablets have such a proprietary feature).
Latest Android update, if it is already available on the server, you can download it to your device at any time using just such a program.
Manually updating Android firmware
Almost all service centers use this method, but we can easily update ourselves, using only available means. The Odin system application is used for updating. You can download it on many web resources (for example, on the same w3bsit3-dns.com). Using this technique, you can only install a new version of the official firmware, but not a custom one.
1. download the Odin program. We need version 1.83 (or later) - it is very popular among technicians and is suitable for the vast majority of products
2. find and download an archive on the Internet with the firmware we need. After extracting the contents from the archive (you will need it first), you should have 3 files on hand: PIT, PDA and CSC
3. connect the smartphone to the PC. It is critical that the phone is detected correctly in Windows
4. launch Odin. If the device connection was successful, the port name in the program will light up in yellow in the corresponding field
Indication of successful connection of the device to the PC for updating in Odin
5. turn off the mobile device and switch it to Download Mode by pressing the home, power and volume down keys at the same time
6. Confirm activation of Download Mode by holding down the “Volume Up” key
7. in the central Odin window, select the downloaded files so that they correspond to the PIT, PDA and CSC objects
8. In Odin, click the Start button and wait until all files are updated.
If the Android system update went smoothly, a field with the inscription PASS in green will appear on the application screen.
Successful system update via Odin
Rollback to previous version
Perhaps you updated to one of the latest versions and were not satisfied (the phone is slow, errors appear frequently, you need to reboot, etc.). If necessary, you can roll back to any version you need. How to roll back?
1 way
Suitable for those who want to return the basic official factory firmware installed in the device at the time of its purchase in the store. This is quite easy to do. Go to the device settings and select the item responsible for resetting the settings (this can be “Privacy” or “Backup and reset”). On the test phone, this function was available in the “Backup and reset” menu in the “Personal data” category.
Section in the options menu designed to reset the device to its factory state
- We go to this section of the menu and stop at the “Reset settings” item.
- A form pops up warning you that all data from the gadget will be deleted. If the backups are already saved in a safe place, feel free to click “Reset phone settings”.
- The phone begins to reboot. After 5-10 minutes it will boot again, with a clean base system on board.
Method 2 - reset to factory settings (hard reset)
- turn off the phone/tablet
- simultaneously press and hold down the “Volume Up”, “Home” (bottom center) and “Power” buttons. The Recovery menu opens.
- Using the volume keys, check the “wipe data/factory reset” item.
- press the power key to confirm your choice
- in the next menu you need to confirm your decision. Select “Yes – Delete all user data” using the keys designed to adjust the volume
- Press the power button again. The main menu appears in front of you again
- Using the power key, select “reboot system now”
All is ready. Next time the factory version of the OS will boot.
How to rollback if a custom version of Android is installed (Cyanogenmod, MIUI, Paranoid Android)?
If you installed a custom ROM, you can return the official firmware in the same way as performing a manual update - using the Odin program already mentioned in the review. First, you will have to search the Internet for files with the firmware you need, individually suitable for your smart model. Perhaps the best resource for searching is the mobile portal 4PDA; here you can find any firmware for almost every phone model.
- connect the mobile device to the PC
- launch Odin
- turn off the phone and enter it into Download Mode. To do this, press the home key, power key and volume down key.
- when the phone is booted, press the volume up key to activate Download Mode
- on the main Odin form, select the downloaded files as a match for PIT, PDA and CSC
- in Odin, click the Start button and wait until all the files are updated.
The successful completion of the rollback procedure will be indicated by a green field with the inscription PASS at the top.
Information about a successful rollback to a previous version via Odin
How to update Play Market on Android
The first time you boot a fresh system, you have to configure everything again: account, language, mail, time zone, network, etc. The same applies to the Google Play Market store. An update to this module will become available immediately after setting up a Google account on your mobile device.
