Sony updates its “Concept for Android” initiative

Oct 7, 2015 11:27 GMT  ·  By

This summer, Sony launched the “Concept for Android” initiative in Sweden where it invited a select few Xperia Z3 owners (and Xperia Z3 Compact users) to try out a stripped-down version of Android 5.1 that comes enriched with popular Sony features baked directly into the OS.

Well, since Google has rolled out Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Sony is following suit and has just announced a Concept for Android update which will see the advent of a Marshmallow-based concept.

What’s more, Sony has extended the availability of the initiative to more countries, including Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, UK, Ireland, Germany, and of course, Sweden.

The trial is currently open to the first 10,000 Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact owners who express their willingness to participate and are based in the countries we have listed above. Selected candidates will be notified in the upcoming weeks.

Sony gives you a chance to have an early look at Marshmallow

The Custom theme represents Sony’s own take on Android 6.0 Marshmallow and will differ from the actual update that the company will roll out to its devices. Speaking of which, yesterday, the Japanese device maker officially announced which handsets are in line to receiving the new build.

If you missed the news yesterday, we’re taking the opportunity to remind you that the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, Xperia Z5 Premium, Xperia Z4 Tablet, Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compat, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia M5, Xperia C5 Ultra, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4 owners can expect to get the new software.

As you can see, the Xperia Z1 is not included in the list, although earlier leaks would have us believe that the phone was also destined to be bumped to the latest Google software. However, the producing company might change its mind at some point and grant Android 6.0 honors on the older phone, too.

Other Android OEMs have also announced their intention to update their handsets to Android 6.0, including HTC, LG and Motorola. Marshmallow is currently rolling out to Nexus devices and select Android One models.

Sony users, on the other hand, are still in for quite a wait, but if you have a Sony Xperia Z3 or Xperia Z3 Compact and reside in the countries mentioned above, you might get a taste of Marshmallow sooner.