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SONY Xperia Z5 review
The Xperia Z5 is a huge improvement on the Xperia Z3+ with a new fingerprint sensor and a sexy design, but there are still a few little issues stopping it from getting that perfect score.
Something feels different with the Sony Xperia Z5. After years of too-hasty handset updates from Sony with minimal enhancements (the Xperia Z3+ back in May was no exception), this finally feels like a worthwhile advance on the previous model.
The problem is, does anyone really need a new phone from Sony? The Xperia Z1 only launched in 2013, the same year as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. That's not very long ago at all – one upgrade cycle for people stuck in two year contracts, who will now be getting a phone four iterations along the line if they stay Sony-loyal.
Something feels different with the Sony Xperia Z5. After years of too-hasty handset updates from Sony with minimal enhancements (the Xperia Z3+ back in May was no exception), this finally feels like a worthwhile advance on the previous model.
The problem is, does anyone really need a new phone from Sony? The Xperia Z1 only launched in 2013, the same year as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. That's not very long ago at all – one upgrade cycle for people stuck in two year contracts, who will now be getting a phone four iterations along the line if they stay Sony-loyal.
But the Xperia Z5 feels like a different tack from Sony, and after the mess of the Xperia Z3+ it's good to see some real change.
Sony has also followed Microsoft's Windows 10 example and skipped a number, for the non-Japanese market at least: the Xperia Z3+ was called the Xperia Z4 in Japan, a muddle that the company has now resolved by jumping straight to Z5.
Sony's Xperia Z5 comes alongside the Xperia Z5 Compact and the Xperia Z5 Premium. The Xperia Z5 sits in the middle of the price scale and the same goes for its specs.
It's had a pre-release price drop on Sony's official store, from the original listing of £599 (about US$920, AU$1,249) to £549 (about US$843, AU$1,144). That may have been a placeholder price, but it seems more likely to be a revision of strategy as it tries to land in a very congested flagship smartphone market.
That means there's a lot of hope resting on the Xperia Z5, but there's a lot to be excited about with a new design, extra features and some other major improvements along the way.
Sony has also followed Microsoft's Windows 10 example and skipped a number, for the non-Japanese market at least: the Xperia Z3+ was called the Xperia Z4 in Japan, a muddle that the company has now resolved by jumping straight to Z5.
Sony's Xperia Z5 comes alongside the Xperia Z5 Compact and the Xperia Z5 Premium. The Xperia Z5 sits in the middle of the price scale and the same goes for its specs.
It's had a pre-release price drop on Sony's official store, from the original listing of £599 (about US$920, AU$1,249) to £549 (about US$843, AU$1,144). That may have been a placeholder price, but it seems more likely to be a revision of strategy as it tries to land in a very congested flagship smartphone market.
That means there's a lot of hope resting on the Xperia Z5, but there's a lot to be excited about with a new design, extra features and some other major improvements along the way.
Design
Sony needed to fix up the design of its Xperia Z series and there have been some big changes this time. It's still angular and glass-backed, but this time it's a frosted material instead of the clear glass we've seen on every iteration since the Xperia Z1.
The edges have been rounded off a little more and the placement of the buttons on one edge has been switched.
Colour choices for the Xperia Z5 are green, black, gold and white – all of which look great, although the gold version in the most refined. I had the black and gold versions in for my review. Previously the backs of Sony phones have been fingerprint magnets, but this new frosted glass shrugs off marks and looks a lot classier from behind than the Xperia Z3+.
The branding is a little more tasteful this time. The Xperia name is etched into the side of the phone and I love the fact Sony has included the NFC logo here too. It makes it easy to know where to tap, and is a trick some other Android manufacturers could learn from (I'm looking at you, LG).
The camera sits at the top left corner with the flash just below it, and there's also a little note of the sensor details.
Sony has smoothed down the edges on the Xperia Z5 as well. A couple of generations ago, these felt rather sharp on the palm of your hand, so this is a welcome improvement. Even though the design of the Xperia Z5 still feels blocky, it's much more comfortable to hold than the Xperia Z2.
The corners also have caps that help to absorb the impact when you drop it – a feature that was introduced on the Xperia Z3 but still feels like a big advantage of the Sony Z series.
There's only one flap on the Xperia Z5, and that's to cover the microSD and nano SIM slots. The rest of the ports around the phone are waterproof and so don't need the extra protection that Sony has applied with such zeal to earlier phones.
Down at the bottom of the right hand edge is the camera button. It's in the perfect position for taking snaps in landscape, but not so good in portrait. Between those two is the volume rocker, and this really does feel badly positioned.
The volume rocker should sit above the power button, where it would be easier to reach. Every time I tried to change the volume, I'd lose my grip and the phone would almost slip out of my hand.
If you're left-handed it might be a perfect position for your finger tips, although the rest of the button layout will be much less satisfactory.
The edges have been rounded off a little more and the placement of the buttons on one edge has been switched.
