# Android Marshmallow

> sixth major version of the Android operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q19862344](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19862344)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Marshmallow)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/android-marshmallow

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Android Marshmallow**:

---

## Summary  
Android Marshmallow is the sixth major version of the Android operating system, developed by Google and released in 2015. It introduced features like granular app permissions, Doze mode for battery optimization, and native fingerprint support. As part of the Android Open Source Project, it succeeded Android Lollipop and was followed by Android Nougat.

## Key Facts  
- **Release date:** Initial preview launched May 28, 2015; stable versions 6.0 and 6.0.1 followed on October 5 and November 21, 2015, respectively.  
- **Developer:** Google and the Open Handset Alliance.  
- **Predecessor:** Android Lollipop (2014).  
- **Successor:** Android Nougat (2016).  
- **Version numbers:** 6.0, 6.0.1, and M preview.  
- **License:** Free software under the Android Open Source Project.  
- **GUI framework:** Material Design.  
- **Platforms:** ARM architecture, MIPS architecture, x86.  
- **Package management:** Google Play and APK.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What are the key features of Android Marshmallow?  
A: Key features include granular app permissions, Doze mode for battery savings, native fingerprint API, and Google Now on Tap for contextual assistance.  

### Q: Which devices run Android Marshmallow?  
A: It runs on devices like the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Samsung Galaxy S7, Huawei P9 Lite, and LG G5, among others.  

### Q: How does Android Marshmallow improve battery life?  
A: It introduced Doze mode, which reduces background activity when the device is idle, significantly extending battery life.  

## Why It Matters  
Android Marshmallow marked a shift toward user-centric improvements in privacy and performance. Its granular permissions system gave users finer control over app access, addressing growing privacy concerns. Doze mode set a new standard for battery optimization in mobile OSes, later adopted widely. The native fingerprint API paved the way for biometric authentication in mainstream Android devices. As part of Android’s evolution, Marshmallow refined the Material Design language and strengthened Google’s ecosystem integration, influencing subsequent versions.

## Notable For  
- **Granular permissions:** First Android version to allow runtime app permission controls.  
- **Doze mode:** Introduced advanced battery optimization for idle devices.  
- **Native fingerprint support:** Standardized biometric authentication APIs.  
- **Material Design refinements:** Enhanced UI consistency and usability.  

## Body  
### Release Timeline  
- **Developer Preview (M preview):** May 28, 2015.  
- **Stable 6.0:** October 5, 2015.  
- **Stable 6.0.1:** November 21, 2015.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Platforms:** Supports ARM, MIPS, and x86 architectures.  
- **Package formats:** APK installation via Google Play or sideloading.  
- **GUI:** Material Design framework.  

### Notable Devices  
- **Google Nexus series:** Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P.  
- **Samsung:** Galaxy S7, Galaxy Note 7.  
- **LG:** LG G5, LG X Cam.  
- **Huawei:** Honor 8, P9 Lite.  

### Features  
- **Runtime permissions:** Users grant permissions when apps request them.  
- **Doze mode:** Reduces background activity during inactivity.  
- **Google Now on Tap:** Context-aware assistance from any screen.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Android Marshmallow",
  "description": "Sixth major version of the Android operating system.",
  "url": "http://www.android.com/versions/marshmallow-6-0/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20685570",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Marshmallow"
  ],
  "operatingSystem": "Android",
  "softwareVersion": "6.0",
  "datePublished": "2015-10-05",
  "developer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Google"
  },
  "license": "https://source.android.com/"
}

## References

1. [android-6.0.1_r81 - platform/build - Git at Google](https://android.googlesource.com/platform/build/+/android-6.0.1_r81)
2. [Android M Developer Preview & Tools. 2015](https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2015/05/android-m-developer-preview-tools.html)