Android 6.0.1 is out, brings new emoji and redesigned bottom bar for tablets

Update: Factory images are now available for all devices getting the update.

Android 6.0.1 will be rolling out via an OTA update starting today to current Nexus devices. It brings new emoji, brings back an old do not disturb mode from Android 5.1, and a new bottom bar for tablets that moves the onscreen buttons to the sides of the screen.

As expected, emoji is the big star of this update and Ars Technica has a full gallery of them with accompany descriptions. In addition to new emoji, the old ones have been slightly redesigned, but they are still bulbous in appearance. A new version of Google Keyboard adds three new tabs for flags, sports, and food emoji. However, emoji in Android are still not as advanced as their iOS counterpart. Missing is the ability to edit the color of the emoji icons to specific skin tones.

Image from <em>Ars Technica</em>

6.0.1 sees the return of the “until next alarm” option for notifications in Do not disturb. Users might remember seeing this in Android 5.1, but was dropped in the initial version for Marshmallow. In slightly bigger updates, the bottom bar has been redesigned on Android tablets. The back and home button has been moved to the far left, while the multitasking switcher has been moved to the opposite side. This is very reminiscent of button bar as it was in Android Honeycomb and likely was done for usability reasons.

The OTA should be starting soon and the same devices that got Marshmallow (Nexus 5, 5X, 6, 6P, 7 2013, Player) will be receiving the update. We will update when Google releases their official blog post and when the system images are released.