Surprisingly, nobody seems to have posted anything about this yet. First impressions? Unfortunately, I have to wait until Nexus Root Toolkit supports rooting, because I'm not confident in doing that manually myself. Anyhow, here is a good overview of what's new: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/10/android-6-0-marshmallow-thoroughly-reviewed/
Well I guess very few Android users can upgrade to Marshmallow yet. My current Android phone has not ever recevied any OS updates and I'm stuck with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. My new Meizu M2 which I'll receive any day now, comes with Android 5.1, but I don't know it will recieve an upgrade to Marshmallow. Most likely, it will in time. That of course is the biggest problem with Android. It's up to the individual manufacturers to release updates.
I would recommend manual methods first as if something "auto" breaks [your phone], then what? Well-documented and tested procedures abound (I like xda-developers). Read them and the experiences others have with those procedures to gain the knowledge you need to modify your phone. If there are issues, they'll be discussed. Between that, bloatware, and bootloader locks, I'll be sticking with Nexus. Check for custom ROMs for your device. Personally, I'm sticking with KK since I really don't like L. Xprivacy isn't fully working on L (last I looked anyway), which is a show-stopper for me. Its hard to upgrade phone OS when I have my customized to exactly how I want it.
J_L, Used NRT to upgrade my N5 to Marshmallow and everything is running fine so far (using no wipe feature). You're right though, was not able to root using NRT so currently running unrooted.
Marshmallow looks great! Many needed changes, especially the permissions! But for me, things in the Android universe have become more than a non jail breaker can deal with. I have loved my Androids. Have even told many I know I would marry my Galaxy's if I could have. But the update fragmentation has become intolerable for me. After years of never getting the latest patches and or OS updates until months after they were initially created, I've jumped to the Cupertino side of the fence for my phone. I'll still keep a toe in the Android water for a tablet. But since it's a Samsung, it will be a long time before it gets patched, if ever...
Did brick my phone once, but NRT recovered it pretty much the same way as updating. It is based on the manual methods after all. With my current knowledge, I'm afraid breaking the phone is far more likely due to human error than with an "auto" tool. I may try to find a good guide for the stock kernel if NRT takes too long to update. Good to know, I look forward to trying it out myself.
I'm already running a custom MIUI ROM. There are no custom roms with a more recent version of Android. Nexus phones are way too expensive for me.
@J_L My budget is extremely limited at the moment, and there is no way I would spend that much on a phone. I just purchased a Meizu M2 from China for $130. It is more than adequate for what I need to use it for, and has quite decent specs including Android 5.1, 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM and a Samsung camera sensor. It also gets regular OTA updates. Meizu is one of the top Chinese brands of phones.
I'd be a bit happier if google would at least re-enable the permissions manager since older devices like the nexus 4 won't be receiving this update. I'm mauling over using the nexus 4 to practice rooting and install custom roms, since I'm very much an android newby. Looking at the black-phone as my primary, simply because: I've read that it will receive timely updates like nexus devices. Still researching to see if that is true. Doesn't come with all the bloatware, launchers, etc. like other android devices. . I don't feel comfortable enough to root and install custom. I hear what your saying, my budget is pretty tight as well. I'm also having to maul over getting a new laptop, since my current computer is going on six years. It's been a workhorse considering that it's been my primary computer for school and everything else. If google would get around to pushing boot from USB to the chrome-books, than I'll probably go with a higher end chromebook like the pixel 2. I'm such a tight wad that the idea of spending this much in a short period has me on the verge of tears.
Rooting is really easy. Just use Kingo Root, and it's basically as simple as connecting your phone to your computer and pressing the root button. Installing custom ROMs is also usually not too hard. If you have a look at Needrom, the ROMs usually come with adequate instructions on how to install them.
Windows Phone, receiving free update to 10 soon . But the real reason to buy a Windows Phone is price, battery life, seamless integration with other Windows devices (mail etc) and availability off line Maps and Language libraries. Battery life of windows Phones exceeds that of other phones by far. During last travel I uses 635 offline maps for navigation all day, due to limited access of Wifi or on-line time was the same as Wife with Z3 Compact, so the one year old 635 was definetely heavier used as the half year old Experia Z3 (with 50% larger battery). Can't compre with Apple, but 635 Windows Phone is nearly as fast as the Z3 with double clock frequency. Other advantage: when you forget your phone in a shabby place, it is returned to you. Nobody wants to have a Windows Phone
Completely agree with roger_m. Kingo root is very stable in my experience but i prefer NexusRootToolkit by Wugfresh for Nexus's only. I have also used NRT for all subsequent ROM Management. Again, very safe and manageable, even in the event that you may brick your phone for whatever reason. NRT can recover it and even make backups. I have no experience with the BlackPhone, but the Ubuntu Rom also interests me and obviously CyanogenMod as mentioned earlier. regards.
Since SELinux is enforced, the stock kernel has to be modified or replaced. I'm not completely against automated tools (I use Chainfire's CF-Auto-Root when possible) but I use them only after understanding how to do it manually. One potential pitfall: If a tool were to assume a completely stock phone and I used it, it would modify the bootloader (which mine is already unlocked) which would factory reset the phone. I still enjoy the N5. Unfortunately, I don't think Google is offering mid-range right now, a mistake I think. Google's permissions handling is a joke. Xprivacy is the only way to grant/deny permissions with granularity and without breaking apps (It provides fake data rather than denying permission).
For updates nexus is not the only option . There are moto devices as well as android one devices . Much better than any chinese phone you may buy .
hi does 5.1.1 run on a galaxy s2 ?? Hi Rollo but the nexus is made only by lg , because i have seen in the store several motorola nexus hi does unlocked mean rooted? thanks
Not necessarily. Unlocked means the bootloader is free to be (temporarily or permanently) modified, replaced, or whatnot. Rooted means you have admin rights to the system.
A more practical definition: "An unlocked cell phone is a mobile phone that can be readily used on any GSM network of the owner's choosing. This means that the owner can slide in a SIM card from any wireless carrier in his or her region to start making calls, surfing the Internet, and benefiting from any of the services available on that carrier's network for its customers.", from http://www.ebay.com/gds/What-Is-an-Unlocked-Cell-Phone-/10000000178258720/g.html.