Android 6.1 With Split-Screen Multi-Tasking Tipped to Launch in June

The next major version of Android is now said to arrive in June 2016 along with new features. The next major version of Android will reportedly be v6.1 and not version v7.

As per a report to the Android.gs website, Android 6.1 will bring along split-screen multitasking alongside better app permissions. Needless to say, Google has not confirmed anything about the next version and will likely not do so until its next Google I/O conference. Also, the June time-frame seems unlikely as the search giant does not have a fixed date every year for its 'dot' update. For instance, Android 5.1 Lollipop was launched in March last year. Even Android 4.4 KitKat got its last minor 'dot' update in June 2014.

While Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow is the latest version of Android currently, Android 6.0 Marshmallow is still being rolled out to most devices. To put in perspective the current adoption, we can refer to Google's own Android distribution numbers from earlier this month, where only 0.5 percent of active devices visiting Google Play where running Android Marshmallow.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow this week started rolling out to Moto X (Gen 2) aka Moto X (2014). Some of the new features of the core Android 6.0 Marshmallow update include revamped app permissions; Google Now on Tap feature; new Chrome feature that will change the Web experience for Android users; new ways to handle Web links; Android Pay mobile payment system; new fingerprint APIs for developers to add into their apps, New Silent feature for sound and vibrate mode as well as a 'Do Not Disturb' mode to block all sounds or only alarms and notifications, and battery saver features called Doze that will make Android devices smart about managing power.

Some devices including the Android One and Nexus handsets and tablets have already received Android 6.0.1 OS update. HTC is also supposed to bring the OS version to One A9.