How to download Android 6.0 Marshmallow (Final) factory images for Nexus 5,6,7,9/Nexus Player [Tip]

Android 6.0 now on tapGoogle announced that it would be launching the official Android 6.0 Marshmallow in the days ahead after the Google event last week where the Mountain View company launched two new smartphones in the Google Nexus 5X and the Google Nexus 6P. The annual large Android software update always coincides with a device release so those same devices can run the latest software out of the box. Launching the device with the new software adds to the attraction of buying the smartphone. Since Google owns the Nexus range and Android, they always put the latest software updates on the Nexus range of devices and that’s what makes them an attractive buy.

Suffice to say you can expect the latest Nexus 5C and Nexus 6P to come with the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow right out of the box. While that is great for those shopping for new Nexus devices, there is also great news for those who own the newer-older devices from the Google Nexus line up. Google has made the direct download links for 6.0 Marshmallow so you can install them manually on the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9 and the Nexus Player. Sadly those with a Nexus 10 tablet are out of luck today, as Google didn’t make the updates available to them. The other devices that didn’t make the cut include the original Nexus 7 from 2012 and the Nexus 4. According to Google, these three devices under the Nexus name will not ever see the Marshmallow update. However, owners of the Nexus 7 2012, Nexus 10 and the Nexus 4 can expect to still find future Android 5.1 Lollipop updates.

While the news of the three devices not included in the Marshmallow updates will get more Android 5.1 Lollipop updates is a positive, don’t expect many features coming your way with those updates. In fact, we can almost guarantee they won’t focus on anything but a few bugs and potential security patches.

Google didn’t comment on whether the Google Play Edition of products is getting the Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates. Google discontinued selling those devices earlier in the year. Nonetheless, it is surprising to see they aren’t on the good side of Google since they are so new. Typically speaking, a Google device will get software support for at least two years — we can assess that with the fate of the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S Nexus One, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 10.

As with all major Android software updates, Android 6.0 Marshmallow comes with some great new features. The largest feature is the addition of the Now on Tap Google Now inclusion. If it’s anywhere near as cool as the name, it should be popular. Here’s Google’s take on the Now on Tap addition to Google Now:

With Now on Tap, if you tap and hold down the home button of your Android phone, Google Now will show you quick info about the movie and restaurant and help you jump into the right apps to read reviews, see the menu, and reserve a table. Once you’re done, the back button will take you right back to your messaging app so you can respond to your friend.

Although we still have much to learn about some devices, you can download the 6.0 Marshmallow directly from the links below for the devices we do know it’s available. All you need to do is read the label over the link to see which link is the right one for you.

Download Android 6.0 Marshmallow direct from these links:

Once you have downloaded the direct Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory image, you can learn how to install it on your Google Nexus device.

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