Android 5.0 Lollipop

If there’s one smartphone manufacturer punching above the rest to provide the latest software from Google to the greatest amount of customers, it’s Sony. The company posted to its blog today that not only is Android 5.1 Lollipop rolling out to the whole series of Xperia Z-Z3 phones as well as the Xperia ZL, ZR, and Tablet Z right now, but July will be the beginning of a Lollipop rollout for even more devices.

First, in July the Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia C3 will get the update. Then starting “a little after we’ve made the update available for the Xperia Z Series,” the M2 and M2 Aqua will go directly to Android 5.1.

The company says to hang tight for more updates on each of these rollouts (noting that timing may vary by market and/or carrier) and follow them @SonyMobileNews on Twitter for information as its released, or keeping checking the blog. We’ll continue to keep you posted on these rollouts as well.

Verizon LG G Pad 10.1 LTE receiving bump to Android Lollipop

Tom Maxwell Jun 3 2015 - 7:57 pm PT

The Verizon LTE variant of the LG G Pad 10.1 was released last November, which can feel like a long time ago here on the Internet, but Verizon hasn’t forgotten about owners of the tablet as it’s now receiving an update that sees its software version bumped to the 5.0.2 version of Android Lollipop. The actual software version number of the tablet, since of course LG has its own skin (albeit a light one) over Lollipop, is now VK70022A.

First, the UI elements specific to LG’s layer have been updated to fall in line with Google’s Material Design suggestions, and everything you’d expect from Lollipop is there as well: Smart Lock for authenticating the device when other trusted devices are nearby, notifications on the lock screen, the Interruptions menu which provides granular control over which app notifications light up your device, as well as Floating Action Buttons and the Screen Pinning feature. The notifications panel has also been completely redesigned and displays both notifications and quick settings within the panel.

The update should be rolling out over-the-air now but carrier OTA releases are notorious for taking a week or two to reach everybody, so hang tight if you don’t see it in your system updates.

‘Blocks’ has a new modular smartwatch prototype w/ Snapdragon 400, crowdfunding to begin in ‘summer’ [Gallery]

Stephen Hall Jun 2 2015 - 10:04 am PT

We first told you about the Blocks modular smartwatch earlier this year when we reported that the company had been in talks with Google about a potential partnership with the Ara team for cross-platofrm modules. A few months have passed since Blocks demoed their prototype at CES in January, and today they’re out to show the world the latest developments — and in just a few months, it looks like they’ve come a long way…
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Android Lollipop adoption inches past 12% in May, KitKat and Jelly Bean still holding strong

Stephen Hall Jun 1 2015 - 11:55 am PT

It’s the top of the month, and that means it’s time for another update from Google on Android’s adoption numbers. Lollipop, the latest release, has just in the last 30 days crept up to pass 12% adoption, following an overall market share of 9.7% that 5.0 and later had at the beginning of last month. Specifically, Android Lollipop now has 12.4% of the Android market.
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Verizon’s Galaxy Tab S 8.4 LTE receiving OTA update to Lollipop

Tom Maxwell Jun 1 2015 - 9:56 am PT

As first reported by Android Police and listed on a Samsung support page for the Galaxy Tab S 8.4, it seems that Verizon’s variant of the tablet is now receiving an OTA update to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.

The software version for the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 becomes T707VVRU1BOD4, and to check if the Lollipop update has reached your device you need to open your Settings app and select About device.

We would’ve hoped this update would be to 5.1.1, as earlier 5.0 versions have been known to cause a bevy of problems for many devices, but alas we can only hope that Samsung did extensive enough testing to fish out any significant problems.

Smart Lock Passwords is hitting pre-Android M devices now, web interface live

Tom Maxwell May 29 2015 - 11:49 am PT

We reported earlier today that support for Smart Lock Passwords, a new cross-platform password manager tool for Android and Chrome/OS, was already beginning to hit major apps including Netflix. Now it seems that the greater rollout is pushing on quickly, with the web interface now live and reports spreading that Smart Lock Passwords is showing up in the Settings app of Android 5.1 Lollipop devices for some owners.

