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Android 6.0 Marshmallow Rolling Out to Nexus Devices

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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A sweet treat is coming your way, Nexus device owners.

Google on Monday started rolling out Android 6.0 Marshmallow to Nexus devices. That includes the Nexus 5, 6, 7, 9, and Nexus Player.

Previewed at Google I/O and officially announced in August, Android 6.0 "is the sweetest, smartest Android version yet," Google Vice President of Android Product Management Brian Rakowski wrote in a blog post. The new mobile OS includes a feature called Now on Tap as well as battery life improvements, more privacy and security controls, and easier device setup.

Exclusive to Marshmallow, Now on Tap "stays on task alongside you, instantly pulling up relevant info and helping you get more done," Rakowski wrote. Say, for instance, you receive an email from a friend asking if you want to go to the zoo. Just tap and hold the home button, and Now on Tap will offer up links to relevant information about the zoo, shortcuts to relevant apps, and can even create a calendar event for you.

Google also added two new features — Doze and App Standby — which "dramatically decrease your device's thirst for power," Rakowski wrote. Doze recognizes when your device is idle and automatically goes into a deep sleep state to conserve power while App Standby puts seldom-used apps into a "reduced activity state."

On the privacy front, there's a new app permissions model, which lets you pick and choose which permissions to grant apps and disable any permission for any app, at any time. You can also now use your fingerprint to unlock your device, authorize transactions in the Google Play Store, sign into apps, and checkout with Android Pay on devices with a fingerprint sensor.

Marshmallow will also help you set up a new Android TV or tablet. Just say "OK Google, set up my device from your phone," and Android will migrate your apps, app data, and transfer over Wi-Fi passwords.

The new mobile OS will, of course, also come pre-loaded on the Nexus 6P and 5X, which are available for pre-order now via the Google Store, and will ship in late October. For more, check out Google's Marshmallow page.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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