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Android Next Version Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates Information

Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates Information

Android 6.0 Marshmallow is here, and now the waiting game is on. “When will my phone get the Marshmallow update?” ask countless Android fans, and for good reason: while phone makers are doing a better job at keeping their devices up to date, the process is still lengthy and opaque. Worse, many models will inevitably be left behind. We’re here to shed some light on the issue.

In this post, which will be updated frequently, we are rounding up all the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update news, so you can get a good picture of what to expect.

Before we start

The release of Android updates for most devices is a complex operation, involving Google, chipmakers, device makers, and carriers. With so many players, and so many things that could go wrong, you should expect delays, slow rollouts, botched releases, and generally a lot of variation based on your specific model, your region, and your carrier.

Just because your device is listed here as officially announced to receive Marshmallow (or worse, just rumored to get the update), it doesn’t mean your particular model will receive it in a timely manner or even at all.

Conversely, just because your phone or tablet isn’t listed here, it doesn’t mean that it won’t be updated. OEMs occasionally change their minds. In other cases, the lists that they put out are non-final.

Patience is advised.

Nexus Marshmallow update

As in most cases, Nexus devices are first in line for updates. Google has released Android 6.0 factory images for Nexus devices on October 5. These images can be flashed manually, allowing you to bypass a potentially lengthy wait for the OTA update. Factory images are available for:

The Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2012 (both variants), and Nexus 10 will not make the jump to Marshmallow.

If you don’t want to wait, it’s relatively easy to flash a factory image, following our guide:

How to manually install Android 6.0 Marshmallow on a Nexus device (Windows and Linux)

You can also manually flash the OTA zip files, which is the update file that would normally be pushed to your device from Google’s server. Note that in order to correctly install the update, your device must be running the firmware version mentioned in the link. OTA links viaAndroid Police.

Android One Marshmallow update

Like Nexus phones, all Android One devices are supposed to receive fast Android updates straight from Google. Factory images for various Android One phones sold in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Nepal are available below.

To flash these images, you can follow our manual installation guide.

Samsung Marshmallow update

Like with previous versions, Samsung has not made any official announcements concerning the Android 6.0 updates for its smartphones and tablets. We do have however, some off the record information via SamMobile and T-Mobile.

The following devices are rumored to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Galaxy S5
Galaxy S5 LTE-A
Galaxy S5 neo
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6 Edge
Galaxy S6 Edge+
Galaxy Note 4
Galaxy Note Edge
Galaxy Note 5
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

These are all obvious candidates for an upgrade, so we’re pretty confident that Marshmallow will be available for most versions of these devices, sooner or later. As for what to expect from the update, Samsung has an infographic listing some of the features.

LG Marshmallow update

LG announced it will be the first OEM to roll out Android Marshmallow, starting from next week. There’s a catch: only the LG G4 model sold in Poland will receive this update, with models in other “markets in Europe, Asia and the Americas” to follow.

T-Mobile’s update list also mentions the LG G3 and G4 Stylo, which are obvious choices for an update. Besides this, we can speculate that the recently announced V10 and the G Flex 2 will also be making the jump. We’re less optimistic about LG’s mid-rangers, including the Bello, Magna, Leon, and Spirit, though at least some of them can probably handle Marshmallow.

Motorola Marshmallow update

Motorola has made a good name for itself in the Android community, thanks to its fast updates and focus on a smooth stock-like user experience. The Marshmallow rollout may change that positive perception though. It’s not that Motorola hasn’t been forthcoming about its plans; it’s the fact that those plans seemingly don’t include either version of the Moto E, the Moto X (2013), or some carrier versions of the Moto X (2014).