Colour choices for the Xperia Z5 are green, black, gold and white – all of which look great, although the gold version in the most refined. I had the black and gold versions in for my review. Previously the backs of Sony phones have been fingerprint magnets, but this new frosted glass shrugs off marks and looks a lot classier from behind than the Xperia Z3+.
The branding is a little more tasteful this time. The Xperia name is etched into the side of the phone and I love the fact Sony has included the NFC logo here too. It makes it easy to know where to tap, and is a trick some other Android manufacturers could learn from (I'm looking at you, LG).
The camera sits at the top left corner with the flash just below it, and there's also a little note of the sensor details.
Sony has smoothed down the edges on the Xperia Z5 as well. A couple of generations ago, these felt rather sharp on the palm of your hand, so this is a welcome improvement. Even though the design of the Xperia Z5 still feels blocky, it's much more comfortable to hold than the Xperia Z2.
The corners also have caps that help to absorb the impact when you drop it – a feature that was introduced on the Xperia Z3 but still feels like a big advantage of the Sony Z series.
There's only one flap on the Xperia Z5, and that's to cover the microSD and nano SIM slots. The rest of the ports around the phone are waterproof and so don't need the extra protection that Sony has applied with such zeal to earlier phones.
Down at the bottom of the right hand edge is the camera button. It's in the perfect position for taking snaps in landscape, but not so good in portrait. Between those two is the volume rocker, and this really does feel badly positioned.
The volume rocker should sit above the power button, where it would be easier to reach. Every time I tried to change the volume, I'd lose my grip and the phone would almost slip out of my hand.
If you're left-handed it might be a perfect position for your finger tips, although the rest of the button layout will be much less satisfactory.
Design on the front of the phone hasn't changed much. The bezels at the side of the screen have been slightly slimmed down to allow a smaller phone without a change in screen size.
I wouldn't have a problem with the thick bezels across the top and bottom of the screen if each housed speakers or had some other function. The top bar does include the front facing camera, flash and earpiece, but it's not anything that couldn't be included in a slimmer line.
I wouldn't have a problem with the thick bezels across the top and bottom of the screen if each housed speakers or had some other function. The top bar does include the front facing camera, flash and earpiece, but it's not anything that couldn't be included in a slimmer line.
Pioneer XDJ-700
Compact size, great features.
The XDJ-700 comes with a large touchscreen, a familiar club layout and it inherits a host of features from its big brother, the XDJ-1000. Its compact size and removable stand offer great set-up possibilities for even the smallest booth or home set-up.
With support for our free rekordbox™ software you can prepare and manage your tracks on a PC or Mac before hitting the booth.
With support for our free rekordbox™ software you can prepare and manage your tracks on a PC or Mac before hitting the booth.
Large touch screen
The 7-inch, full-colour LCD touch screen gives you instinctive control for ultimate creativity. The GUI is divided into three sections so you can effortlessly access all the features you need.
Faster browsing
Hot Cues
Trigger Hot Cues and Hot Loops in perfect time.
Beat perfect
Quantize snaps cues and loops to the rekordbox beat grid for a reliable performance every time.
More creative freedom
Automatically beat match up to 4 decks playing tracks analysed in rekordbox, leaving you free to focus on adding your unique mark on the mix.
Slip Mode
Keep tracks playing muted during live edits such as loop, scratch or reverse. Release the jog wheel and the track comes back at exactly the right place.
Enhanced track info
The large, full-colour LCD screen shows all the info you need, including Wave Zoom, beat countdown, phase meter, key analysis indicator and more.
Advanced connectivity
With ProDJ Link you can connect up to 4 players, turntables or laptops via LAN connection and share a single source. Combine this with rekordbox to access pre-prepared loops and cues, sync the beat with the master deck, and access a host of advanced pro-DJ features.
Let's get digital
Simply plug in your rekordbox USB or connect your iPhone, iPod touch or Android smartphone to load tracks directly to the XDJ. Get access to a multitude of advanced performance features when preparing your tracks in rekordbox or using the rekordbox app.
Compact design
The XDJ-700 offers DJs and venues unparalleled set-up possibilities. Being our slimmest player yet, it has been designed with the small booth or home set-up in mind. A removable stand helps it to fit into even smaller spaces.
More than 7m iPhone 6s models have been activated in China
Apple's popularity within China shows no sign of slowing, after more than 7m new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus models were activated within days of going on sale, new data has found.
More than 5.5m iPhone 6s units and 1.63m iPhone 6s Plus phones were activated by October 11, after the new iPhones went on sale at the end of September, according to Chinese data monitoring firm TalkingData.
The iPhone 6s sale marked the first time China acted as a launch country for the new generation of phones. Previously, customers in China had to wait several weeks or months before the new models were approved for sale.
The iPhone 6s sale marked the first time China acted as a launch country for the new generation of phones. Previously, customers in China had to wait several weeks or months before the new models were approved for sale.
