Android 6.0 M Update: Name Confirmed, It's Marshmallow! -- What We Know So Far

"Guess who's excited for the arrival of Android M?"

That's what google tweeted, to raise the excitement that the general public has regarding the new Android version.

Now, after all the anticipation and the hype for the upcoming Android M, Google has announced the name of the new version: Marshmallow.

According to the The Guardian, the new name was revealed in a statue outside Google's office in Mountain View, California. This new version is the 13th (including the alpha and beta versions), and still follows through with the dessert theme of all Android versions.

On the Android Developers Blog, Product Manager Jamal Eason said of the new, fluffy version:

"Whether you like them straight out of the bag, roasted to a golden brown exterior with a molten center, or in fluff form, who doesn't like marshmallows? We definitely like them!"

So, what's new in Marshmallow?

More features are available in the new Android version, such as fingerprint support and a power-saving mode called Doze. Marshmallow also has auto data backup and a new easy word selection, according to Phonearena.

According to the Guardian, Google also emphasized security to developers, competing with Apple's iOS. Lollipop, Marshmallow's earlier version, had a vulnerability called "Stagefright" which allowed users control of a device simply by sending a text. The Register reports that Google will have this bug fixed by September - most likely in or alongside Marshmallow.

Marshmallow's Doze will also extend battery life by actively handling all battery-draining background processes.

"In this state, Android will exponentially back off background activity, trading off a little bit of app freshness for longer battery life," Dave Burke, VP of engineering for Android explained at the company's developer conference, I/O, earlier this year.

In the developer's blog, Eason said that there is a new permissions model that gives users more flexibility, and makes the apps behave as expected. The permissions user interface has been updated and behaviors have been enhanced. There are also updates to the Fingerprint software, which makes it more reliable for use.

According to The Verge, Google has also added a feature in the Chrome browser called, "Chrome Custom Tabs" which makes it easier for developers to put Chrome features like sign-in inside an app - thus not forcing the user to switch between apps.

The Verge adds that Marshmallow has Google's mobile wallet platform called Android Pay, USB Type-C support, and some more improvements as to the whole operating system. Marshmallow will succeed Android 5.0 Lollipop. 

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