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Google Assistant starts rolling out to Android M and N devices
It's here: native support for Google Assistant officially started rolling out to Android phones running Marshmallow or Nougat on Thursday. As Engadget noted earlier in the week, Google's conversational digital assistant no longer needs a Pixel phone or the Allo app to work, but you may need to check your phone's specs before you get access.
Samsung won me with VR but is losing me with updates
I want to get a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, I really do. I like my Galaxy S6 Edge, with its striking curved screen, and the new model improves on it in nearly every way. Most importantly, I like to dabble in virtual reality -- I'm not ready to commit $700+ to a PC-based headset yet -- and I can still get a new Gear VR headset free with the S7 Edge. Shamefully, though, my S6 Edge hasn't received an update to Android 6.01 Marshmallow, leaving me high and dry with Lollipop. I certainly didn't expect that with a $800 flagship phone, and I refuse to let it happen again.
Samsung has a new music app for Galaxy users to test
Have a new Galaxy S7 or other Samsung Galaxy device running Android Marshmallow? Then the electronics giant wants you to kick the tires on Samsung Music. I'd explain what it is, but its name does that for me. The music app plays MP3, WMA, AAC and FLAC files, however, it's still in beta so it might not run without a hitch. But hey, your horoscope suggested opening yourself up to new things, so you might as well give it a shot.
Marshmallow debuts in less than one percent of Android devices
Google's latest version of Android, Marshmallow, only started rolling out last month. As such, it shouldn't come as surprise to see that the current adoption numbers for it are extremely low. According to Android's Platform Distribution rates for the month of November, Marshmallow is running on a mere 0.3 percent of "active" devices. The data is collected from signals sent to the Play Store, which helps identify what Android version is on handsets or tablets. Lollipop (5.0 and 5.1), on the other hand, accounts for nearly 26 percent, while Kit Kat (4.4) is the most popular version with about 38 percent of the total. The slow adoption rates for Marshmallow are by no means Google's fault, however, since it is often carriers and manufacturers which fail to keep their phones up to date.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow review: All about polish and power
When Android 5.0 Lollipop started hitting devices last November, people could tell. Google's new Material Design aesthetic made sure you wouldn't mistake it for any prior version of the OS, which was great... especially when you consider how confusing parts of it could be. Now that Android's look has been more or less firmed up, Google set about making its operating system smoother, smarter and more battery-friendly. The end result: Android 6.0 Marshmallow. So, how'd they do? Spoiler alert: pretty damned well.
Here's what you need for a fingerprint reader in Android Marshmallow
Google made sure that the Nexus 5X and 6P take advantage of Android Marshmallow's fingerprint reader support, but have you wondered what it'll take to get that digit scanning support in third-party hardware? You don't have to guess any longer. Google has listed the requirements for fingerprint readers in its latest platform, and they're unsurprisingly quite strict. The reader's false acceptance rate has to be virtually non-existent, and the rejection rate should be less than 10 percent. It also needs a hardware-based approach to matching fingerprints, and it must be impossible to access that data outside of the chip. Clearly, Google doesn't want a repeat of the lax security that made it easy to steal fingerprint data from some earlier Android phones.
LG first to push Android Marshmallow to its own flagship
LG's gearing up to roll out Android Marshmallow to its devices, and you can install it as soon as next week... if you own a G4 handset and live in Poland. The South Korean manufacturer will release the latest Android version in the European country first, but it promises that America, Asia and the rest of Europe will follow. Unfortunately, the company doesn't have exact dates for those markets yet. Local carriers will likely announce the upgrade when it becomes available, though; in the US, T-Mobile already confirmed that the G3 and the G4 will get Marshmallow in the future.
Google Translate works within apps for Android Marshmallow users
When Android Marshmallow arrives on your device, you can also get a really handy update for Google Translate. Instead of having to switch between apps to translate text, you'll be able to do some language switching right within the app you're using. Simply highlight the text you want to read or write up and click Translate when it pops up. You can use it, for instance, to read reviews on TripAdvisor about a hotel overseas, scan the LinkedIn profile of a person from another country or talk to someone who's not that fluent in your language on WhatsApp. Mountain View says the feature is ready to use with any app that takes advantage of Android's text selection behavior, and developers can easily update their applications to support it. It's already rolling out within this week, but you might get the latest version of Android itself later than that, depending on your device's manufacturer.
Which Android devices are getting Marshmallow and when?
Google has started rolling out Android 6.0, aka Marshmallow, to a handful of Nexus devices. But, as great as that is, there are still millions of people who have to wait for third-party manufacturers or carriers to get the update. Thankfully, companies like HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Sony and T-Mobile are already outlining their plans to distribute the latest, tastiest version of Android. Not everyone will be happy, of course, but the list of smartphones set to receive Marshmallow isn't bad -- and chances are more will be added over the next few weeks. "So, am I getting it," you ask? If so, when? Let's find out.
Android Marshmallow begins rolling out to Nexus devices today
As expected, Nexus owners are in for a treat this week as Google's latest OS revisions begins rolling out to select devices. According to a post on the Official Android Blog, the Nexus 5, 6, 7 (the 2013 model), 9 and Player are all in line to receive the over-the-air software update starting today. The newly released Nexus 5x and 6P handsets, of course, come with Marshmallow already installed. [Image Credit: Shutterstock]
Google's Pixel C tablet is Android's official answer to the Surface
You may have tuned into Google's event expecting Nexus phones, but Google just threw a big (if not entirely unanticipated) wildcard into the mix: Meet the Pixel C. The 10.2-inch Android Marshmallow device is the first tablet Google has designed completely in-house, and it's a not-so-subtle attempt at competing with Microsoft's Surface line, Apple's iPad Pro and other high-end tablets that turn into makeshift laptops with the right add-ons. In this case, there's an optional, smart Bluetooth keyboard ($149) that docks with the Pixel C when you're bent on getting work done, clings to the back of the tablet when you're not using it and charges when closed with the tablet attached. And much like the similarly pro-minded Chromebook Pixel, the Pixel C is using a USB Type-C connector -- you can even share chargers with the new Nexus phones if you're so inclined.
LG is making another Nexus: meet the Nexus 5X
The rumors are true: LG is back to build Google's 5.2-inch Nexus 5X. Leaked repeatedly over the last few weeks, the specs aren't much of a surprise -- or outpacing the also just-announced Nexus 6P -- but it's still packing quite a bit of power, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 CPU, 2GB of RAM and a 12.3MP rear camera that's capable of shooting 4K video and boasts laser-assisted autofocus and dual flashes. There's a 2,700mAh battery inside, and it's going to be available in both 16GB and 32GB versions with colors including black, white and ice blue. Nexus 5X pricing starts at $379; it will begin shipping in late October and two years of Nexus Protect coverage is available for $69. Update: Pre-ordering for the Nexus 5X (and all the other new hardware) is live now.
Here's how to watch Google's Nexus event
We've barely recovered from Apple's "Hey Siri" event a couple of weeks ago, but already we've got another huge press conference on our hands. Today, Google's taking the floor, with two new Nexus smartphones expected to be the biggest announcements. A second-generation Chromecast is also in the cards, and we'll undoubtedly be hearing more about Android Marshmallow, the latest iteration of Google's mobile OS. We'll be liveblogging the whole event when it starts in just over half an hour (at 12PM ET), of course, but you can also follow the live broadcast below if you want a front-row seat.
