Upgrading to Android 6.0 Marshmallow has been an agonizingly slow experience for Android users, especially when you consider that Android N will be out in no time. This is especially frustrating when you purchase a flagship device – you expect a little more service from the manufacturer and carrier. We reported that the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and Galaxy Note 5 finally received their updates on April 5, and just the other day we reported that the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge on the Telus network would receive their Marshmallow upgrades within the next ten days. We are happy to report that our source had confirmation from a couple of users that their OTA updates for Android 6.0.1 were coming through for Eastlink with others following shortly. The Galaxy S6 Edge update has arrived on Bell – Telus has the Galaxy S6 Edge scheduled on April 14 and the Galaxy S6 schedule on April 18…so we will have to see if those days are bumped up a little. Remember, you can always manually checked for an update by going into Settings -> About Device -> Software Update.
Along with the Marshmallow upgrade, you will also get the newest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz. The new TouchWiz has been ‘tone down’ quite a bit from previous years – it seems with every rendition Samsung rewrites and lightens their Android User Interface (UI). It takes less processing power away from the device and it seems to run smoother than it ever has before. If you have not tried TouchWiz lately, you may want to stop badmouthing it and try it – you may actually like it. Samsung claims it “provides enhanced usability and an updated visual design.”
Marshmallow adds some nice features to the Android O/S – Google Now on Tap, which allows you to hold down your Home button to get information about what’s on your screen, as well as the built-in support for fingerprint sensor authorization to make mobile payments. Doze is another big feature that is an advanced power saving mode that will restrict the sending and receiving of background data when you really do not need it – it should help tremendously in saving battery life. There is more security built-in for fingerprints used on the fingerprint sensor. You will be required to use a pin, pattern or password in order to add any additional fingerprints to the device. Quick Connect assists you in easily finding and connecting to nearby devices as well as providing a list of current selectable devices and previous connections.