The phones swiftly shifted more than 13m units within three days of availability, easily surpassing last year's 10m models within the same period. Of the 13m sales, China is estimated to have accounted for between 2 and 2.5 million unit sales, meaning non-China sales rose by between 5 per cent and 10 per cent, according to analysts FBR & Co.
The phenomenal popularity of the iPhone in China is particualarly interesting when viewed against the cooling wider market - smartphone sales in the country fell for the first time in August by 4pc year-on-year.
The phenomenal popularity of the iPhone in China is particualarly interesting when viewed against the cooling wider market - smartphone sales in the country fell for the first time in August by 4pc year-on-year.
TalkingData claims the number of activated iPhone 6s phones actually fell slightly compared to figures for the iPhone 6, witnessing a drop of 14.6pc.
Of all the iOS devices within China, the iPhone 6 is the most popular, it said, accounting for around 23.8pc of all devices, followed by the iPhone 5s at 18.8pc and the iPhone 6 Plus at 16.9pc. The iPhone 6s edged into the top 10 devices at number eight, equating to 1.8pc.
Native brands including Huawei and Xiaomi are also extremely popular across the country, and are proving stiff competition to more established brands including Samsung, Microsoft and BlackBerry.
Google's Android operating system was running on 78pc of smartphones in China during August, compared to Apple's iOS system's 19pc, according to Kantar.
Of all the iOS devices within China, the iPhone 6 is the most popular, it said, accounting for around 23.8pc of all devices, followed by the iPhone 5s at 18.8pc and the iPhone 6 Plus at 16.9pc. The iPhone 6s edged into the top 10 devices at number eight, equating to 1.8pc.
Native brands including Huawei and Xiaomi are also extremely popular across the country, and are proving stiff competition to more established brands including Samsung, Microsoft and BlackBerry.
Google's Android operating system was running on 78pc of smartphones in China during August, compared to Apple's iOS system's 19pc, according to Kantar.
iPhone 6s |
Nexus 5X release date, news and features
Update: Google has announced the Nexus 5X, its smaller, LG-designed Android phone with a one-hand-friendly display and much better camera.
For those non-giants out there who literally can't handle the Nexus 6P, the Nexus 5X dimensions are 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm and weighs just 136g. It sports a 5.2-inch 1080p LCD display that you can actually hold and use without resorting to two hands.
For those non-giants out there who literally can't handle the Nexus 6P, the Nexus 5X dimensions are 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm and weighs just 136g. It sports a 5.2-inch 1080p LCD display that you can actually hold and use without resorting to two hands.
New design, new camera
The most exciting part of the Nexus 5X might be the camera. It has the best camera Google has ever put into a Nexus device thanks to its 1.55 micron pixels. Sure, it's just 12.3MP, which at first seems like a low number compared to its Android rivals. However, the Nexus 5X's extra microns allow it to capture extra light for superior low-light photos. That's important for all indoor photos.
This rear ultrapixels-like camera has a f/2.0 aperture, IR laser-assisted autofocus and shoots 4K video at 30 frames per second. The front-facing camera is 5MP with the normal 1.4 microns and the same f/2.0 aperture.
While the camera is different, the internal specs don't stray too far from the LG G4. After all, LG is behind this smartphone design. It has the same Snapdragon 808 processor with a 1.8GHz hexa-core CPU and Adreno 418 GPU. However, there's 2GB of RAM here instead of the LG G4's 3GB.
The Nexus 5X fast charges via USB-C in half the time it takes to rejuice an iPhone. In fact, Google says that 10 minutes of charging the new phone can get you nearly four hours of battery life.
More iPhone-rivaling specs are part of the new Nexus 5X, including the Android Sensor Hub, which seems to be an activity recognition chip to challenge the Apple's motion processor.
Talking about the Nexus 5X imprint sensor, Google says it unlocks in less than 600 milliseconds and has a "incredibly low false reject rate." It gets better over time with each use, too. The company is betting heavily on Android Pay, where Apple Pay have cornered the digital wallet market.
This rear ultrapixels-like camera has a f/2.0 aperture, IR laser-assisted autofocus and shoots 4K video at 30 frames per second. The front-facing camera is 5MP with the normal 1.4 microns and the same f/2.0 aperture.
While the camera is different, the internal specs don't stray too far from the LG G4. After all, LG is behind this smartphone design. It has the same Snapdragon 808 processor with a 1.8GHz hexa-core CPU and Adreno 418 GPU. However, there's 2GB of RAM here instead of the LG G4's 3GB.
The Nexus 5X fast charges via USB-C in half the time it takes to rejuice an iPhone. In fact, Google says that 10 minutes of charging the new phone can get you nearly four hours of battery life.
More iPhone-rivaling specs are part of the new Nexus 5X, including the Android Sensor Hub, which seems to be an activity recognition chip to challenge the Apple's motion processor.
