Newsletter
ASUS, who just recently announced the ZenWatch 3 earlier this morning, is now sending an update out to the ZenFone 2 which is starting to receive the software update to Android Marshmallow. This includes variants with the model number ZE550ML and ZE551ML. The update to Marshmallow comes nearly three months after the same update was pushed out the ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser and ZenFone Max, so it might seem a bit strange that the original ZenFone 2 models are just now getting the software bump from Android Lollipop. Nevertheless, this is sure to delight owners of these two device variants as they can now have access to the improvements that come along with Android 6.0, the least of which is certainly not the battery improvements.
Speaking of battery improvements, thanks to Doze Mode and App Standby, which are two features that are included with the Marshmallow software, the ASUS ZenFone 2 will be able to better manage the battery life throughout the day for its users. Interestingly enough, ASUS giveth and ASUS taketh away, as not only are they adding a slew of benefits with this update through the enhancements of the software, but they’re also removing quite a few apps from the pre-installed list that will no longer be on the device once the Marshmallow software is installed. These include some of the apps from ASUS themselves like ASUS Backup, and ASUS Game Center, as well as a few from Google like Google Play Books, Google Play Games, and Google Play Newsstand, plus various others.
While a wide list of apps are being taken away, other apps are being included after the update is finished, like Facebook, Google Calendar, Messenger from both Google and Facebook, and Instagram. Since this is Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google’s Now on Tap feature will finally be included and so will more granular permissions control, which means that users will no longer have to accept the permissions for apps before they download them, and instead will have the opportunity to accept them upon opening them to use the app’s services and features. The file size for the download weighs in at about 1.19GB, so as usual it’s a good idea to download the software update while connected to a local Wi-Fi network and make sure that your device has at least 50 percent battery life before starting the download.