By visiting passwords.google.com you can toggle Smart Lock for Passwords on and off depending on whether or not you want to save app and website passwords to your Google account. The benefit of using Smart Lock for Passwords, especially if you’re a Google loyalist, is that it’s a simple, clean way to save login credentials for all the apps and websites you visit using Chrome and Android and log in automatically. I also imagine it’s a scary addition for apps like 1Password which, while now have many other features to differentiate themselves, initially built their businesses off saving login credentials in one place. Saving login credentials and not other things like credit card details and drivers license info is probably enough for the average person, too.

As mentioned above there have also been reports of Smart Lock Passwords hitting the Settings area of some Android phones running newer versions of Android 5.0 and Google Play Services. This would lead us to believe that it’s either a server-side change or Google had hidden Smart Lock Passwords in a recent version of Play Services, but it’s probably the former. Here is what that looks like courtesy of AndroidPolice:

Be sure to watch out for the change and let us know if Smart Lock Passwords hits your device.

Android 5.1 is rolling out to 2014 Moto X Pure Edition owners in the US

Tom Maxwell May 28 2015 - 8:24 am PT

Thanks to a Reddit user in /r/MotoX who posted the image above, we’re now pretty sure that Android 5.1 Lollipop is rolling out OTA to owners of the Moto X Pure Edition.

Multiple users have entered the thread to confirm that the update has been hitting their 2014 Pure Edition devices this morning, mostly owners on T-Mobile.

This update comes shortly after 5.1 began rolling out to Moto X (2nd gen) and Moto E LTE users on U.S. Cellular. Unlike that rollout, we haven’t heard much from Motorola Senior Director of Software Development David Schuster on whether or not this rollout to the bloatware-free variant of the Moto X is wide or happening in some sort of soak test, but it seems like at the very least T-Mobile has green-lighted the update.

One user has also already posted the OTA link here which you can download and then install using our guide.

Android 5.1 rolling out to U.S. Cellular Moto X (2nd gen) and Moto E LTE

Tom Maxwell May 26 2015 - 2:24 pm PT

We recently heard from Motorola Senior Director of Software Development David Schuster that the company was working on testing and rolling out Android 5.1 Lollipop to the Moto X (2nd gen) and Moto E LTE, and sure enough it appears that U.S. Cellular customers should see the update hit their devices pretty soon.

According to an Android software page on U.S. Cellular’s website, the build number for Lollipop on the 2nd generation Moto X is LPE23.32-21 while for the Moto E LTE it is LPI23.29-15. Since this is an over-the-air update you’ll need to be connected to WiFi to download the software update. To check if the update is available for your device yet, open the Settings app, select About Phone, and then System Updates. If it’s rolled out to you then you’ll see information about the update and be able to begin the installation process from this screen.

Android 5.1.1 w/ support for WiFi calling to begin rolling out to T-Mobile Nexus 6 this weekend

Chance Miller May 22 2015 - 4:42 pm PT

Following the leak of a Sprint document claiming that its Nexus 6 model would receive Android 5.1.1 on May 26th, T-Mobile announced today that it will begin to rollout the update to its variant this weekend. T-Mobile employee Des Smith made the announcement via Twitter and confirmed that Android 5.1.1 on the Nexus 6 will include support for WiFi calling.

Internal Sprint document suggests Android 5.1.1 for Nexus 6 coming May 26

Stephen Hall May 22 2015 - 2:36 pm PT

A newly-leaked internal Sprint document (via Android Police) suggests that Android 5.1.1 for the Nexus 6 is right around the corner. Specifically, build LMY47Z for Google’s 5.92-inch flagship will be released on May 26th, 2015, according to the leak. Features of the update—as has been the case with the other 5.1.1 releases—include “general updates” and “security enhancements.”

The Nexus 6 is the final Nexus device yet to receive the latest version of Android, while even the cellular Nexus 7 models have gotten the latest version (notable because the cellular tablets typically take the longest to be updated). This date would put the release of 5.1.1 for the Nexus 6 right before Google I/O kicks off on the 28th (which will likely bring the introduction of Android “M”).

We’re keeping an eye on our phones and the factory image download page as always.

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update is rolling out to the Moto G (1st Gen)

Tom Maxwell May 21 2015 - 11:05 am PT

Moto G (1st gen) users, your time has come – to update to Android Lollipop, that is. And we’re talking about 5.0.2 here, but that’s better than nothing, right? The release notes went up on Motorola’s website today and many individuals in the /r/MotoG subreddit have been reporting over the past few hours that they’re starting to receive the update.