Talking about the Nexus 5X imprint sensor, Google says it unlocks in less than 600 milliseconds and has a "incredibly low false reject rate." It gets better over time with each use, too. The company is betting heavily on Android Pay, where Apple Pay have cornered the digital wallet market.
Release date and price
Google says that you can buy the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P through the Google Store starting today via a pre-order in the US, UK, Ireland and Japan, with more countries coming in the coming weeks. It'll partner with leading retailers and partners in other countries.
The confirmed Nexus 5X price will be $379, with a 90-day Google Play Music and, in the US at least, a $50 Play credit with all pre-orders. In addition to the normal manufacturer warranty, it'll tack on an extra year. If something does happen to your phone, you can get a new holdover device as early as the next business day. It'll be $69 for this Nexus 5X service. Want to save more money? The phone will support Google's Project Fi service, too.
In the UK, the Nexus 5X starts at £339 for the 16GB version and the 32GB costs £379.
The confirmed Nexus 5X price will be $379, with a 90-day Google Play Music and, in the US at least, a $50 Play credit with all pre-orders. In addition to the normal manufacturer warranty, it'll tack on an extra year. If something does happen to your phone, you can get a new holdover device as early as the next business day. It'll be $69 for this Nexus 5X service. Want to save more money? The phone will support Google's Project Fi service, too.
In the UK, the Nexus 5X starts at £339 for the 16GB version and the 32GB costs £379.
Nexus 6P release date, news and features
Google somewhat upset the Nexus applecart in 2014, launching not a successor to the Nexus 5, but rather a new variant altogether in the supersized Nexus 6.
It was big, bulky and packed with tech, but it missed the usually eye-catching price point of previous Nexus devices.
Now, Google's back with its successor in the form of Nexus 6P, and it's clearly learned a few lessons.
Motorola has been ditched as the manufacturing partner, with Chinese powerhouse Huawei taking the reigns for its first Nexus device. It arrives alongside the LG-built Nexus 5X as Google launches - for the first time - a duo of Nexus smartphones.
It was big, bulky and packed with tech, but it missed the usually eye-catching price point of previous Nexus devices.
Now, Google's back with its successor in the form of Nexus 6P, and it's clearly learned a few lessons.
Motorola has been ditched as the manufacturing partner, with Chinese powerhouse Huawei taking the reigns for its first Nexus device. It arrives alongside the LG-built Nexus 5X as Google launches - for the first time - a duo of Nexus smartphones.
Nexus 6P release date
The Nexus 6P is available to pre-order right now in the US, UK, Ireland and Japan. Pre-orders will come to more countries in the following weeks.
Handsets will start shipping towards the end of October, but we're still waiting on a firm date. If you pre-order in the US you'll also get a $50 Play Store coupon. You'll be able to pre-order buy the Nexus 6P from Google's online store in over two dozen countries.
Handsets will start shipping towards the end of October, but we're still waiting on a firm date. If you pre-order in the US you'll also get a $50 Play Store coupon. You'll be able to pre-order buy the Nexus 6P from Google's online store in over two dozen countries.
Nexus 6P design
The Nexus 6P is big, there's no questioning that, but it's been pared down compared to the Nexus 6.
Google has shrunk the screen from 5.96 inches to a slightly more manageable 5.7 inches, meaning the Nexus 6P is narrower than its predecessor at 77.8mm - which was a little cumbersome in the hand - and thinner, coming in at 7.3mm. At 178g, it's a touch lighter than the 184g Nexus 6 too.
The all-metal chassis provides what Google is hoping is a premium finish, although the sizeable black bulge on the rear hiding the camera may be a bit of a marmite design element.
A nice addition here is the rear mounted fingerprint scanner - the same position Huawei has used for its readers on the Ascend Mate 7 and Mate S.
The edges of the rear of the Nexus 6P are rounded, allowing for a comfier fit in the hand, while there's no access to the battery housed inside.
There's a treat on the base of the handset too, with a USB-C port included. This allows you to use the new reversible charging cables which can be plugged in either way round - like Apple's lightning port.
You'll be able to pick up the Nexus 6P in silver, black and white.
Google has shrunk the screen from 5.96 inches to a slightly more manageable 5.7 inches, meaning the Nexus 6P is narrower than its predecessor at 77.8mm - which was a little cumbersome in the hand - and thinner, coming in at 7.3mm. At 178g, it's a touch lighter than the 184g Nexus 6 too.
The all-metal chassis provides what Google is hoping is a premium finish, although the sizeable black bulge on the rear hiding the camera may be a bit of a marmite design element.
A nice addition here is the rear mounted fingerprint scanner - the same position Huawei has used for its readers on the Ascend Mate 7 and Mate S.
The edges of the rear of the Nexus 6P are rounded, allowing for a comfier fit in the hand, while there's no access to the battery housed inside.
