Hello, everyone. This is what the Easter looks like on Android's new operating system. But
what else does it have under its sleeve?
I'm Rob Wilson. You're watching the Video Gadgets Journal and this is 10 cool things
you need to check on Android Marshmallow.
We'll start with the biggest Android Secret that everyone knows about since they do it
with every new version of the software.
Go to settings, tap on about phone and then tap the version number several times to reveal
an M. Tap to switch to a marshmallow and press and hold to launch the Easter egg game.
Somewhat disapprovingly it's the same flappy birds style game as last time, only the lollipops
you have to jump through have been replaced by marshmallows.
However there is a little twist to this already difficult game.
Before starting your game, tap the plus and minus buttons at the top of the screen to
add more Androids... and make it even harder.
Tap with more fingers to jump each of your Androids. In a word... impossible
Next up are volume controls which have been simplified. All you need to do press the volume
rocker on your device and then press arrow next to the slider to get media, notification
and alarm volume sliders. Nice and simple that one.
You also get a helpful USB notification when you plug your device into a computer so that
you can quickly switch between different connection protocols. Previously these options were hidden
deep in the device settings.
Now if you fancy saving some battery Marshmallow adds a new feature called Doze that manages
battery optimisation in the background.
You'll find this in the battery settings through the three dots in the top right of the screen.
By default Android will battery optimise everything so see how your battery life fairs after getting
Marshmallow and use this screen to fix any problems.
You can tap on each app to turn battery optimization on or off. And don't forget to tap that like
button too on this video.
And if you like what you see the subscribe button loves being tapped as well.
But back to the cool Android Marshmallow features and the next one is total management of app
permissions.
Whenever an app wants to use something for the first time such as location settings or
the camera you have to grant access. This is in contrast to accepting all permissions
when you first download the app as it used to be.
That allows you to monitor any dodgy activity your apps might be up to and it allows you
to edit app permission on the fly by using the App Info screen.
Simply tap on the permission option and then toggle on and off what you think a particular
app should be allowed to do with your device.
Now if you own a stock Android device such as Nexus, you will be well aware of the lack
of file explorer built into the software.
Well Marshmallow addresses this, if you go to settings and then storage and USB, scroll
down to the bottom and you will see a new explore option.
That option is a file explorer, albeit a very simple one. It will allow you to view folders
and files as well as play the file or edit it with a long press.
All these cool little features I'm showing you, by the way are stock features, no rooting
or device modifications required.
Like this new memory screen which gives you average breakdowns of memory usage. You can
even tap through to memory usage on an app by app basis. No controls here or task killers,
just useful information.
What's also useful is the android stock support for finger print scanners but unfortunately
my old Nexus 6 doesn't have one so I'll have to leave that for another video.
But what I can show you is a new feature in the backup and reset screen which allow you
to perform a wipe of all network settings. That includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile
data.
The next feature is really quite cool as it allows you to tweak a few controls all at
once. With the notification screen displayed, long press the settings cog until it starts
spinning and then let go.
That unlocks the system UI tuner as a new option right at the bottom of the settings.
When you go to that screen you can do a few things that include adding a battery percentage
number to your battery icon in the system tray at the top.
You can also hide those system icons if you really want to but more interesting is the
ability to rearrange your quick settings by long pressing and dragging them around the
screen or even deleting them.
If you want to know more about the System UI tuner check out my dedicated video on it
in the description and if you know of any non-root cool Android Marshmallow features
I've missed then share them in the comments below.
Right I think that's my quick settings editing complete. Looking a lot more clean and refined
don't you think?
OK, moving on. Ever noticed how sometimes when you click on a link your device will
give you the option to open that link within a dedicated app?
Well you can now control that through the app information screen under the Open by default
option.
In here if you tap on Open support links you have three options to Open by default, ask
to open with this app or never open with this app.
Again this useful for retrospectively changing app controls and how they interact with links.
And finally, I've saved the best cool feature until last. Pressing and holding the home
button launches Google Now, but now you can add some spice to that by going to the Google
Now settings, pressing on the Voice option and activating Now on tap.
Once done find something interesting to display on your device and press and hold the home
button. Your screen border will flash white and Google provide contextual options based
on what it finds. In this case the two tennis players playing in a particular event at a
particular venue. You can perform searches using any of the apps suggested. Isn't that
cool?
What’s also cool in that like and subscribe button. Thanks for watching and I’ll see
you all again soon.