The HTC One E8 finally gets a taste of Marshmallow, as the highly anticipated update is now rolling out.

Flagship HTC smartphones started getting the update to the latest Android version a while ago, but the One E8 is more of a mid-ranger. Dubbed as the plastic version of the One M8, the One E8 launched back in 2014 and this may well be its last upgrade.

HTC first rolled out an interim update, aiming to prepare the smartphone for the upcoming Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow treat. This is a common practice, as many OEMs first release firmware upgrades and then push out the big software update.

The interim update for the HTC One E8 comes as the first of a two-part software package and carries build number 2.33.707.8, weighing in at 118 MB.

Once you download and install this interim update, you'll get a notification that software update number 3.07.707.1 is ready to download and install. This comes as the second part of the system update and is notably heftier, weighing in at 1.12 GB.

Since it's a big update and it takes a while to install, it's highly recommended to have your smartphone fully charged and connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network.

Once everything's ready, tap Install Now and the update will start unzipping and installing on your device. When the update completes, you will be prompted to update Google Play services. Just tap on the notification and you're good to go.

You'll then see a prompt to restore from backup, complete with a note that phone's running Android Marshmallow can only restore saved backups.

Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and HTC Sense 7.0 deliver a number of great features and allow for a cleaner, smoother and more personalized experience. The HTC One E8 seems to be working smoothly with the new software on board, with no hiccups apparent immediately after the upgrade.

It's worth pointing out, however, that automatically syncing your photos in a private backup folder on Facebook is no longer possible. No photos or screenshots synced to Facebook after the update, and after a little digging we found out that Marshmallow doesn't support it.

Unlike Facebook photo sync, Google Photos syncing continues to work just fine with Marshmallow. Simply select the folders you want to back up to Google Photos and each image within a selected folder will seamlessly go up to the cloud.

Features And Improvements

Of course, the most popular Marshmallow features, including Google Now on Tap. The contextually aware Now on Tap takes the virtual assistant to the next level, aiming to provide relevant information for the app you're currently on. To bring up this option, hold the home button while in an app. Now on Tap aims to complement the already helpful Google Now assistant.

Doze is also on board, ready to improve your smartphone's battery performance by implementing some cool optimizations.

When it comes to the HTC Sense 7 UI, meanwhile, things are more subtle. The new UI doesn't bring a slew of new features and major changes compared to Sense 6, it adds smooth improvements to make things work better. Refined icons, a cleaner look overall and customizable navigational controls for the stock BlinkFeed launcher are a few highlights, but nothing too spectacular. You'll notice various visual changes which, albeit subtle, make everything easier on the eye.

Update Availability

It remains to be seen just when the HTC One E8 in other markets will get the same treatment. HTC Source previously reported that Android Marshmallow was also headed to the One M8 Eye in China and Europe and the Desire Eye in Europe. As for the One E8, the publication said at the time that it was getting the update only in China at first, with other markets likely to follow by the end of the month. The update has now reached countries in Europe and more markets should follow soon.

This means that HTC One E8 users in the United States should start receiving the update soon as well. As a reminder, the One E8 was initially bound only for Asia and Eastern Europe, but later hit Sprint in the U.S.

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