Proposal to connect your Google account to the system
As soon as you enter your Google account authentication information, Play Store components will appear in the notification panel, just like any other application.
Updates for Play Market components
If you are using custom firmware, you need to go to the store itself at least once to update. After this, an update for the service will appear on the display.
Answers to readers' questions
When will the new Android update be available?
Answer. Since a certain time passes between the immediate release of a new version of Android and the physical possibility of installing it on a gadget (from 2-3 to 6-8 months), you need to be patient and follow the announcements of companies. Among the first products with marshmallow support are devices from the Nexus and Android One lines. As for the Samsung brand, this month they promise updates to 6.0 for the following models of mobile devices: Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+; in January 2016 – Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge; in February – Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge.
Now about other brands. Sony announced an update for all current devices in the Xperia line, starting from the Xperia Z Ultra GPE released in 2013 and ending with all models of the Z5 series (both Premium and budget). The range of devices from LG is limited to the G4, G3 and G Flex2. HTC, in turn, limited itself to only the last two generations of devices of its own production: One M9/E9 and One M8/E8. In addition, companies such as Motorola, Xiaomi, Huawei, Asus, OnePlus and ZUK promise to equip their flagship devices and mid-level devices with Android 6.0. This list is not yet final. Subsequently, we will keep you updated on the latest announcements.
I have a Huawei U9500 phone, and I did not know or did not understand that I needed to update the version. Now I have Android 4.0.3, how can I update the firmware to the new version, please help!
Answer. The Huawei firmware update process is described. In short, there are two ways to update the Huawei U9500 firmware.
- We take out the battery and hold down the volume buttons on the phone. After this, the Android update process will begin.
- Go to Settings -> Storage -> Software Update -> SD Card Update, launch the Android OS update.
I have a MFLogin3T tablet and until now I didn’t know that it was possible to update the system. I read it on different sites, tried it, but it doesn’t work. I have Android 4.4.4. How to update the Android version?
Answer. The easiest way to update your phone is through Settings - Options - About device - Software update. The location of the partition may vary in different versions of Android OS. In this way, a standard update on Android is performed and the official software is downloaded. This is the safest and easiest way.
I have a Samsung Duos, version 4.1.2, I can’t update the operating system to a higher version. Please help me update Android on my phone!
Answer. First you need to find out if it is possible to update Android on your phone to version 5.x. It turns out not. The fact is that the technical characteristics of your phone do not allow you to install newer versions of Android.
On the other hand, you can download the update for Android from the 4pda forum, where modified firmware is posted. But we would not recommend installing such updates on a fairly old phone unless you have the necessary skills and are not prepared for a drop in the performance of your mobile device.
Lenovo A1000, Android is not updated. I'm trying to update version 5.0 to the newest one. At first everything goes well, but then he writes “Error” and shows an opened Android with a red triangle with an exclamation mark hanging above it. What should I do? How to update the OS to the latest version?
Answer. Why isn't Android updated? The fact is that Android 5.0 is the latest version of the OS to which you can officially update the firmware on your phone. At least that's what users of the 4pda forum say. Of course, you can update your phone by installing custom firmware, but no one guarantees stability after such an update.
I purchased NTS one m7. I can't update Android 4.4.2. The device does not find the software update, how to solve this problem? How to update it?
Answer. NTS one m7 can be updated to at least Android 5.1. If you can’t install the official update, try downloading custom firmware on the 4pda forum. Instructions for updating on this device are also collected there (see). In this topic you will find solutions to the problem if the Android OS is not updated.
I have a Moto x play, I don’t want to update the system, the message “Android 6.0.1 software available” constantly appears, which is wildly annoying. Please tell me how to remove this message so that it doesn’t appear again. I even contacted the support service of the smartphone manufacturer itself, All the instructions they gave me did not bring any results.
Answer. To disable firmware updates, go to Android settings, section About phone - Software update and disable updates by unchecking the corresponding item.
