Android 6.0 Marshmallow update: BlackBerry Priv now ready for Android M beta

Blackberry PrivFacebook/Blackberry

While Google seems to already be in the final stages of its Android N development, some key players have yet to update completely to the current-gen Android Marshmallow. The latest to roll out an Android M beta is BlackBerry for their first-ever full Android flagship, the Priv.

According to 9to5Google, participants to BlackBerry's Android beta program have reportedly received notifications that an Android M beta version update will be forthcoming. Allegedly, a notification message only addressed to beta participants were sent by BlackBerry, announcing that a staggered release is already scheduled for the BlackBerry Priv. The tech manufacturer reportedly stated, "We will take a similar approach to how we brought people into the program when rolling out the software update: start with a small group, monitor for any critical issues, then expand to larger and larger groups. We expect to have everyone updated by the end of the week."

With the roll-out of the Android M version seemingly starting on schedule, it can be expected that the final, consumer version of Android Marshmallow will release for the BlackBerry Priv on time. Previously, when BlackBerry announced the Android M beta program, the company said that the development team expects the test and soak-up phase to last between 4-8 weeks. This places the final version of Android M to rollout for the BlackBerry device by end of May.

Although BlackBerry is seemingly on schedule with its Android M roadmap, the update is still late, according to some observers. Some flagships have already started rolling out Android M to their flagships as early as December last year, just months after Google rolled out the current-gen OS. In addition, Google has just released its second beta version for the new Android N platform, and speculations say that it may also arrive to non-Nexus test devices. This means that the Android platform will change into a new version sometime soon.