2015 Moto X Pure Edition (3rd gen)
2015 Moto X Style (3rd gen)
2015 Moto X Play
2015 Moto G (3rd gen)
2014 Moto X Pure Edition in the US (2nd gen)
2014 Moto X in Latin America, Europe and Asia (2nd gen)
2014 Moto G and Moto G with 4G LTE (2nd gen)
DROID Turbo
2014 Moto MAXX
2014 Moto Turbo
Nexus 6

According to a Motorola representative, some users are already testing the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the Moto X Pure (Style). That means Motorola is in the late stages of preparing the update for a wider rollout, and hopefully we’re hear something new soon.

HTC Marshmallow update

HTC has revealed a tentative list of devices that will be updated to Android 6.0, and even a timeline. The One M8 and One M9 will see Marshmallow by the end of the year, while the other phones listed below will get the same treatment from early next year.

HTC One M9
HTC One M8
HTC One M9+
HTC One E9+
HTC One E9
HTC One ME
HTC One E8
HTC One M8 EYE
HTC Butterfly 3
HTC Desire 826
HTC Desire 820
HTC Desire 816

After the launch of the One A9, HTC announced the unlocked version of the device will receive “every” Android update within 15 days from the time the update hits the Nexus devices. That’s a very bold promise, and hopefully it’s a sign of bigger things to come.

Sony Marshmallow update

Sony has published an exhaustive list of devices it plans to update to Marshmallow, including all the likely candidates, including the latest Xperia Z5 series. Unfortunately, Sony won’t bring Marshmallow to the 2013 Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact, as well as the older Xperia Z. On the flip side, at least there are a few mid-rangers on the list. Sony has also released AOSP resources and binaries for some of its devices, allowing the community to easily create custom ROMs.

As for the update itself, Sony is running a beta program with 10,000 users that we hope to learn more about soon. The beta update has begun rolling out on October 19 and Sony supplemented the number of beta invites so more users can join in the fun. On October 28, Sony rolled out an OTA update for the Marshmallow beta.

Sony devices officially confirmed to get Marshmallow:

T Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium
Xperia Z4 Tablet
Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet
Xperia M5, Xperia C5 Ultra, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4

According to Australian carrier Telstra, the update for the Xperia Z4 Tablet will roll out in January 2016.

A note for users of the Sony Xperia Z3+, Z4 Tablet, C4, C5 Ultra, M4 Aqua and M5: according to a Sony support page, these devices will jump straight to Android 6.0, skipping Android 5.1.1.

Huawei Marshmallow update

Huawei has a lousy record when it comes to releasing Android updates for its devices, but perhaps its involvement with the Nexus program will help nudge things along.

As it turns out, Huawei has proved us wrong. The company announced in would put Marshmallow on the following devices:

Huawei Mate S
Huawei Mate 7
Huawei P8
P8 Youth Edition
P8 Max
Maimagn 4
G7 Plus
G7
Honor 7
Honor 7i
6 Plus
Honor 6
Honor X2
Honor 4X
Honor Play 4C

The Honor team, which is technically autonomous inside Huawei, recently announced that a beta build of Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the Honor 7 will be made available in the following weeks.

ZTE Marshmallow update

Like Huawei, ZTE is known for not caring about Android updates. It remains to be seen if this year will be any different. ZTE is looking for a breakthrough in the Western markets with the Axon line, so perhaps the Chinese giant will deem it necessary to bring Marshmallow to it, at the least.

OnePlus Marshmallow update

OnePlus is in a tricky place: its first phone, the One, still runs Cyanogen OS, and theoretically, Steve Kondik’s outfit should deliver the Marshmallow update in the following months. The OnePlus 2, meanwhile, runs OnePlus’s own OS, Oxygen, and its development is led by former members of the Paranoid Android team. Considering that the Oxygen OS team is still busyworking on the current, Android 5-based release, the prospect of a Marshmallow release seems very remote.

Asus Marshmallow update

All we have here is one sketchy rumor claiming Asus will bring Marshmallow to the Zenfone 2 series, including the Zenfone Laser, Deluxe, and Selfie. However, we wouldn’t put too much stock in it, as Asus is not known for fast updates.

