Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow Update Rolling Out With New Emojis and More

Google, as reported by users earlier in late November, has started rolling out Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update for its Nexus range. Notably, the Android 6.0.1 is the first major upgrade arriving since the Android 6.0 Marshmallow (previously Android M) released earlier this year. Additionally, Google has also released Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow factory images for the Nexus range.

The update brings support for the new set of emojis, as promised last week, and can be used on Google's Keyboard app that ships with the Nexus devices. The Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update specifically adds new emoji characters with full support for Unicode 7.0 and 8.0 emojis. The previously available emojis have also received visible tweaks in terms. A new version of Google Keyboard is part of the new update and it adds three new tabs for emoji listings including food, flags, and sports, something we also saw in the new version of WhatsApp.

Google confirmed the rollout in a tweet from official Twitter handle of Nexus and said, "We're celebrating new emojis on #Nexus which start rolling out today!"

Soon after announcing the update, Google also posted factory images of the latest update on the company's developer site. The update also brings with it the December Security Update for Android devices, as detailed on the Android Open Source Project page. The security update addresses several issues, the most severe of which is a critical security vulnerability that could enable remote code execution on an affected device through multiple methods such as email, web browsing, and MMS when processing media files.

Google added, "Partners were notified about and provided updates for these issues on November 2, 2015 or earlier. Source code patches for these issues will be released to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository over the next 48 hours."

The official site now lists factory images for the recently announced Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X alongside Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus 7 (2013), and Nexus Player as well. The factory images carry build number MMB29K for majority of devices; though Nexus 6P and Nexus Player have Factory Images with build MMB29M.

Apart from emojis, Android 6.0.1 also adds minor tweaks such as adding revamped navigation buttons for tablets with the Back and Home buttons now placed on the left edge of the display, and the Recent onscreen button on the right edge. Earlier, all the three navigation buttons were located in the centre. Another addition is the 'Until Next Alarm' setting in the Do Not Disturb mode, which was first seen in Android 5.1 Lollipop update.

Android Police in a new report claims that the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update also brings double-tap power camera launch shortcut for Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, and Nexus 9. The double-tap power camera launch was seen on the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P since launch.