There's a treat on the base of the handset too, with a USB-C port included. This allows you to use the new reversible charging cables which can be plugged in either way round - like Apple's lightning port.
You'll be able to pick up the Nexus 6P in silver, black and white.
Nexus 6P display
That smaller, 5.7-inch AMOLED display still boasts a QHD 2560 x 1440 resolution which results in a higher pixel density of around 518ppi.
That means it's up there with some of the best screens on the market, including the Galaxy S6, LG G4 and the 4K Sony Xperia Z5.
That means it's up there with some of the best screens on the market, including the Galaxy S6, LG G4 and the 4K Sony Xperia Z5.
Nexus 6P camera
The camera on the Nexus 6P is one of the biggest talking points here. Google made a big deal about the work it's done on the snappers of its new Nexus devices.
So what do you get? Well round the back, in the aforementioned bulge, the Nexus 6P is rocking a 12.3MP lens with an IR laser-assisted autofocus.
The camera's low light credentials were really highlighted during the launch, with Google claiming that 80% of images shot of mobile were done so in low light. We look forward to putting it through its paces in our full Nexus 6P review.
Meanwhile, upp front there's an 8MP snapper for all your selfies and video calls.
So what do you get? Well round the back, in the aforementioned bulge, the Nexus 6P is rocking a 12.3MP lens with an IR laser-assisted autofocus.
The camera's low light credentials were really highlighted during the launch, with Google claiming that 80% of images shot of mobile were done so in low light. We look forward to putting it through its paces in our full Nexus 6P review.
Meanwhile, upp front there's an 8MP snapper for all your selfies and video calls.
Nexus 6P battery
The Nexus 6P comes with a 3,450mAh battery, up from 3,220mAh on the Nexus 6. With a smaller display at the same resolution, we're hoping this will equal an improvement in battery life.
Android Marshmallow also claims to offer longer battery too, thanks to Google's smarter implementation of the software on handsets.
Android Marshmallow also claims to offer longer battery too, thanks to Google's smarter implementation of the software on handsets.
Nexus 6P price
The Nexus 6P pricing starts at $499 for the 32GB model, the 64GB version is $549 and the 128GB option will set you back $649. In the UK it costs £449 for the 32GB model, £499 for the 64GB and £579 for the 128GB. In Australia, the Nexus 6P starts at AU$899 for the 32GB model.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow: all the key features revealed
Google took to the stage to announce the roll-out of the latest version of its mobile operating system, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, at a special event on September 29, where we were also given a look at the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. The final version of Android Marshmallow comes after three developer preview releases to iron out bugs. Read on for everything you need to know about Android 6.0 Marshmallow, including its release date, features and more.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow release date
On September 29, Google confirmed that Android Marshmallow would start to roll out to existing Nexus devices – that's the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player – from Monday October 5, so if you have one of those devices, keep an eye out for the update.
The new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will come with Marshmallow straight out of the box,. Pre-orders for these phones are now open in the US, UK, Ireland and Japan, with shipping due to begin in October.
For other handsets, when you get the update depends on your manufacturer. Keep an eye on our constantly-updated article Android Marshmallow update: when will I get it? to find out when Android M will land on your handset.
The new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will come with Marshmallow straight out of the box,. Pre-orders for these phones are now open in the US, UK, Ireland and Japan, with shipping due to begin in October.
For other handsets, when you get the update depends on your manufacturer. Keep an eye on our constantly-updated article Android Marshmallow update: when will I get it? to find out when Android M will land on your handset.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow features
When Google VP of Engineering David Burke first showed off Android M at Google I/O in May 2015, he outlined six major features that would be at the core of the updated operating system. On September 29 Google's Android Marshmallow website went live, Burke provided a few extra details of Android 6.0.
So let's start with those six key areas that Google has focussed on for Marshmallow:
1. App permissions First up, app permissions. As previously speculated, app permissions have been overhauled in Android M, and you can now choose to accept or deny individual permissions as you see fit. Permissions have also been simplified, and will now be requested the first time you try to use a feature, not at the point of installation.
"You don't have to agree to permissions that don't make sense to you," Burke said, and used WhatsApp to give an example of how this works. If you want to record a voice message, WhatsApp will prompt you with a one-time request for permission to use your mic: if you still wish to give it access and record the message, you can, but you don't have to. In this way, Android M is giving you greater control of the information apps can access, a step forward for the OS.
You can modify the permissions granted to apps at a later date in your Settings, or you can view permissions by type and see which apps have that permission granted. It's all about giving you much more control over your Android device.
2. Web experienceGoogle has been exploring trends in the way web content is consumed to provide a better user experience when interacting with websites and apps. "Chrome Custom Tabs is a new feature that gives developers a way to harness all of Chrome's capabilities, while still keeping control of the look and feel of the experience," said Burke.
Chrome Custom Tabs will allow apps to open a customized Chrome window on top of the active app, instead of launching the Chrome app separately. It's claimed that this provides a faster and more intuitive user-experience when navigating between apps and the web.