Custom Marshmallow ROMs

When Android OEMs let us down, we all look up the developer community to pick up the slack, at least when it comes to Android updates. Unfortunately, the custom ROM scene is not as vibrant as it used to be, with only CyanogenMod left to carry the torch.

For now, we know that the CyanogenMod team has started working on the Marshmallow-based CM13, though we don’t have an official announcement yet.

Also keep an eye on independent developers – for instance, Dmitry Grinberg has come up with a working Marshmallow ROM for the Nexus 4, and there are also Marshmallow ROM projects for the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 7 (2012).

Custom stock Marshmallow ROM are available for the OnePlus One and for the LG G4.

7:12 AM 0

Facebook

Now Facebook is working on a music streaming Service

Now Facebook is working on a music streaming service

New Delhi: Online music streaming services are apparently set for a tougher competition with Facebook as the world’s largest social network is said to be working on its own music streaming service.

A report on Music Ally notes that the purported subscription-based service will compete with the likes of Spotify and Apple Music.

Before the music streaming service takes off, Facebook will initially focus on getting the video platform rolled out in the coming months. The company will pay royalties to music rightsholders for their music videos played on the site

Facebook is likely to go for the same route as with WhatsApp and Instagram, where it chose to purchase an established service rather than building its own.

Source: IBN Tech

8:10 AM 0

Airtel

Airtel is Ready to launch 4G Services in North East on 2-3 Months

Airtel is Ready to launch 4G Services in North East on

2-3 months

At Guwahati: Telecom giant Airtel will roll out 4G services in North East, excluding Assam, within next 2-3 months, testing of which is currently going on.

"We are at present testing the 4G signals in the North East. However, this exercise excludes Assam as we got the necessary 4G spectrum for the state only in latest auction and it will take some time to roll out the services," Bharti Airtel Chief Executive Officer (NESA) Saurabh Goel told PTI.

The company started the testing about two months back and is emphasising on this entire process so that customers do not face any issue once the facility is introduced, he added. Goel declined to share the timeline, but said: "It will be introduced very soon in the six states.

We have already put up hoardings in Shillong and other places in the region.

Industry sources, however, said Airtel is gearing up to roll out the 4G services commercially in North East within next two-three months.

The company's North Eastern States and Assam (NESA) operations, which clocked a revenue of Rs 2,000 crore in 2014-15, has a customer base of 90 lakh and enjoys 40 per cent market share in the region.

"In the last fiscal, we grew by 14 per cent. It was a little setback for us as the coal mining industry in Meghalaya was closed, affecting our growth. But this year, we are buoyant on Meghalaya along with Tripura. We are extremely focused on Arunachal Pradesh also," Goel said.

He, however, declined to share growth expectations or customer base target for the current fiscal.

On growth areas, Goel said the company has "big plans" for the youth, who are entering colleges this year and will roll out special combo offers for voice and internet usage.

"The other two focus areas... in North East are corporates and migrant workers, especially from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh as our brand is very strong there," he added.

Source: IBN Tech

7:51 AM 0

Latest Updates

Protect Your Mobile Phone in this Holi in with 13 Tips & Tricks

Protect Your Mobile Phone on this Holi in 13 Tips & Tricks

About Holi: Holi is almost here and while all of us are busy preparing for H-day from what to wear, which colours to use and where to party, we often overlook the indispensable mobile phone, than can easily turn dispensable after a Holi mishap. If the phone you own is one of those toughphones that can withstand most things thrown at it, then you needn't worry. However, it is more likely that your prized phone doesn't come with built-in protection. With the colours and moisture (actually, buckets and buckets of water) threatening your phone during this festival of colours, we bring you some simple and handy tips that can help your phone survive this Holi.