A year ago, the memory on my device died (the phone stopped turning on), it was replaced, but the firmware was not the original one (it’s no different, only the yellow Kernel inscription appears in the corner on the startup screen). Naturally, there are no updates for this firmware. Can I use Kies to roll back Android (install the native one) and update it?
Answer. In order to roll back the update, you need to reboot the phone in Recovery mode, select wipe data/factory reset, wipe cache partition and reinstall the firmware from the zip archive previously downloaded to the memory card. You can find the official firmware both on the manufacturer’s official website and on the 4pda forum, in the section with the corresponding name of your mobile device.
Acer Iconia A1-810 tablet. I don't have firmware updates... I click system update and it says "your device requires an update." How can I “force” it (forcefully update the Android system) or update it myself?
Answer. This tablet model was released about 5 years ago; it does not support new versions of Android, so the manufacturer does not provide firmware updates. You can look for custom (unofficial) firmware on the 4pda forum, but we do not recommend installing them - it is better to buy a new tablet than experiment with firmware at the expense of the stability and speed of the device.
The build number does not open on Android. I called for a long time. What should I do?
Answer. The Android build number is initially available for viewing in the “About smartphone” (“About tablet”) section. If you want to enable hidden settings (section “For Developers”), you can activate them by clicking on the build number, just 4-7 clicks on this line.
The situation with updating Android devices to the latest version of the operating system has always been some kind of real, sometimes even harsh, quest. Not in the sense that it is difficult to do, but in the fact that while you wait for the “update”, you can change your main smartphone several times (or even buy an iPhone). Especially if you don’t have a flagship or a Nexus device. But let's leave complaints for later. Today I want to talk about all the changes in Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Of course, there are not many of them, but almost all of them are worthy of our attention.
Perhaps one of the most important changes in Android 6.0 Marshmallow is related to autonomy. She has become better. Even the owners of the most problematic phone in this regard, Nexus 5, began to note that their smartphone “learned” to work longer on a single charge. That is, if earlier everything was very bad with the lifespan of the “five”, now it has become somewhere between simply bad and normal. The thing is that the new version of the OS introduced the App Standby function, which limits battery consumption for rarely used applications, which allows the device to work longer. Also, when you are not using your smartphone/tablet, sleep mode is automatically turned on, which also extends the “lifetime”. Well, plus all this, Android version 6 added support for USB Type-C (fast charging and accelerated data transfer).
When it comes to personal data and security, the new version of Android has done a solid job in this area as well. For example, you can now unlock the screen and confirm purchases in various stores (including Google Play) using a fingerprint scanner. It is clear that for this it must be built into your gadget. Plus, in Marshmallow, applications request access to various functions only when necessary. But even if you reject the request, the application will still be able to run. Also, starting from the sixth version of the OS, if “custom” software is installed, a corresponding notification will be displayed on the screen (at the moment the device is turned on). We can’t help but mention the new Android Runtime (ART), which is designed to improve application performance and reduce RAM consumption.
The developers did not neglect the usual capabilities of the system. For example, now, when Do Not Disturb is turned on, you will still see a notification if someone has tried to contact you more than twice in the last 15 minutes (this is all optional, of course). Also in the Google Start application menu, a search with hints and alphabetical scrolling has appeared, and in the settings there is now a single section for managing all parameters of installed programs. Back in Android 6.0, support for Bluetooth styluses appeared that respond to pressure.
Starting with the sixth version, Android introduced support for the 5 GHz frequency range for Wi-Fi access points. The developers also say that Marshmallow offers more efficient scanning of beacons and other accessories using Bluetooth Low Energy. The situation is similar when connecting to Wi-Fi networks that support Hotspot 2.0 technology. It is very important that in the “six” a lot of work has been done with the ability to transfer data from one device to another (now this process has become even easier and faster). Speaking of multimedia capabilities, Android now has MIDI support. There is good news (though only for a very narrow circle of people) in terms of localization: Android now supports 74 languages, including Albanian, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Urdu and Uzbek.