Chrome Custom Tabs supports automatic sign-in, saved passwords, autofill, and multi-process security to assist the integration of the app and web experience. So, for example, a Pinterest custom tab will have a Pinterest share button embedded in it, can include custom overflow menu options, and doesn't require the Pinterest developers to build their own web browser.
3. Fingerprint supportGoogle will "standardize support" for fingerprint scanners on phones running Android Marshmallow. The new functionality will allow fingerprint scanners to be used not only to unlock phones, but to make purchases when shopping in real-life or within Play Store apps.
Of course, your device will need a hardware fingerprint scanner to begin with, but with Google's full support, expect to see these appear on many more devices in the future.
4. Mobile paymentsAndroid Pay is Google's new mobile payments system, designed to make the checkout process easier and faster. Google is aiming to provide "simplicity, security, and choice" with Android Pay, allowing you to use your existing credit cards to pay for products in more than 700,000 stores in the US.
Compatible with any device featuring NFC capabilities (and running 4.4 KitKat or above), the Android Pay platform is being supported by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, as well as carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Google's response to Apple Pay is here.
5. App links "When a user selects a weblink from somewhere, Android doesn't know whether to show it in a web browser, or some other app that claims support for the link." This was the problem facing the Google developers before Android Marshmallow.
You may be familiar with the 'Open with' dialogue box which appears when you try to open a link within an app on Android. You might be asked if you want to open a link with YouTube, or with Chrome, for example.
App links are being changed in Android 6.0, so that Android has a greater awareness of which apps can open content directly. If you tap a Twitter link in an email, for example, the Twitter app will open automatically instead of prompting you to ask if you want to use Twitter to view it.
This is almost a blink-and-you'll-miss-it improvement, but it's representative of Google's attention to detail: Android M is probably going to feel more usable without many people even realising why.
6. Power and chargingWe all hate running out of battery and Android Marshmallow wants to ease our pain through a new function called Doze to improve device standby time. By using motion detectors, Android will recognize when a device hasn’t been interacted with for a while, such as when a person is asleep or a phone has been left on a table, and reduce background processes.
Burke said that Google tested two Nexus 9 devices, one running Lollipop and one running the Android M preview, and learned that Android M will provide up to twice as much standby time. Even in Doze mode, though, Android can still start alarms or notify you of priority notifications.
7. Improved cut, copy and pasteWhen you select text on a current Android device, a series of confusing icons appears at the top of the screen, and figuring out what they all do takes trial-and-error. In Android Marshmallow, the words 'cut', 'copy' and 'paste' will simply float above selected text, making the process much simpler.
It might seem a minor change, but these new cut, copy and paste options are an overdue update to one of the most commonly used features. The new, more intuitive approach mirrors the iOS way of doing things – and why not if it works?
8. Auto app data backupThe new app backup feature on Android Marshmallow will, in time, be very useful. It creates a copy of practically everything an app needs to be reinstalled and pick up where it left off. All the data is backed up to Google Drive, from which it can be plucked and placed on a new or reset device. So all your data, settings and passwords go back to how they were as if nothing ever happened.
The big problem is that it only works on apps targeting API 23, which, at the moment, is a mere five percent of the top 200 third-party, non-game apps. App makers also have to choose to enable the auto backup feature, and many do not, so you may have to activate it yourself. In time though, we're sure this feature will be widely implemented and prove to be very useful.
For more detailed information, visit Ars Technica.
9. File ManagerGoogle has built a file manager into Android Marshmallow. It lacks many of the features of third-party file managers, but it does allow users to search, copy, share, sort and delete files. You will probably get the most out of it if you have a microSD card slot and want to transfer files, but, given the lack of features, it seems most people would still be better off using a third-party app
To access the built-in file manager, go to Settings, then Storage. From there, select USB and finally Explore. It's quite well hidden, but it's there.
So let's start with those six key areas that Google has focussed on for Marshmallow:
1. App permissions First up, app permissions. As previously speculated, app permissions have been overhauled in Android M, and you can now choose to accept or deny individual permissions as you see fit. Permissions have also been simplified, and will now be requested the first time you try to use a feature, not at the point of installation.
"You don't have to agree to permissions that don't make sense to you," Burke said, and used WhatsApp to give an example of how this works. If you want to record a voice message, WhatsApp will prompt you with a one-time request for permission to use your mic: if you still wish to give it access and record the message, you can, but you don't have to. In this way, Android M is giving you greater control of the information apps can access, a step forward for the OS.
You can modify the permissions granted to apps at a later date in your Settings, or you can view permissions by type and see which apps have that permission granted. It's all about giving you much more control over your Android device.
2. Web experienceGoogle has been exploring trends in the way web content is consumed to provide a better user experience when interacting with websites and apps. "Chrome Custom Tabs is a new feature that gives developers a way to harness all of Chrome's capabilities, while still keeping control of the look and feel of the experience," said Burke.