1. Ziplock pouch: Yes, we store food, medicines and even make up, in these bags. But the good old plastic ziplock bag is possibly the most affordable way to protect your smartphone from getting coloured or drenched. Simply put your phone in the ziplock bag, seal it and your treasured device is waterproofed. If you can't find a zip lock bag, any plastic bag would work. Just bring back your childhood skills of covering your notebooks in the cellophane sheet and get cracking - this time with your smartphone! Or else, ask your mom to wrap your smartphone in a cling-film like the way she would wrap a sandwich.

2.Waterproof cases or bags: Another smart way of giving your smartphone a safe Holi is to put it inside a waterproof case which is available online and you could also find them at your neighbourhood mobile accessory stores. These cases and bags are designed especially to keep water from entering the phone's ports even if you plan to go swimming. The waterproof bags ensure that your hands are free to smear colours onto others. Simply swing it across the shoulder and you are good to go. These are available for as low as Rs 250, you can find these bags at various e-commerces sites. You can also try out shops selling sports gear and related accessories.

3. Turn a balloon into a rubber skin case for your phone: It takes only one balloon and a few minutes to make a waterproof case for your phone. All you have to do is inflate the balloon and put your phone on it with screen facing down. Now start deflating the balloon slowly and you will see your phone wrapped in a rubber skin once the air inside the ballon is fully released.

The video below demonstrates the process.

4. Change your phone for a day if you have an old spare phone: Now this option needs a lot of heart and spare mobile devices at your disposal. If you have an old phone or can afford to not flaunt that swanky new phone at the Holi bash, consider changing the device for a day. This would cut down on the after-Holi heartbreak and money loss for repairs. A mobile device could after all be a mobile device-used for making calls and wishing people a Happy Holi-sans Internet connectivity. Isn't it?

5. Don't use multiple devices: Holi is a group celebration, which means you will have lots of people around you with the same or twice the number of gadgets as well. So if you are having fun with your friends and all of them are carrying their smartphones, it is best to pick one of the devices and leave the rest-either at home or in the car. Not using multiple devices helps cut down on the chances of gadget damage.

Bonus tip - Get all your calls diverted to that one friend's number (it will help if the chosen phone is also waterproof) so that your parents or near ones are not left anxious worrying about when you'll get home or call them back.

6. Use inexpensive earphones: The best way to protect your phone is by not touching it at all - while using it at the same time. This could be made possible by using a pair of earphones (preferably an inexpensive pair) to take calls on Holi. You are, therefore, suggested to keep your phone in pocket, plug in a handsfree with wires running underneath your shirt and eartips in your ears. By doing so, you will be able to attend every call that comes without bring your phone in contact with wet hands.

This, however, does not offer complete protection, but could reduce the chances of phone damage from water. However, this can be used in combination with any of the tips mentioned above.

7. Conceal the open areas on your phone: If you have no time even to go and buy a plastic pouch or even have a baloon handy, you are advised to conceal the open areas on your phone, including the micro USB port, headphone jack and speaker grill, with the help of a tape. This trick is not a foolproof solution but could help save your phone innards from water.

8. Cheap screenguard for a day: If you don't like to place a screenguard on your phone, it's time you changed your thought for a day. You are advised to go and get your phone's front and rear guarded for Holi. It will protect your phone from getting dirty as well as scratch threats. Some protection is always better than none.

9. Smartskin Condoms for smartphones: Yes, you read it right. This stretchy thermoplastic premium polyurethane skin protects the device from water, dust, dirt, and even snow (basically phone STD) These are available on Smartskin's websiteand you could also look for similar products at offline stores too.

10. Nano-coating spray: These do-it-yourself sprays add a waterproof layer and gives a lotus-effect to your smartphone. The method is simple and the result is long-lasting. Done the right way, one application of the Nano State Flash Flood spray can last for 6-12 months. You can also try out other options on eBay.

Watch the video below to learn this simple trick of protecting your smartphone this Holi.

11. Leave your phone behind: This is undoubtedly the best of all the tips listed here. If being away from your mobile phone doesn't trigger nomophobia (the fear of being away from your phone), it's better you leave your phone behind and enjoy Holi carefree, the way it should be.

