A Mobile Phone Shop Displaying HTC Smartphones In Taipei
Customers look at HTC smartphones in a mobile phone shop in Taipei in this July 30, 2013 file photo. Reuters/Pichi Chuang

HTC Vice President Mo Versi has confirmed the “Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow” update for the One A9 and “Android 6.0 Marshmallow” firmware is set for the One M9 via its Twitter account.

Not long ago, HTC acknowledged that the tech giant will send out Android updates “within 15 days” from the time Nexus handsets receive the firmware. Following the announcement, the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update for HTC One A9 will apparently be rolled out before the end of this year.

Apart from the One A9, the VP has also confirmed the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update schedule for HTC One M9 as “sometime in December.” On the other hand, the erstwhile flagship HTC One M8 has started receiving the Marshmallow update, GSM Arena noted.

The monthly security patch for December will also be packed along with the Android 6.0.1 update, another GSM Arena report noted. Nexus devices, meanwhile, can download the firmware by flashing the factory images. In any case, the OTA rollout will commence shortly.

Speaking of features and changes, tons of killer emojis have been added to the firmware update. Some of the emojis include "hugging face," "thinking face," "rolling eyes," "zipper-mouth face" and "nerdy face," to name a few. The entire set of emojis can be checked out from ARS Technica.

The Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update also brings in change to the navigation buttons location. In addition, the “Do Not Disturb” functionality has also gone through some enhancements.

To top it all off, this firmware update also comes bundled with a new version of “Google keyboard.” The search giant’s own Nexus lineup of handsets comes pre-installed with this app. However, other Android devices may have to wait a little longer. This is precisely because the latest version of the keyboard app needs an update to accommodate the new emoji layout. This update will reportedly be sent via Google Play Store.

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