Chocolate Factory plops Marshmallow on Android slabs

Google has posted the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for its Nexus devices.

The Chocolate Factory said on Monday that the Nexus 5, 6, and 7 (2013 model) and the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player will all be getting Marshmallow as an over-the-air update. The upcoming Nexus 5X and 6P will also ship with Marshmallow pre-installed, and Google has posted factory images for download.

Devices left out of the update include the Nexus 4 handset and Nexus 10 tablet.

Google has been teasing the Android update for months, citing the improved battery life. The new Doze feature was designed to recognize when the handset is not in use, and reduce power consumption by as much as 30 per cent.

Google has also sought to make the Google Now virtual assistant more prevalent with Marshmallow. The Google Now on Tap feature will allow users to pull up Google Now by pressing and holding the Home button, and Marshmallow also touts improved voice recognition and fingerprint detection.

Additionally, Android 6 Marshmallow updates the application permissions system in Android, giving users the ability to better control what components and data an application can be granted access to.

"Apps designed for Android Marshmallow only ask for a permission at the time it's needed to use a feature," wrote Google vice president of Android product management Brian Rakowski. "You can deny any permission and still continue to use the app."

Google said the rollout of the over-the-air updates will vary depending on carrier. While other Android hardware vendors will be getting the Marshmallow update, release dates have not yet been given.

Motorola, however – until recently a division of Google – has listed the handsets that will receive the update, here. ®