And for dessert we have Android for Work. Now, when you make incoming calls and while viewing messages, you will see contact information from your work profile, even if you are not logged in to it. VPN notifications are also located in the general settings section and are divided into “For the entire device” and “For the work profile.”
Something like that. If you want to find out all the information about the new operating system, you can go to the official Google page and get to know Android 6.0 even better.
If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.
We decided to figure out what features Google added to the new version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Most of the new products turned out to be deeply hidden in the operating system.
The lock screen has become cleaner
Google has tried a lot of different things with lock screens in recent years. There were good ideas, but more often for some reason they were bad. Luckily, the developers decided to keep the lock screen simple and useful.
Marshmallow's lock screen system is just that: the clock is larger, so you don't have to strain to know the time when you glance at your device. The notification panel has been improved with the addition of a quick settings drop-down menu. The dialer shortcut located in the bottom left corner has been replaced with Google Now, so you can now launch a voice search without even unlocking your device. And if you set up protection using a password or graphic code, the system will offer you a convenient panic button, which can be useful if you find yourself in an emergency situation.
We've never been crazy about widgets and other things that clutter up the screen while you're locked, so we're glad they're gone from Marshmallow.
Copy and paste made easier
Android was one of the first mobile operating systems to feature copy and paste capabilities - and now Google is jumping in over its head again.
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In Marshmallow, Google uses a copy and paste feature that is simpler and more convenient than what we've seen before. Latch pressing now works faster and you don't have to wait for the action selection window to appear. Additionally, Google has gotten rid of the clunky edit menu, replacing it with more obvious options that appear right next to the text you select. And if you have Google Translate installed, the copy and paste settings allow you to instantly translate text. This feature alone makes life easier.
Settings menu - more informative
Each new version of Android has a slightly more user-friendly settings menu. Unfortunately, for now this can only be considered a sign that Google is still determining how Android should be structured.
For example, if you scroll down to the About Phone tab in the Settings menu, you'll find a section that tells you when you last received system security updates. It's nice that such operating system transparency is becoming generally accepted. However, the developers also pursued their own goals, in particular, trying to dispel myths from the “Android is unsafe!” series.
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The rather strange Google Settings app has also disappeared. Instead, a menu item appeared in Settings. It seems this decision was obvious before, but better late than never. You can also go to the new Memory Management menu to see how much RAM your device is using and whether it's running normally.
Now on Tap is now tracking you. And it's not that bad
If you've always wondered why you're being asked to give Google access to your information, you'll find the answer in Google Now on Tap. Not only is this one of Marshmallow's best features, but it's also a reminder that Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana still don't get the job done.
The Now on Tap API examines everything you see on your screen and offers relevant search results. Hold the Home button to turn on Now on Tap, and the feature will do its best to get to know you better.
For example, in a news story about a Marshmallow update, Now on Tap was able to ignore references to numerous Android models from OEM partners, recognizing that the context of the article was about when the update would be released for those devices. The feature also provided us with links to additional materials.
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Now on Tap works with third-party apps too. For example, on Instagram you need to tap the screen 2-3 times to open Google Maps and continue to the place where your friends have checked in. But now, with Now on Tap, all you have to do is hold down the Home button when a photo is shown on screen, and you'll get a quick link to view the street where it was taken. If you select this option, Google will show you a real photo of the place you are interested in. It's much easier.
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But our favorite experience was using Now on Tap in conjunction with the reminders service, where Google Now simply doesn't work. For example, many girls like to take care of themselves on the weekends, but they often forget when it is time to dye their hair and when they need to go for a manicure. Now you can hold down the “Home” button while directly in the mail application and quickly add an event reminder to your calendar. All you need to do is make two clicks!
