Android M 6.0 Marshmallow Update Release Date: LG G4 'First in the World' Upgraded Device, Rollout Begins Next Week
Now that Android 6.0 Marshmallow, or Android M, has started rolling out to Nexus devices, the race is on for other Android manufacturers to upgrade their flagship smartphones. But that race already has a first-place winner, and it's the LG G4.
LG announced this week that the company's 2015 flagship smartphone, the LG G4, would be getting the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update starting next week.
"Owners of LG Electronics' LG G4 Smarphone will be the first in the world to receive the Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS," the company's release boasted on Thursday.
That's a little inaccurate -- the Google Nexus line of smartphones and tablets (including devices manufactured by LG) were actually the first in the world to receive Android M -- but LG G4 owners probably don't mind the hyperbole.
No doubt LG is proud of its accomplishment, seeing as how the Android 5.0 Lollipop update rolled out across OEM devices and carriers at a snail's pace -- and, as of October's official numbers, still only occupies about 23 percent of Android land.
"By working closely with Google, LG has been able to bring Android 6.0 to the G4 ahead of any of our competitors," said Chris Yie, LG's head of marketing in the announcement. "While speed alone isn't an indicator of great service, it does go a long way toward giving consumers the confidence that LG is committed to its existing customers first."
But before people with the LG G4 get too excited, there is some fine print. First of all, the first over-the-air (OTA) rollout will begin next week in Poland, as a limited small-market soak test to make sure everything goes smoothly with the upgrade. Following the Poland rollout will be other markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
LG was not specific about when G4 owners in the U.S. would begin receiving the Android M OTA rollout, but it's safe to assume that if your LG G4 is tied to a carrier, there will be a little more time waiting for that process to finish before you get that sweet upgrade notification.
While not a full makeover like Lollipop, Android 6.0 Marshmallow promises to bring several under-the-hood improvements to Android devices, including the power-saving "Doze" mode, greater control over individual permissions for apps, and the resurrection of "Silent" mode.
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