Unlocked version of HTC One M8 will receive an Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system within this week.
The report came from the tweet of Mo Versi, VP of Product Management for HTC and who announces almost all of HTC's smartphone software updates, saying that Android M testing for One M8 has been completed. As for the One M9, it will receive the update any time soon and Versi will advise the public once the testing is complete, 9to5Google reported.
HTC is one of the companies that are open and transparent with the update process for its devices, and that has been especially true with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. In October they confirmed both the One M8 and One M9 would see Android 6.0 Marshmallow starting in December.
As with any software update, users should be looking to keep their batteries fairly charged up before proceeding with the update process. Since this is a major update, the download files are going to be pretty large, so installation over WiFi is also a strong recommendation, according to Gotta Be Mobile.
Owners can expect Google Now on Tap by long-pressing the home button. The handset will have an improved battery life with what Google is calling "Doze" that should give nearly 30 percent better battery life in some cases. Better security with monthly security patches will be included as well.
Enhanced volume controls, improved performance, new permission controls for even tighter security and more are expected. Small changes to its own Sense UI 7.0 software interface that covers stock Android 6.0 Marshmallow will also be present.
HTC plans to roll out the update to carrier variants of both One M8 and One M9 because very early next year wireless mobile carriers have a strict testing phase that all updates must go through, meet, and be approved before being released. The company says the Sprint One M8 is expected to get the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update as early as Jan. 4.