Thanks to the developer beta, we’ve been able to see some of the new features in action, so let’s compare Android N with Marshmallow to see the differences between the two. Of course, we’ll have to wait for the final release before we can truly compare them, but the beta allows us to have a better idea of what’s in store.
1. What We Know so Far
It used to be that Android updates weren’t that frequent, though that’s going to change in the future with the growing popularity of the OS. Less time can lead to more bugs, but it’s all in the name of progress. Android N is expected to be officially announced and named in May, so we’ll bring you more information closer to the release date. Despite a few teething issues, Marshmallow has proven to be capable, bringing in a number of features that help during day to day use. It’s also slowly being introduced on a range of devices. Although it’s a developer beta, users are also welcome to download and try Android N. It has caused a few problems for some of the early adopters, and the problems stem from an update which can break the OS, and an inability to roll back to Marshmallow. However, these types of issues are likely to be cleared up by the time it’s properly released. It’s annoying for anyone affected, but it’s fair to say that these things happen during beta testing.
2. Design
Design is always going to be important, and it’s clear that there has been a focus on the way it looks and reacts to your touch. It’s even crisper on Android N, and the overall menus look even better than Marshmallow. There have been so many improvements to the general user experience. The notification system has been completely overhauled, making them faster and easier to use. (You can even reply to messages from within the notification menu.) There’s also a split-screen mode, which allows for multi-app functionality.
3. Usability & Differences
You certainly won’t be able to find these features on Marshmallow. There are other small improvements, that build on what was already started. Doze mode has been improved, while you’ll be able to install applications faster on the new OS. (Doze mode will now work on the go, so it’ll help to conserve your battery life even further.) You can even block numbers easily, and it makes for a more productive experience throughout. In short, the features make a lot of smaller tasks easier, and it eliminates the need for some of the third-party apps we use for greater functionality.
4. Android for Work
If you’re interested in using Android for Work, it’s being refined for Android N, with a number of new features being added to make it more viable. If you want to use your Android device at work the updates will be welcome, and it might be enough for businesses to consider using Android phones instead of some of the more established competitors. Check the article below if you want to learn more about Android for Work.
5. Marshmallow
Marshmallow is becoming more accessible for a large number of users, with companies like HTC and Huawei announcing that there will be a 6.0 rollout on specific devices over the last few months. (Other companies are updating devices at varying rates of speed.) Marshmallow originally released in October 2015, so there’s always a decent gap between a wider rollout of the new Android version. If you’re willing to wait, you could see Android N on your device, but it won’t be coming anytime soon. (Unless you have one of the flagship Nexus devices.) Considering that the majority of users will be unable to access the new release, Marshmallow will still do the job, but Android N looks like the real deal so far. If you want to see the Android N Developer Preview in action, here’s a video review;
Conclusion
Marshmallow is a great OS that many users haven’t even tried yet, but there’s always going to be a new kid on the block. Android N looks like a great contender to the throne, and you want the latest and greatest, it’s probably worth holding out for an official release. However, that doesn’t mean that Marshmallow won’t handle all of your needs, and it’s likely that more users will switch to Marshmallow instead of shelling out for one of 2016’s newest devices. That doesn’t mean that Android N isn’t worth making the leap for, but it’s still worth waiting until it’s closer to the official release date. If you have questions about Android N, or you just want to weigh in with your opinion, let us know in the comments below, or you can contact us via Facebook or Twitter. Featured Image Credit
