Android Marshmallow News: Release Dates on HTC, Sony, Updates and Features Including Google Now On Tap, Doze, Integral Voice Search, Animation

Users of HTC One M8 and HTC One M9 and Sony Xperia and devices under the Sony Xperia Z3, Z4, Z5 lines should be able to catch up with Google Nexus device users within the month and enjoy Android 6.0 Marshmallow's updates and features. Exact rollout dates will vary depending on device models and carriers before Android 5.0 Lollipop becomes a thing of the past

Morning News USA reported that of the more recent information on the OS' availability is Mo Versi's Twitter post. "Great news for our Sasktel, Rogers, Wind and Videotron HTC One M9 owners! We'll go live on Monday for the Marshmallow OS update. Thank you," the post indicated.

Versi also confirmed that UK users should see Marshmallow 6.0 by the middle of this week and HTC One M8 on carriers stateside should see the rollout by January 25.

Great news for our Sasktel, Rogers, Wind and Videotron HTC One M9 owners! We'll go live on Monday for the Marshmallow OS update. Thank you!

— Mo Versi (@moversi) January 15, 2016

Among the reasons that users are excited over the new OS version are the return of a full support for microSD, including device-specific formatting. Storage and file management are made more convenient with Explore. RAM management is given a more user-friendly, familiar feel. Permission checking becomes based on app and permission type.

System-level fingerprint API, enhanced network security reset, more forced encryption, enterprise angled Android for work, Google password manager smart lock for passwords, improved Text selection, screenshots deletion from notifications preview make Android Marshmallow feel more polished. These are along with clearer automatic app backup solution, convenient app links, silent mode/priority notifications, smoother direct share and Chrome custom tabs. Monthly security patches from Google is a further definite plus.

In terms of design Android Marshmallow and Android Lollipop share many similarities. However, according to a review by Androidpit, Android Mashmallow seems to give more highlight to voice features such the availability of Google's voice search instead of the camera and dialer shortcuts in the lock screen. Settings such as Battery, Data Usage, Display and Wi-Fi have also been given more distinctive shortcut icons and new layer of visual display.

The app search features have definitely been improved with app drawer now using a vertical list scroll rather than the previous horizontal scroll in Android Lollipop. Besides list scrolling, a new scrubber bar has also been made available to enable jumping from letter to letter while searching. A dedicated app search bar allows app search via keyboard or voice input besides the scrubber bar.

Uninstalling non-system apps has also been made easier. Dragging an app icon from the app drawer to the home screen will also display, for non-system apps, the app Uninstall option right with App Info or Remove.

Android Marshmallow displays the System UI Tuner at the bottom of the settings menu. Most noticeable are the movability and customizability of toggles in Quick Settings.

The new Android OS is big on animation, more so than Android Lollipop, with animations accompanying functions and actions. Speaking of animations, the Flappy Bird Easter Egg will once again be seen and will make an appearance when the Android version under the About section of the phone is continuously tapped.

Unfortunately, Android Marshmallow will neither offer the night theme nor the home screen rotation support. However, since a huge number of users find these features essential, Google may yet bring them to the surface.

Users subscribed to Google Now will be able to activate Android 6.0 Marshmallow's supposed best feature - Google Now on Tap. By a long press on the Home button, this become available. Google Now on Tap is one more shortcut, so to speak, for information provided by the old Google Now.

Android Pay on its early days, requiring NFC-equipped smartphones and terminals, is not yet as smooth as Samsung Pay and Apple Pay. Still, equipped as it is, it is only a matter of time before Android Pay makes its mark.

Battery and system resource management are made more efficient with the Doze and App Standby features. The App standby function, actually disables apps that have not been used for a long while will have settings disabled automatically so that they will be unable to use battery and system resources unnecessarily.

With Android 6.0 Marshmallow, devices will be able to use USB Type-C cables, which in turn, allow reversible and faster charging as well as faster data transfer.

What do you think is the best feature of Android 6.0 Marshmallow? Share your thoughts with us in the comment box below.