Sony extends testing period for Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on Concept for Android

December 15, 2015

Editorial Note: Talk Android may contain affiliate links on some articles. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

sony_concept_android_601_marshmallow_update_testing

Sony's equivalent of a soak testing program, Concept for Android, has been receiving positive reviews from the company's development folks, so it is being extended into 2016. At the same time that Sony revealed they were not shutting down the program this week as originally planned, Sony also released an update for the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact to start testing Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on those devices.

With regard to the larger Concept for Android program, which gives a group of up to 10,000 users the ability to test builds of upcoming releases, the developers noted that testing is “going in a good way and think it would be a pity to end it already.” At this time, no official or even projected date to end the program has been suggested. Likewise, Sony has not set a date for the official release of their Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates, though the Concept for Android beta testing would presumably end when that point is reached.

Meanwhile, the new release for the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact move the Android version up to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and has been labeled MR1 for Maintenance Release 1. Sources familiar with the release indicate the only unique item they noted as changing has been the removal of an icon pack. The ability to customize the look via an “Icon appearance” setting is still present, but no optional icon packs are present.

sources: XperiaBlog 1, XperiaBlog 2

Jeff Causey Author

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, an LG G3, and a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Samsung Galaxy S8 and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). He is also using a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z Play Droid supplied by his job. Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active an active runner usually training for his next marathon, owns a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and plays Dungeons & Dragons. Jeff has three grown kids and a golden retriever.