Android's next incremental step will come in the form of a preview around Google's annual developers conference in June. Android 6.1 will make better use of Marshmallow's new permissions systems and will include split screen.
A source or two have told several Android news sites to expect Android 6.1 in June. This news shouldn't be taken as gospel and consumed without at least a few grains of salt.
Just a few days ago, Google's Pixel C Team engaged in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) in which the group confirmed that split screen is in the works for Android N. While that doesn't confirm split screen will arrive with Android 6.1, it's at least an evidence of Google's effort to have something to show for by the next Google I/O conference.
"We're working on lots of things right now for N that, of course, we wish we had, you know, yesterday," stated a Reddit post from the Pixel C team. "But we'd spoil the surprise of N if we shared all of them. Split screen is in the works!"
It's a feature that many feel has taken Android a long time to adopt, considering Microsoft and Apple have already delivered it to their users. In fact, Microsoft rolled it out roughly three years ago.
"We're working hard on a range of enhancements for Android in this form-factor - there are many things, like multiwindow, that we've been spending a lot of time on - hopefully we can share more about this soon," another post from the Pixel C team stated.
Along with the long-awaited split screen multitasking, there's that rumor about improving permissions in Android 6.1. The permission improvements are expected to have a heavy focus on app request present in screen overlays, which Google believes skirts the system in some instances.
These may be the two hallmark features of Android 6.1, which isn't expected to be a huge update from 6.0. Along with the split screen and improvements to the permissions system, Android 6.1 should include bug fixes.