Some might remember that it was as far back as February when Motorola promised the update was coming for first-gen users “really soon.” Better late than never. Let us know if you spot the update yourself.

Android Lollipop for Sprint’s HTC One E8 rolling out now

Stephen Hall May 21 2015 - 8:36 am PT

Almost daily, Android Lollipop makes its way to yet another slew of handsets across a variety of carriers. Yesterday, HTC’s Mo Versi (the guy who is basically the bringer of all the update joy to HTC device owners) came out to say that Sprint’s HTC One E8 has been approved for Lollipop and that the update would begin rolling out “tomorrow.” Well, tomorrow is today.

HTC One (E8) Sprint owners! Lollipop update has arrived! TA received and OTA to start tomorrow. Thanks, Mo

— Mo Versi (@moversi) May 21, 2015

If you’re an owner of the Sprint HTC One E8, be sure to keep an eye on your phone for the software to roll out over-the-air. If you’re the owner of another important device that has yet to receive Android Lollipop, keep your eyes on this space. Even though we’re going into Google I/O 2015 next week with some devices still not updated, it’s only a matter of time before your handset gets Lollipop, too.

It won’t be long before we’re doing Android “M” rollout posts.

Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 begins shipping tomorrow, May 21st

Tom Maxwell May 20 2015 - 1:41 pm PT

Pre-orders for the Alcatel Idol 3, which opened up on April 21st through Amazon and Alcatel’s official website, are now set to beginning shipping tomorrow, May 21st (the same day the company begins selling the device in the US). The Idol 3 is a budget Android smartphone packing a 5.5-inch 1080p display, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM and a 1.7GHz processor, and runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop out of the box. The phone will cost you $279.99 unlocked with no contract, but only sells unlocked in the US anyway so no option of carrier subsidies if you want this one.

In our review we called Alcatel’s OneTouch Idol 3 a “solid budget smartphone for 2015.” Click over to read the full written review, or check out the video review below.

Android 5.1.1 OTA image for Nexus 4 is now available, here’s how to install it (Update: Nexus 5, too)

Stephen Hall May 20 2015 - 10:01 am PT

Update: The OTA download link is now available for the Nexus 5 as well.

Android 5.1.1 been making its way to most Nexus devices over the last few weeks, and now it’s time for the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 to get a chance at the fun. The factory images still haven’t been uploaded to Google’s developers’ website, but some Nexus 4 and 5 owners are already receiving the update to 5.1.1 over-the-air and have kindly shared the download links—meaning you can get the update right now straight from Google’s servers and sideload it via ADB.
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Verizon employee says Android 5.1 coming to Droid Turbo in ‘mid-June’

Stephen Hall May 20 2015 - 9:37 am PT

A Verizon employee has taken to his Google+ profile to share that the Motorola DROID Turbo (which is exclusive to the red carrier) will be getting its update to Android 5.1 Lollipop at some point in “mid-June.”

He also opened up about why updates to Verizon phones can sometimes take a while:

Verizon delays on latest smartphones are due to Nationwide HD Voice. We want to make sure Software updates for HD Voice service is acceptable and does not impact voice quality. Verizon is the only company that has nationwide HD Voice in the USA. AT&T just has most metro cities here and there. T-Mobile and Sprint are way behind.

Apparently, the fact that Verizon has Nationwide HD voice sets some of the company’s software updates back a bit. Android Lollipop as a whole, though, has been very slowly rolling out to several devices across various carriers for just about 6 months now, so this isn’t exactly surprising.

We’ll let you know when the update is rolling out.

Several new firmware updates now available for Galaxy A7, Galaxy Core Prime, more

Stephen Hall May 15 2015 - 1:46 pm PT

Samsung likely has more devices to update than most smartphone manufacturers, and as such, they’re constantly pushing out updates to their never-ending list of handsets. Sometimes these are bigger updates—like a firmware update to Android 5.0 Lollipop—but more often they’re just very minor version bumps to fix bugs and close minor security holes.