Now on Tap works from the moment you enable it, just like Google Now works from the first moment you sign in to your device. The idea here is this: if you use a Google phone, Google's search engine will provide you with more contextual information. And it seems to make life a lot easier - no more copying words and other things and then just pasting them into other applications.
Applications can be controlled
App permissions have been one of the most emotional topics for several years. In Android 4.3, Google introduced App Ops to help users find out which apps were taking on too much, but it was quickly abandoned because it wasn't useful. Today, if you don't like an app having access to an important part of your OS, the only option you have is not to install it.
Marshmallow really helps solve the dilemma of separate app permissions. The Play Store will no longer prompt you to approve all permissions before installing an app at once. Instead, the app will ask you for permission when it needs to access some part of your device, such as the camera. And now only you will decide whether to allow it or not. If you deny an app, its features that depend on that permission will not be active - but everything else will work.
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Control over your personal Android operating system is no longer an illusion. Giving permissions to applications is a very important point because they communicate in what context they need something. In addition, permissions create a new level of confidence for those users who would otherwise refuse to use Android due to the latest security issues.
Data is backed up correctly
Android was a really bad operating system for those who change devices frequently. This was true before the advent of Tap & Go in Lollipop - before, switching from one test device to another was a real hemorrhoids.
Luckily, though, Tap & Go made it easy to transfer your apps to a new device, but unfortunately your data didn't move with them. And although Android had a backup solution, it never worked properly since the days of Froyo.
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Marshmallow offers an Auto Backup feature and it seems to work. Here's how the solution works: Marshmallow uploads all application data to Google Drive, including user-created items such as accounts and settings. The system stores all your call logs and Wi-Fi passwords, and this data is not taken into account and may exceed the storage quota. By default, an automatic backup will be created every 24 hours when the phone is not in use and connected to Wi-Fi. You can check whether you're backed up through the Google Drive app, but you can't control what data is saved or what apps are backed up.
Currently, backups can only work on Marshmallow devices - which is odd since Google will be updating this API through Google Play Services. However, it looks like this feature is not finished yet, and we will take another look at it in a while.
Battery power is used more efficiently
Although the name Doze sounds like cough syrup, it's Marshmallow's new and truly impressive battery-saving feature. When you leave your phone or tablet on the table in the kitchen or anywhere else, the device goes into hibernation mode. That is, the same battery charge is actually retained as when you left the device. Network access services and background processes are combined and run intermittently - only high-priority tasks are executed as usual. As soon as you turn on the device’s display, all notifications will “pounce” on you at the same time, as if your device was discharged and just turned on. This is an amazing feature, and we were really impressed by how little power the Nexus 6 consumed after being left on all night. With Wi-Fi turned on, it used only 2% of the energy, and with LTE mode turned on, the system consumed only 10%.
Doze uses an accelerometer to detect when you're sleeping, so it won't turn on if you're walking or driving. To activate it, the device must be at one point for a certain time. High priority messages, such as those from apps like Google Hangouts, will still arrive and won't let your device sleep until you turn off notifications. Google has given developers the power to decide whether their app notifications can break through Doze mode. But we're hoping that messages like bonus coin offers in Pokemon Shuffle won't show up on the device when it should be "resting."
You can disable autorun of pre-installed software
Tired of pre-installed apps popping up on your device every time you reboot? Marshmallow has an App Standby feature that can help you disable them. In Marshmallow's developer options, you can simply deactivate unnecessary applications, and they will no longer launch. We wouldn't recommend this feature unless you're confident in what you're doing, but it can be really useful for those who are seriously plagued by bad third-party apps on Android phones.
There are other options in this section that will help you customize how apps run on your device. Marshmallow is able to terminate an application a minute after you switch to another, and also determine how many background processes can be running at the same time. We're thrilled that users now have the ability to work with these Android customizations, but at the same time, we wonder how all this will work on third-party Android devices when software updates arrive.
