If you own a ZenFone 2 Laser smartphone from Asus you will be pleased to learn that the handset has finally received the much-awaited Android 6.0 Marshmallow update.
The Android Marshmallow software update for the ZenFone 2 Laser is an over-the-air one and was pushed out by Asus on May 11. According to the release notes on the official Asus ZenTalk forum, the version is 13.10.6.16_M3.6.44.
Not only does the software update bring the Asus smartphone from Lollipop to Marshmallow, but the ZenFone 2 Laser with model number ZE500KL also benefits from the fact that the bloatware on the smartphone gets removed. Basically, over a dozen apps will not be pre-loaded on the ZenFone 2 Laser once users have updated their handset to the Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS.
The apps which will not be pre-loaded are as follows:
Photo Frame
ASUS Backup
PC Link
Omlet
Data Transfer
Dr. Safety
Yahoo Shopping
What's Next
EZ Ding
Party Link
Zinio
Remote Link
iReader
Puffin Browser
Google+
Dr.eye
TripAdvisor
Google settings (Integrated in ASUS Settings)
Mirror
The ZenFone 2 Laser is basically a variant of the ZenFone 2 and gets its name due to its laser autofocus module.
Earlier in April, we reported that the ZenFone 2 Laser had benefitted from a sizable update; however, users' excitement over the smartphone being Marshmallow was short-lived as it merely brought bug fixes and some enhancements. Thanks to the update, the smartphone's camera app got the Pano Sphere and Beautification modes, as well as the all-in-one app solution ZenChoice and the Android for Work option.
The current update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow also brings several new apps and features such as Google Messenger, Dr. Booster, and Google Calendar.
Prior to downloading the update, Asus has some handy advice for ZenFone 2 Laser users and suggests that they shift all their apps to internal storage. Why? It's because the software update will not offer support for APP2SD.
That is not all, post the Marshmallow update for the ZenFone 2 Laser, the OEM advises one to "remove Asus Email, Asus Calendar, Asus Messaging won't preload in this software version. You can use Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Messenger for relevant services."
Moreover, the update will also not offer support for multi-user functionality if the account gets deleted. Therefore, it is advisable to continue using one's account. Asus also cautions users that after the software update, the internal storage of the device will decrease. Thus, it is preferable to make data backups and transfer the images and videos or media files on to an SD card.
Since the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update is being pushed out in phases, it could be a while before you get the push notification for the OTA update. To check manually if your ZenFone 2 Laser has received the OS, navigate to Settings > About Device > Software Update > Check for Updates.