What if your phone meets with a Holi accident?: Phikar not, help's here.

12. A bowl full of uncooked rice to draw moisture: Accidents don't come with advanced warnings. In case your phone gets wet, don't panic. Also if it's wet, never try to power it on as it might short circuit. The first thing you should do is take a bowl full of uncooked rice and put the phone (with the SIM card and other removable parts out) in the bowl overnight. It's better to change the phone's position at intervals until you go to sleep. This will help any water left inside your phone to run down. The rice will absorb moisture and make your device liquid free and possibly bring it back to life.

13. Don't use a hair dryer to dry a wet phone: The most common mistake that people make to restore a wet phone is blow drying the phone. Using a blow dryer may help your dry out your phone but you are likely to burn out the phone's components in the process. Stick to rice. It works.

Source: IBNlive.in

8:46 AM 0

Latest Updates

Google Contacts Gains Visual Refresh and Gets Rid of Duplicate Entries

Google Contacts Gains Visual Refresh and Gets Rid of Duplicate Entries

Google has released a preview to Google Contacts in Gmail that brings a much-needed visual refresh and a number of new features to make our lives easier. The service will now pool together all of your contacts, circles, and most frequently-contacted users in Gmail to make it easier to find certain people. A few other notable features are also included in the update, so let’s dive right in.

The enhancement that will be most welcomed by users is the revamped “Find duplicates” feature. Now, when you go to the new Google Contacts page, the service will detect duplicate contacts and ask you if you’d like to merge them together. So far, this is working out quite well. I didn’t even know I had any duplicates, and Contacts told me I had 18 that could be merged.

Next, Google will now keep your contacts up to date by pulling in info from users’ Google+ profiles. This will make it easy to stay up to date on users who change cities, jobs or even names. Last but not least, clicking on a contact will now show you your recent conversations with that user, including emails and meetings.

The update to Google Contacts will begin rolling out in the coming weeks, but Google has provided a preview of the update. If you’d like to check out the new Google Contacts preview, head here to do so. And unfortunately, just like Inbox, Google Apps users aren’t invited to the new experience quite yet. However, Google says they’re working on it.

8:29 PM 0

Android News, New Android Mobiles

Samsung New Feature of 8MP ISOCELL Image Sensor for Front-Facing cameras

Samsung New Feature of 8MP ISOCELL Image Sensor for Front-Facing cameras

Samsung has just taken the wraps off of its new 8MP image sensor made specifically for front-facing cameras. Dubbed the S5K4H5YB, the new sensor is made using the company’s in-house builtISOCELL technology, along with its newly-developed RWB (red-white-blue) color pattern filter. Samsung hopes that the combination of ISOCELL’s advanced light sensitivity tech and RWB’s color fidelity enhancements will produce a much clearer low light shot.

The company is planning to mass-produce the S5K4H5YB sensor beginning in Q2 of 2015, so we will likely see the new sensor on smartphones released in the later half of the year.

The last time we saw Samsung’s ISOCELL tech in a flagship smartphone was in the Galaxy S5, but the company seemingly went back to the drawing board after that. The Galaxy Note 4, which was released over five months after the S5, carried Sony’s IMX240 camera sensor instead of an ISOCELL sensor. Additionally, Sony’s sensors also come in the recently-announced Galaxy S6 and S6 Edgehandsets.

Last year, the company talked a lot about ISOCELL, so it was clear that they wouldn’t just ditch the technology after putting it in only one smartphone. Now it’s apparent that Samsung was bettering their camera tech before releasing it to another flagship. And who knows, maybe they’ll release an improved rear-facing ISOCELL sensor in time for the Galaxy Note 5 launch.