Fingerprinting for all money
Fingerprint scanners on Android devices are nothing new. Samsung, HTC, Huawei and even Motorola have had them for a long time. But it took a long time for Android to have its own fingerprint API library, and now developers can easily build these functions into their applications, for example, for mobile payments.
Currently, only the Nexus 6P and 5X support native Marshmallow fingerprinting, and we'll be sure to tell you how the library works once we get our hands on those devices. In addition, it will be very interesting whether players such as LG, HTC and others will use the new API or continue to work with their own.
Android 6.0 was released in 2015, becoming a logical continuation of its predecessor - Android 5, retaining the already familiar and quite successful Material design with targeted improvements in the form of adding some animations and redrawing icons. However, all updates and innovations lie in the functionality of the new operating system. Despite the fact that they are not so easily identifiable by eye, the hidden functions of Android are very significant in matters of ease of use of your gadget. Let's reveal the secrets of Android 6.
Do you want to update to this version? Despite the fact that by the end of 2016, version 6 of Google's proprietary system became the most popular version of Android in the world, not all devices will receive an official software update to this version. You can update your device and get new features of version 6.0 Marshmallow by simply writing to us in the comments the model of your device, and we will select, if possible, the most current software update methods.
Not all the Android secrets of this version are so obvious, so we have prepared a list of the most interesting secrets and tricks for it today.
Hidden features of Android 6
In this article we will look at the following functions:
- deleting applications on Android 6.0
- customizing the quick settings panel
- RAM management
- hidden game Android 6
and much more.
Removing applications on Android 6.0
You can now remove all installed programs from the desktop or application menu by holding your finger on the selected icon. You will see the options "Remove" or "Delete" at the top of the desktop or - "Application information" and "Delete" in the applications menu.
Setting up the quick settings panel in Android M using System UI Tuner
A convenient and attractive notification and quick settings panel is now not just a set of functions that differ depending on the device, but a customizable feature of the Android 6.0 Marshmallow system. You can easily change any of the quickly accessible settings using the built-in System UI Tuner function.
RAM management
What programs use all your RAM? Now you can easily deal with this issue! To do this, you need to go to “Settings” - “Memory” - “Used memory”. Click on a process to see detailed information about your RAM usage and then click Stop if necessary. Setting it up yourself may take some time.
Doze
Doze is a new handy feature for Android Marshmallow users. If you haven't used your Android smartphone or tablet for a while, the system will automatically put it into hibernation mode (an energy-saving mode of the operating system that allows you to save the contents of the RAM to a non-volatile storage device).
Faster performance, higher screen resolutions, lots of background processes running, and improved multitasking all have a detrimental effect on battery life. Manufacturers like Samsung and HTC build power-saving modes into their flagship models, but this is a feature we'd like to see in pure Android.
However, some exceptions, such as alarms or notifications, will work all the time. According to available information, this function allows devices with Android 6.0 on board to work up to 30% longer.
When using this mode on the Nexus 6, the operating time of the device almost doubled, which is undoubtedly an excellent indicator.
Hidden game Android 6
There are few differences from the game of the previous version: marshmallows are now drawn instead of candies, and the distance between them is increased so that now the passage of obstacles is simplified to an acceptable level.
Battery Saver
The new version of Android has added the ability to configure the battery consumption of each application. You can set the “Save” or “Do not save” mode in the “Battery Saver” option for any application. According to the company, this fine-tuning will be useful for those who prefer not to unload individual applications from RAM for the sake of speed, but at the same time take care that the RAM is not 100% loaded.
Quick text translation
If you select text while entering in any text field, a pop-up menu (click on the 3 dots) will give you the opportunity to translate the selected fragment. The function works if Google Translate is installed on the device and there is an active Internet connection.
Quickly search for music
Good news for music lovers. Now you don’t need to download a separate program that will recognize the song you like! With the advent of Android 6.0, users of Nexus devices were able to use the song recognition service by sound without installing third-party software. It is worth noting that among the supported devices there are very few even modern devices.