Chrome Custom Tabs will allow apps to open a customized Chrome window on top of the active app, instead of launching the Chrome app separately. It's claimed that this provides a faster and more intuitive user-experience when navigating between apps and the web.
Chrome Custom Tabs supports automatic sign-in, saved passwords, autofill, and multi-process security to assist the integration of the app and web experience. So, for example, a Pinterest custom tab will have a Pinterest share button embedded in it, can include custom overflow menu options, and doesn't require the Pinterest developers to build their own web browser.
3. Fingerprint supportGoogle will "standardize support" for fingerprint scanners on phones running Android Marshmallow. The new functionality will allow fingerprint scanners to be used not only to unlock phones, but to make purchases when shopping in real-life or within Play Store apps.
Of course, your device will need a hardware fingerprint scanner to begin with, but with Google's full support, expect to see these appear on many more devices in the future.
4. Mobile paymentsAndroid Pay is Google's new mobile payments system, designed to make the checkout process easier and faster. Google is aiming to provide "simplicity, security, and choice" with Android Pay, allowing you to use your existing credit cards to pay for products in more than 700,000 stores in the US.
Compatible with any device featuring NFC capabilities (and running 4.4 KitKat or above), the Android Pay platform is being supported by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, as well as carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Google's response to Apple Pay is here.
5. App links "When a user selects a weblink from somewhere, Android doesn't know whether to show it in a web browser, or some other app that claims support for the link." This was the problem facing the Google developers before Android Marshmallow.
You may be familiar with the 'Open with' dialogue box which appears when you try to open a link within an app on Android. You might be asked if you want to open a link with YouTube, or with Chrome, for example.
App links are being changed in Android 6.0, so that Android has a greater awareness of which apps can open content directly. If you tap a Twitter link in an email, for example, the Twitter app will open automatically instead of prompting you to ask if you want to use Twitter to view it.
This is almost a blink-and-you'll-miss-it improvement, but it's representative of Google's attention to detail: Android M is probably going to feel more usable without many people even realising why.
6. Power and chargingWe all hate running out of battery and Android Marshmallow wants to ease our pain through a new function called Doze to improve device standby time. By using motion detectors, Android will recognize when a device hasn’t been interacted with for a while, such as when a person is asleep or a phone has been left on a table, and reduce background processes.
Burke said that Google tested two Nexus 9 devices, one running Lollipop and one running the Android M preview, and learned that Android M will provide up to twice as much standby time. Even in Doze mode, though, Android can still start alarms or notify you of priority notifications.
7. Improved cut, copy and pasteWhen you select text on a current Android device, a series of confusing icons appears at the top of the screen, and figuring out what they all do takes trial-and-error. In Android Marshmallow, the words 'cut', 'copy' and 'paste' will simply float above selected text, making the process much simpler.
It might seem a minor change, but these new cut, copy and paste options are an overdue update to one of the most commonly used features. The new, more intuitive approach mirrors the iOS way of doing things – and why not if it works?
8. Auto app data backupThe new app backup feature on Android Marshmallow will, in time, be very useful. It creates a copy of practically everything an app needs to be reinstalled and pick up where it left off. All the data is backed up to Google Drive, from which it can be plucked and placed on a new or reset device. So all your data, settings and passwords go back to how they were as if nothing ever happened.
The big problem is that it only works on apps targeting API 23, which, at the moment, is a mere five percent of the top 200 third-party, non-game apps. App makers also have to choose to enable the auto backup feature, and many do not, so you may have to activate it yourself. In time though, we're sure this feature will be widely implemented and prove to be very useful.
For more detailed information, visit Ars Technica.
9. File ManagerGoogle has built a file manager into Android Marshmallow. It lacks many of the features of third-party file managers, but it does allow users to search, copy, share, sort and delete files. You will probably get the most out of it if you have a microSD card slot and want to transfer files, but, given the lack of features, it seems most people would still be better off using a third-party app
To access the built-in file manager, go to Settings, then Storage. From there, select USB and finally Explore. It's quite well hidden, but it's there.
What else is new in Android Marshmallow?
Auto Backup and Restore for AppsPossibly the most interesting aspect of Android Marshmallow not discussed in Google’s I/O keynote speech was Android Auto Backup and Restore for Apps. This feature will be used in conjunction with Google Drive to automatically backup app data and settings with a file size of 25 MB or less.
These backups occur no more than once a day, and run only when the device is idle and connected to Wi-Fi and power. The uploaded data does not count towards your Google Drive storage quota, and is encrypted.
If you lose your device or delete the app, your previous progress will be restored the next time you install it, and it even works with apps which are side-loaded or accessed through a third-party app store.
New app drawerOne of the most immediately obvious visual changes to Android 6.0 is the new app drawer. This now scrolls vertically instead of horizontally, and is held against a white background, rather than a muted shade of your homepage wallpaper. Across the top of the menu you will see your four most recently used apps.
