Android 6.0.1 update brings a slew of new emojis, redesigned navigation bar for tablets and more

BY Rajesh Pandey

Published 7 Dec 2015

Nexus 6P front

Google today announced the roll out of Android 6.0.1 update for Nexus devices that adds support for a ton of new emojis to the OS. Additionally, Google has also tweaked the navigation bar layout on tablets and re-introduced a feature in the Do Not Disturb mode with this update.

The list of new emojis being introduced with this update is huge, and Google has also redesigned many of the existing emojis. You can find a gallery of the new emojis being introduced with this update over at Ars Technica.

The Android 6.0.1 update also contains a new version of Google Keyboard that supports these emojis. Thanks to an increase in the total number of emojis, the emoji tab bar in Google Keyboard has grown from seven tabs to 10.

For Android tablets, the change in the navigation bar layout is going to be huge. Previously, Google kept the back, home and overview button right in the middle of the navigation bar that lead to usability issues since unlike smartphones, the navigation bar on Android tablets was pretty huge. With the Android 6.0.1 update, Google has repositioned the back and home button to the left side of the navigation bar, while the overview button is on the right. This layout will make it easier to use press the buttons from your thumb while you are holding the tablet.

Lastly, Google has reintroduced the “until next alarm” option in the “Do Not Disturb” mode. As the name suggests, selecting the option will put your phone in silent or priority mode until the net scheduled alarm in your phone rings.

Google has also merged the December security update with the Android 6.0.1 update.