A Sony Experia Z3 Compact Smartphone Is Pictured At The IFA Consumer Technology Fair In Berlin
A Sony Experia Z3 Compact smartphone is pictured at the IFA consumer technology fair in Berlin, September 5, 2014. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch

Sony has launched an ‘Xperia Beta Program’ compatible with Xperia Z2, Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact on Google Play Store. This indicates that Sony Mobile is preparing for its Android 6.0 Marshmallow software update.

Users can install the "Xperia Beta Program" from Google Play and take part in the program. Eligible device owners will be able to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

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Currently, the 'Xperia Beta Program' is available only in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

During the Marshmallow beta testing, owners of Xperia Z2 (D6503), Xperia Z3 (D6603) and Xperia Z3 Compact (D5803) models will be able to access the developers and give feedback on the overall experience of the firmware.

The software being tested will be a pre-released version of the official Android 6.0 Marshmallow, according to the Sony Xperia Blog. The communication between the actual users and the developers will help Sony get rid of the glitches before it reaches the public.

This is an important phase before releasing software to the masses. A firmware released without being tested may contain bugs which will eventually affect its performance.

Last October, Sony already opened the doors for beta testing program to more than 10,000 owners. The company announced that Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact owners in 11 European countries including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany can upgrade to Marshmallow through the test program.

The official Sony Mobile blog listed the eligible devices to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow in October 2015.

The company has confirmed that the firmware update will be rolled out to smartphones and tablets including including Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, Xperia Z5 Premium, Xperia Z4 Tablet, Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia M5, Xperia C5 Ultra, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4.