If you want to use Google's proprietary music search utility, but Play Market says your device is not compatible, you can download the APK file from this link.
The secrets of Android 6 revealed! Maybe you've noticed some other hidden features of Android? Share them in the comments.
Quite recently, a new operating system from Google was released - Android 6.0 Marshmallow. A preview of the new product appeared on May 28, 2015. The release date of the latest version, which is already available for updating on many devices, is September 29, 2015. In comparison, the shell has acquired new features, for example, setting security parameters and locking with a fingerprint. The developers position the system as energy-saving - users can independently configure the parameters that are responsible for battery energy consumption. The Nexus 5, 6, 7, 9, and Player gadgets were the first to have access to the update. It is very easy to switch to the new operating system from previous versions of Android - 5.0 and 5.1, which are currently installed in most flagship mobile devices from Sony, HTC, Samsung, LG. On October 5, 2015, the image for updating Nexus devices became available for download on the official website.
Review of new features of the new Android 6.0 operating system from Google
A review of the new operating system showed that one of the significant innovations was changes in the functioning of applications. Now users have access to daily saving of all application data. This system works very simply - once a day the user can write information to Google Drive. Thus, not only program settings are saved, but also their state. It will now be much easier for gamers to return to the previous level of the game in case of errors. Previously, we were forced to start playing through our favorite game all over again. This innovation simplifies work by quickly restoring program settings that do not have to be installed manually after a device malfunction.
One of the main differences between Android 6.0 and older versions is the manual security settings that can be set when working with applications. It functions very simply. Previously, it was necessary to allow access to all data and devices - contacts, camera, microphone, location - during program installation. Users were forced to give full access to all requested parameters without the ability to select only some of them. The simplest wallpaper application “required” access to contacts and microphone. To manually select parameters, some used root rights, which limit the possibility of warranty service for a phone or tablet and require certain skills to obtain it.
Android 6.0 developers have provided the ability to select the parameters that the application will use. For example, the program requests access to the microphone, camera and contacts. During installation of the program, the user can manually select only access to the microphone. In this case, at the moment when the application needs access to the camera, a corresponding request will appear on the screen. Thus, until the program uses the information for the first time, access to it will be closed.
This innovation has long been expected by many users who are interested in security and privacy issues. This is due to the fact that the policies of many developers are not privacy-friendly. Today, many applications require permissions that are unnecessary for this application. For this reason, most owners of non-flagship mobile device models are waiting for Android 6 to be released for their gadgets. It is believed that such a privacy policy will attract more business clients, for whom information security is a key principle in the use of modern technologies.
Using a fast payment system
The following innovation is not key for users of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Belarus. We are talking about Android Pay technology. Google has previously tried to implement a system for using mobile phones and tablets as electronic wallets called Google Wallet, which, unfortunately, did not lead to a successful result. However, many modern gadgets come with a built-in fingerprint scanning function. Among them are Huawei Ascend Mate 7 and Samsung Galaxy Alpha. Most modern smartphones and tablets support NFC technology.
This allowed the developers to introduce Android Pay technology into the new operating system, which will make payments as convenient as possible. Credit and debit card information is stored on your mobile device. This allows you to make payments in both virtual and real stores.
It is expected that the new technology will allow Google Wallet to be rebooted into Android. To do this, it is necessary to involve credit organizations in the project. Essentially, this is Google's attempt to introduce widespread use of mobile gadgets to make quick payments. This system works successfully on Apple devices. The success of Apple Pay shows that mobile payments are the future. Thus, Android Pay technology is not an attempt to compete with Apple, but rather the desire of Android developers to create a convenient operating system that supports high-tech standards.