Android Marshmallow RAM manager Google has introduced a new RAM manager to Android M, with the aim of providing users with more accurate and comprehensible information regarding the maximum and average RAM usage of apps.
The menu can be found in Settings > Apps > Options (three dots button) > Advanced > Memory. Though it's a little hard to navigate to, the page offers a far clearer insight into app demands, and the overall effect they will have on your device.
With a reading of an individual app's RAM consumption, as well as how often it is running in the background, users will be able to better determine which apps should be removed in endless bid to increase device performance and battery life.
Android M even includes a simple bar at the top of the page displaying the current performance status of a person's handset; if it says 'good performance', you're probably running an efficient set of apps.
Adoptable Storage DevicesThough Google has in the past tried to step away from external storage use (the reason why none of its Nexus devices house a microSD card slot), it appears that Android Marshmallow is striking a compromise.
Adoptable Storage Devices is Google's new storage feature which essentially takes an external storage source (such as an SD card or USB drive) and formats it like an internal storage space. This means that app and personal data can be moved freely between a devices internal storage and its 'adopted' storage source.
Adopted storage devices are wrapped in a layer of encryption to soothe security concerns and both microSD cards and USB OTG drives are currently supported.
Android Marshmallow dark themeBuried within the the first developer preview of the Android 6.0 settings was a 'Dark theme' option which transformed the menu background to a dark grey color rather than the normal pale shade. At the time, this only affected the settings menu, not the app drawer, and its function was purely cosmetic. Still, it looked nice on our Nexus 6 and we hoped it would get developed further.
But in the second developer preview of Android 6.0, that dark theme had been removed by Google. We're not sure why this happened or if it's a permanent removal, but we're hoping to see the dark theme make a triumphant return – in more than just the Settings menu – when Android M is finalized.
We're not the only ones. Hernán Castañón delved into the Android Marshmallow source code to reveal veiled references to a 'night mode'. This sounds mysterious, but these traces of code bring hope that Google hasn't quite renounced the possibility of a dark theme yet. Perhaps it even has plans for a color theme that changes according to the time of day, which would stop you from blinding yourself with a careless late-night look at your phone's glaring white
These backups occur no more than once a day, and run only when the device is idle and connected to Wi-Fi and power. The uploaded data does not count towards your Google Drive storage quota, and is encrypted.
If you lose your device or delete the app, your previous progress will be restored the next time you install it, and it even works with apps which are side-loaded or accessed through a third-party app store.
New app drawerOne of the most immediately obvious visual changes to Android 6.0 is the new app drawer. This now scrolls vertically instead of horizontally, and is held against a white background, rather than a muted shade of your homepage wallpaper. Across the top of the menu you will see your four most recently used apps.
Android Marshmallow RAM manager Google has introduced a new RAM manager to Android M, with the aim of providing users with more accurate and comprehensible information regarding the maximum and average RAM usage of apps.
The menu can be found in Settings > Apps > Options (three dots button) > Advanced > Memory. Though it's a little hard to navigate to, the page offers a far clearer insight into app demands, and the overall effect they will have on your device.
With a reading of an individual app's RAM consumption, as well as how often it is running in the background, users will be able to better determine which apps should be removed in endless bid to increase device performance and battery life.
Android M even includes a simple bar at the top of the page displaying the current performance status of a person's handset; if it says 'good performance', you're probably running an efficient set of apps.
Adoptable Storage DevicesThough Google has in the past tried to step away from external storage use (the reason why none of its Nexus devices house a microSD card slot), it appears that Android Marshmallow is striking a compromise.
Adoptable Storage Devices is Google's new storage feature which essentially takes an external storage source (such as an SD card or USB drive) and formats it like an internal storage space. This means that app and personal data can be moved freely between a devices internal storage and its 'adopted' storage source.
Adopted storage devices are wrapped in a layer of encryption to soothe security concerns and both microSD cards and USB OTG drives are currently supported.
Android Marshmallow dark themeBuried within the the first developer preview of the Android 6.0 settings was a 'Dark theme' option which transformed the menu background to a dark grey color rather than the normal pale shade. At the time, this only affected the settings menu, not the app drawer, and its function was purely cosmetic. Still, it looked nice on our Nexus 6 and we hoped it would get developed further.
But in the second developer preview of Android 6.0, that dark theme had been removed by Google. We're not sure why this happened or if it's a permanent removal, but we're hoping to see the dark theme make a triumphant return – in more than just the Settings menu – when Android M is finalized.
We're not the only ones. Hernán Castañón delved into the Android Marshmallow source code to reveal veiled references to a 'night mode'. This sounds mysterious, but these traces of code bring hope that Google hasn't quite renounced the possibility of a dark theme yet. Perhaps it even has plans for a color theme that changes according to the time of day, which would stop you from blinding yourself with a careless late-night look at your phone's glaring white