Android M stands for Android Marshmallow

The wait is over. Android M finally has a name, and it is… (drum-roll)… Marshmallow. Yes, in spite of several other, perhaps more creative, options like Marzipan, M&Ms and Macaroons (and many others), Google decided to go with something that apparently compliments Android’s previous versions, namely Gingerbread and KitKat (S’mores, anyone?).

In an announcement made yesterday, Google announced the name of the next version of Android that would follow Lollipop. Android 6.0 Marshmallow was previewed not too long ago in May, at Google I/O Conference. It is expected to be released in fall. Of course at that time, the name of the version had not been announced, perhaps to generate more buzz. However, now not only the names have been released, but the finished version of the Android 6.0 SDK and the third (and final) Marshmallow preview has also been released. The preview, of course, would only be available on Nexus devices. If we go by the company’s blog, the preview’s images are in the final stages, and are not for consumer use. The blog went on the say that Nexus users will have to manually re-flash their devices to a factory image, so that they can receive OTA updates on the device. It is also mentioned that Android M will have good support to transfer content in same platform with Apps like SmartIOApp ..etc.

During the I/O Conference, Google had stated that Android M (now Marshmallow) would improve user permissions, in that user will have more insight into what aspect of their device a certain app, like content transfer apps, is accessing. Also included in Marshmallow are Google’s new Android Pay mobile wallet platform, USB Type-C support, and some improvements throughout the operating system.

According to recent leaks, Google intends to showcase Marshmallow on two Nexus smartphones. One would be a Huawei make, the other would be a follow up to the Nexus 5 by LG.