Android TV 6.0 (Marshmallow) has started rolling out to Sony 2015 & 2016 TVs

The promised Marshmallow – version 6.0.1 – software update is finally available to install on Sony 2015 and 2016 TVs. The update fixes tons of bugs and adds some new features. It is rolling out now in the US.

Android TV 6.0 Marshmallow
Sony had promised to update all 2015 and 2016 Android TVs to version 6.0 but some owners had started to lose faith after waiting more than a year for the update. Well, it is finally here!

Google says that Android TV 6.0 includes mostly bug, performance, and security fixes to bring the TVs up to speed. However, it also includes new features such as external USB storage, improved search, a new “design concept”, interface tweaks, a “child mode”, a new audio volume bar, and more.

Furthermore, you can control which apps are allowed to push content to the recommendations row. The other rows (apps and games) can be re-organized.


All 2015 & spring 2016 TVs
The software update applies to all 2015 Sony TVs as well as spring 2016 models. The autumn 2016 models came pre-installed with version 6.0. A complete list of compatible TVs is available at the bottom.

It appears that the update is rolling out to 2015 models first, and only in the US and Asia region at the moment.  No word on Europe yet but we are following up with Sony.

- ” is scheduled to be released progressively after 7 December,” says Sony.

It is not clear how long it will take to reach all TVs but if you want it faster you can download it manually here and install it via a USB device. This download file may only work with 2015 TVs for now – we cannot confirm or deny at this point.

Some users are reporting that apps seem more responsive while some are reporting issues with getting 5.1 surround sound from Netflix after the update. See a list of changes below.

Android TV version 6.0 was released in late 2015 so it has taken over a year to arrive on the 2015 models. This is obviously not a sustainable model for the TV ecosystem in the long run. We hope that Sony will accelerate its work on future updates. Android TV version 7.0 – Nougat – was released in August 2016. Sony has yet to comment on version 7.0.

 
Compatible Sony TVs
  
2015 models:
Sony X94C, X93C, X91C, X90C, S85C, S80C, X85C, X83C, X81C, X80C, W95C, W87C, W85C, W80C, W75C
2016 models:
X94D (XD94), X93D (XD93), X85D (XD85), S85D (SD85), W9xxD, W8xxD
Sony Android TV ver. 6.0.1 changes
 
 
 New Design Concept: 
New design concept is introduced to screen design such as background image.


 
 HOME menu:
The same app icon is not displayed on both Featured apps and Apps at the same time.


 
 
HOME menu:
Location of Inputs is moved to the bottom of the HOME screen.


 
 For changing the HOME screen information, also see the following.

 
Volume adjusting bar: 
We moved the volume adjusting bar to the bottom left of the screen and made the picture easy to see.


Expansion of the built-in memory: 
You can move the downloaded games and apps to a USB memory device or HDD as an extended memory.
Displaying programs in each genre: 
When searching TV programs, programs are displayed by genre, such as drama, sports, or music, etc. This will enable you to search programs you want to see more easily. You can display the programs in each genre with the program check function and Genre program guide in the program guide application.

New design of Help menu: 
The Help menu displayed when the HELP button is pressed on the remote control will become user-friendly. You can get information you want much faster through illustrations and by category.

Fixes an issue with the aspect ratio in the ‘Video’ app
Other changes: 
For security reinforcement, licensing is necessary when using a USB device or microphone. If you try to use a device or microphone, the message for licensing is displayed on the screen. 
 
Performance: 
Lots of unspecified bug, performance and security fixes
- Source: Sony (1, 2)