SamMobile keeps track of all of these updates to Samsung’s handsets, and their latest list of recent updates includes firmware spanning Android 4.0 all the way to Android 5.0.2. Devices include the Galaxy A7, Galaxy Core Prime, Galaxy Ace 4 LTE, and more. Many of these are updates to devices in international locales, but at least one, the US Cellular Galaxy S6 Edge, is for a United States device.

Motorola starts soak testing Android 5.1 for the first-gen Moto E

Stephen Hall May 15 2015 - 8:38 am PT

We told you a couple days ago that Android 5.1 had started rolling out to the 2015 Moto E, but now it looks like Motorola is soak testing the same version of Android for its much older first generation Moto E.

As per the change log on the company’s Indian support website:

We are excited to announce a new software update for Moto E (1st Gen.) by Motorola. This update brings Android™ 5.1 Lollipop to your phone along with other improvements.

For now the update is only hitting devices in India, but this means that it will almost surely be hitting other locales around the world soon. Android 5.1 includes support for multiple SIM cards, new device protection features, high definition voice calling, and more.

Android 5.1 Lollipop now rolling out to second generation Moto E

Chance Miller May 13 2015 - 5:42 pm PT

According to several users on XDA, Motorola this evening has started rolling out Android 5.1 to the second generation Moto E. The update, since the Moto E is sold off-contract, should hit all users of the phone, on all carriers, at the same time.

Boost Mobile launches stylus-equipped 5.7″ LG G Stylo, coming soon to Sprint + Prepaid

Zac Hall May 13 2015 - 10:25 am PT

Sprint today announced a new stylus-equipped Android phablet option for its subscribers, starting with its Boost Mobile customers and coming soon to Sprint Prepaid and Sprint contract customers. The LG G Stylo is now available to purchase for $199 without a credit check or service contract for use with Boost Mobile plans which start $30/month ($35 without auto-renew) and include unlimited talk and text and up to 10GB of data.

LG G Stylo’s affordable price gets you a large 5.7-inch HD display with Gorilla Glass 3, Android 5.0 Lollipop for up-to-date software, an 8MP back camera and a 5MP selfie cam, plus a 1.2GHz quad-core processor and 3,000mAh removable battery…
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YotaPhone 2 adds white color option to AMOLED + E-ink display hardware, Lollipop update rolling out

Zac Hall May 13 2015 - 7:43 am PT

The intriguing and unique YotaPhone 2 may not be quite ready for the United States just yet, but there will be a new color option and a significant software update for the half AMOLED, half electronic paper display smartphone when it arrives…
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LG G4 vs Samsung Galaxy S6 – Ultimate comparison (Video)

Dom Esposito May 12 2015 - 6:34 am PT

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If you’re having trouble picking the best 2015 flagship Android phone to buy, let me make your choice a bit easier. Today, I’m looking at the hardware, design, specifications, software, and camera performance of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G4 to see which device comes out on top…

Motorola begins testing Android 5.1 update for 2013 Moto X, rollout to start in a few weeks

Chance Miller May 11 2015 - 5:36 pm PT

In a post on Google+, Motorola this evening announced that the long-awaited Lollipop update for the 2013 Moto X will begin testing this week in both the United States and Latin America. Motorola’s Senior Director of Software Product Management, David Schuster, made the announcement and noted that the after testing via TestDrive is concluded, the update will start full deployment. Schuster anticipates that the full rollout will commence in a “few weeks.”

Review: LG’s G4 boasts the best smartphone camera, a beautiful display + other surprises (Video)

Dom Esposito May 8 2015 - 8:27 am PT

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LG may be late to the game as far as smartphone releases go, but the G4 is finally here and it’s ready to take on the competition. I’ve been using a T-Mobile variant of the G4 for a little over a week now as my daily driver, and it’s been a very pleasant experience. If you’ve been holding out for a smartphone upgrade, this is definitely one to consider….

Google is rolling out Android 5.1 to the Nexus 9 starting today

Stephen Hall May 7 2015 - 9:45 am PT

Google has announced today that it is beginning its rollout of Android 5.1 to the Nexus 9 at some point today. It has been a long time coming for the Nexus 9, with the flagship Google tablet just earlier this week receiving its update to 5.0.2—which first hit the Nexus 7 in December of 2014. Now, finally, it looks like Android 5.1 (more specifically Android 5.1.1) will be coming to the Nexus 9 very, very soon.