8:22 PM 0

New Android Mobiles

Huawei MediaPad X2 Hands-on and First Look

Huawei MediaPad X2 Hands-on and First Look

Huawei has been stepping up their game recently, especially with regards to design and build quality, as well as providing an overall great experience. Huawei may not have brought any flagship devices to MWC 2015, but that doesn’t mean that they are empty-handed. Apart from the beautifully-designed Huawei Watch, also launched the successor to their 7-inch phablet that debuted at last year’s MWC, the MediaPad X1. We go to spend some time with this device, and here’s a quick look at the Huawei Mediapad X2!

The Mediapad X2 maintains the form factor of the original, with its 7-inch display, but in a more compact iteration. Borrowing from the design cues of the Ascend Mate 7, the Mediapad X2 also comes with an 80% screen to body ratio, making it a lot smaller than you would expect. The aluminum design gives this device an elegant, premium look and great feel in the hand. It is also surprisingly thin for a device of this size, at just 7.3 mm thick, contributing to the handling experience. Going around the device, the power button and volume rocker are placed on the right, below the dual SIM card and MicroSD card slots, with the headphone jack and microUSB port found at the top and bottom respectively.

Huawei describes the Mediapad X2 as a phablet, courtesy of its voice calling capabilities, but it is definitely too large to fall even into that category. You can hold on to the device with one hand though, but its not going to be very comfortable, or possibly even fit, in your jean pocket. That said, Huawei’s focus on great design and build quality shines through once again with the Mediapad X2, and it is a wonderful device, regardless of whether you choose to use this as a phone or tablet, or both.

The Mediapad X2 comes with a laminated IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, resulting in a pixel density of 323 ppi, which promises fantastic viewing angles up to 178 degrees. In the short time we got to spend with it, the color reproduction looks accurate and brightness isn’t an issue, helped by CABC technology (content adaptive LCD brightness control) that automatically adjusts the brightness for a better viewing experience, as well as more efficient battery management.

Huawei is certainly not skimping out on the hardware side of things, with the Mediapad X2 packing a A 64-Bit, 2.0GHz Kirin 930 Octa-Core CPU, backed by a 64-bit GPU Mali-T628, as well as 2 GB or 3 GB of RAM depending on which version you choose. Internal storage of 16 GB or 32 GB is available, that also determines how much RAM you get, which is further expandable up to 128 GB via microSD card.

The Kirin 930 chipset supports LTE Cat6 connectivity with a theoretical download speed of up to 300Mbps, aside from the full suite of general connectivity options that are available. The X2 also comes with Dual-SIM support. On the audio front, there is just a single speaker at the bottom right, but it comes with DTS surround sound technology for an immersive sound experience.

And finally, we come to another highlight of any Huawei device in recent times, and that is the battery. The large size of the X2 allowed Huawei to pack the device with a 5,000 mAh battery, which should provide great longevity in any circumstance, but there are built-in power saving features available as well to get a little extra battery life.

The MediaPad X2 comes with a 13 MP rear camera that Huawei claims to be very good in low-light shooting. The camera features a post-shooting focus adjustment metering mode, focus and exposure metering, and off-screen snapping functionality as well. The 5 MP front-facing camera has an aperture of f 2.4 and a wide angle of 22 mm, which is ideal for selfie lovers. Standard features like beauty and panorama can be found, but more unique features like timelapse will allow for an even more enjoyable smartphone camera experience.

The software has been updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop, with Huawei’s Emotion UI on top. The interface is largely identical to what was found on the Ascend Mate 7, and there isn’t a lot of Lollipop influence in this particular software package. What you will find though is a very bright and colorful interface that provides just enough features and customizations to keep it interesting.

So there you have it – a quick look at the Huawei Mediapad X2! This is shaping up to be another solid device offering from Huawei, and while its large size may be a turn off for some, it is ideal for those in the market for a single device solution to address both their smartphone and tablet needs.

Stay tuned with Android Authority as we continue to bring you more from Huawei, along with all the other great coverage from MWC 2015!

8:05 PM 0