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About a week ago Google released Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 for Nexus devices including the Nexus 6.  Today T-Mobile has begun rolling it out to customers with Nexus 6’s on their network via an OTA update.  There are a few notable changes in 6.0.1 which you can read about here but the bigger picture here is the speed at which T-Mobile got this update out to their customers.  I, along with countless others in the tech writing community, have harped on endlessly about how long it takes carriers to push out updates after Google releases them.  T-Mobile, for their part, is getting the job done and getting it done fast.  That will only benefit their customers who will have up-to-date software and the latest security fixes.  Contrast this with another major carrier here in the US, AT&T, who have still not pushed out Marshmallow 6.0 to their Nexus 6 customers.

But I digress…

Of particular importance to T-Mobile users, this update to Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 contains support for the carrier’s LTE Band 12, which will give better throughput in buildings and rural areas.  I have upgraded my unlocked Nexus 6 to 6.0.1 and can confirm through LTE Discovery that Band 12 is supported.

The Google Store has really stepped up in this final week before Christmas with a great bonus for those who are looking at picking up any hardware from the Google Play Store.  Now through December 22nd, you will get free overnight shipping on any purchase made from the store.  The good thing is, it is on everything in the store.  If you are looking to pick up some USB Type-C cables, cases or a new Nexus 6P or Pixel C, the free shipping applies.  That could save you some big bucks and assure you that you get that gift for that special someone in time for the holidays.

To get the free shipping all you need to do is make a purchase.  The free shipping is automatically applied and rest assured that if you are buying a gift for someone and they want to return it, they are accepted up to January 22, 2016.

But wait, there’s more!

In the latest update to Google Wallet, you now have the ability to send money to friends and family via their email address or SMS.  The update, which is in the Google Play Store and rolling out now, adds a key functionality to the app which by-and-large was replaced by Android Pay back in September.  Wallet is now more focused on sending and receiving funds from individuals while Android Pay is focused on the retail point of purchase.

The update to Google Wallet is version 12.0 for those keeping score at home and is designed for Android phones.  Prior to this update, the person you were sending funds to had to have an email address.  You can still send funds that way if you want but if you only have someone’s mobile number, you can simply send them the funds to that number.

Google Wallet – Free – Download Now

As a Google Docs user and one who is constantly on the go, I find myself doing more document creating and editing on my Nexus 6 and Nexus 7 than I do within Chrome.  One glaring gap between the web version and the Android version however was document templates in all of the Docs suite:  Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Sheets.  That gap is filled now in the latest update to all three apps, bringing to your phone or tablet templates to make your document creating faster and easier.

Starting now, when you go to create a new document, spreadsheet, or presentation on your Android or iOS device (by clicking the red “+” button in the bottom right corner of your screen), you’ll be given the option to choose a template. These templates will be the same as those available to you in Docs, Sheets, and Slides on the web, including a meeting agenda, pitch deck, expense report, and more.

No longer do you have to go to the website to do this – a big benefit if you are working offline on your phone or tablet and when you need to create new content.

If you are considering a move to the Google apps over Microsoft Office, you may want to take a look at my 4-part series on my transition over the summer.

My Migration to Google Docs Part 1 – The Setup

My Migration to Google Docs Part 2 – Google Docs on All The Toys

My Migration to Google Docs Part 3 – Between the Google Sheets

My Migration to Google Docs Part 4 – Sliding to Google Slides