Power Saving Mode
Android 6.0 has acquired a new feature - Doze. It will mainly be useful for tablet owners, since users sometimes use such devices for many hours in a row. Doze allows you to set settings that reduce power consumption. It's no secret that many flagship models of mobile devices have high-resolution displays and allow you to run a large number of background processes. Speed and multitasking reduce battery life.
Each new version of Android is designed to improve energy consumption. Version 6.0, which is intended primarily for flagship gadgets, has the Doze function. It works very simply. Now users are able to view information about which processes consume the most energy. You can set different energy consumption settings for certain processes and preset programs. Doze is reminiscent of hibernation mode on a desktop computer. Google experts claim that thanks to the introduction of this function, the operating time of the Nexus 9 has doubled.
Fingerprint recognition
Modern mobile devices can recognize fingerprints. Previously, to take advantage of this feature on your phone or tablet, you had to install third-party applications. The new operating system supports fingerprint recognition. This function can be used not only to make payments through Android Pay technology. You can set up device unlocking using a fingerprint scan and make using programs easier.
Developers of third-party applications will receive the necessary APIs, which will allow them to implement the new Android feature in software products created by various companies. This leads to the conclusion that fingerprint scanning will soon become even more popular. This method doesn't just speed up tasks on your mobile device. It guarantees the safety and security of all data.
Google Now changes
Updated operating system Android 6.0. Supports the well-known Google Now feature. With its help, you can receive hints that appear at the right moment. The assistant analyzes the user's actions in the system and shows useful information in the application that he is currently using. The most common information is provided by word searches on Google.
Google Now on Tap works very simply. All you need to do is hold down the Home button for a few seconds to activate the assistant. After this, you can find out any information, be it the lyrics of your favorite song, cinema rating, store location. It should be understood that the assistant analyzes the data that is currently .
The new Google Now assistant contains another interesting tool that is integrated into Android 6.0. It's called Google Fit. This function allows you to track your morning run or bike ride. This tool will make working with your mobile device even more convenient and comfortable.
Interface changes
When you first get acquainted with a new software product, it is impossible not to pay attention to how the interface has improved. In Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the application menu has been redesigned. Pages with programs have disappeared. Instead, they now have a convenient menu that you can scroll up and down. Thanks to this innovation, it will be much easier and faster to find the necessary program. It should be noted that, as in the previous version of Android, all applications are sorted in alphabetical order. However, the developers have not yet implemented the ability to group applications into folders.
The application menu contains a convenient search. The developers made sure that users do not have problems finding and opening the required program. Now you just need to enter the first characters of the application name in the search bar. This interface looks quite attractive. In addition, the four most important ones are displayed at the top of the application menu. The developers used a special algorithm that analyzes which programs are most frequently used and which ones have been launched recently. Thanks to this, the system offers four pinned applications at the top.
The changes affected the clock on the main screen. The developers managed to improve their appearance. Many will pay attention to the number that is displayed below the clock. The date is written in capital font, but it is bold.
An interesting innovation is notes that appear on the lock screen. Now everyone can create the text they would like to see when the device is locked. The text will appear in lowercase just below the time and date. Thanks to this function, you can record the most important information.
Other convenient changes
A review of a few more innovations is worthy of attention. One of them is volume control. The developers took into account the complaints of Android 5.0 users. and returned the convenient “Do Not Disturb” button. In this case, pressing the side volume switch allows you to open. You can set not only the call volume. On the right you can see an arrow that opens the alarm and media volume settings.
Android 6.0. supports modern USB Type-C technology and the USB 3.1 standard. It's no secret that this technology is gaining great popularity. Thanks to USB Type-C support, you can speed up the charging time of your mobile device and data transfer time.
The new Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system now has a “RAM” section. It allows you to view information about which applications are using the most RAM. Previously, these purposes required the installation of third-party programs. Thanks to the new feature, you can find out which applications have used the RAM of your mobile device over the last 3, 6, 12, 24 hours. Thanks to this, you can determine which programs are slowing down your device.