Android 5.1 Lollipop

53 'Android 5.1 Lollipop' stories February 2015 - September 2015

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PSA: Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition is now getting Android 5.1

Stephen Hall Sep 11 2015 - 8:28 am PT

According to a few different tips around the web, those who own the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition — which isn’t that many people, mind you — are now receiving an over-the-air update to Android 5.1. Yep, that’s the version of Android that started rolling out to Nexus devices a full six months ago.

An Android Police tipster says that the update is arriving on a LRX21P device, updating to Android 5.1 with build LMY47O. You can download the update straight from Google’s servers by clicking here. Otherwise, just keep an eye on your device for an over-the-air update notification to pop up sometime soon.

If it took this long for the phone to get 5.1 Lollipop, I wouldn’t be surprised if we never saw Marshmallow. And who knows if and when the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition will get the latest 5.1.1 Lollipop build.

Huawei debuts flashy all-metal G8 smartphone w/ ultra low-light shooting camera

Zac Hall Sep 2 2015 - 11:25 am PT

The 5.5-inch Ascend Mate S flagship smartphone isn’t the only new smartphone coming out of Huawei at IFA today. The Chinese handset maker also unveiled its new premium Huawei G8 smartphone launching in several non-US markets next month. The Huawei G8 sports a full-metal body and comes in dark silver, gold, and white tones with a 1080p 5.5-inch curved Gorilla Glass display.
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Acer Predator 8 gaming tablet announced: Octa-core, 4GB RAM, 21MP camera and four speakers coming soon for $299

Cam Bunton Sep 2 2015 - 3:36 am PT

Acer unveiled a range of ‘Predator’ branded products at its conference this morning, including a quick teaser of an incredibly powerful smartphone. While that was only teased, the company has officially announced the Predator 8, a small, but powerful 8-inch tablet running Android 5.1 Lollipop. It’ll be available in 2-3 weeks time. From first impressions, it sure seems like a lot of bang for your buck …
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Cyanogen OS 12.1 update for OnePlus One rolling out OTA

Cam Bunton Aug 27 2015 - 7:23 am PT

Cyanogen has announced that its most recent update, Cyanogen OS 12.1, is rolling out now to OnePlus One owners as an over-the-air update. The initial launch has been slightly delayed, but it’s finally here and you should see it available to download over the coming days. Cyanogen OS 12.1 is based on Android 5.1 Lollipop and comes with a promising list of updates. From looking at the update, it seems Cyanogen is really going for productivity and performance over anything else. Those updates include:
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Android 5.1 open source kernel files for AT&T and Sprint HTC One M9 now available to developers

Ben Lovejoy Aug 4 2015 - 5:04 am PT

A few weeks after Sprint and AT&T pushed over the air updates, upgrading the HTC One M9 to Android 5.1, HTC has made the open source kernel files available to developers. The files will be of particular help to those creating custom ROMs.

The files can be downloaded from HTC’s Developer Center.

Via Android Police

HTC Desire 626 unboxing and first impressions [Video]

Cam Bunton Jul 29 2015 - 6:00 am PT

HTC’s Desire smartphone range promises to offer great build quality, design and features but without the cost of a flagship smartphone. One of the latest additions to that lineup, the Desire 626, is one of the more sensibly sized devices in the range…
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Android Lollipop 5.1 for Sony Xperia Z3 and Z2 now rolling out

Cam Bunton Jul 22 2015 - 8:06 am PT

Sony confirmed in a blog post that its Android 5.1 update for the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 device family is rolling out now. Devices including the Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact, Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2, and Z2 Tablet are part of this current wave of software releases.

As always, if you have a carrier device you may have to wait a few weeks or months for your network operator to give its approval to the software. If you have the unlocked model, however, you could see the update any day now. Be sure to keep checking for updates in your settings menu if you haven’t already received a notification to download the OTA.

Included in the Android 5.1 Lollipop update are the following new features:

Increased customisation options – so you have even more control over the way volume, silent modes and your alerts function
Brand new LinkedIn integration – be more productive with intuitive contact synchronisation in your Calendar
Camera improvements – with faster, more accurate Superior Auto Mode focus for great images, regardless of conditions
Enhanced enterprise support – with our latest Xperia in Business features for work
SmartWear integration – selfie snapping made that bit easier, with SmartWatch 3 as a remote shutter button

Older Xperia products will be getting the update “over the coming weeks”, according to Sony. Devices like the Z1, Z1 Compact and Xperia Z Ultra will be first in line before the T2 Ultra, Xperia C3 and original Xperia Z are updated a little while later.

PSA: AT&T suspends 5.1 Lollipop update for first gen Moto X

Stephen Hall Jul 21 2015 - 8:33 am PT

For reasons unknown, AT&T has just suspended the rollout of Android 5.1 to the first generation Moto X. Motorola announced the update last month, and it first began rolling out to AT&T Moto X (2013) owners on July 7th.

Here’s what AT&T says on its support website:

UPDATE SUSPENDED

Effective July 20, 2015, the Android 5.1 (Lollipop) software update for the Moto X (XT1058) has been temporarily suspended. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

As mentioned, it’s not yet clear why AT&T has pulled the update for now. The company does say that it is working to resolve the issue as soon as it can, and the rollout should continue soon.

Android 5.1 update for HTC One M9 on AT&T and T-Mobile coming very soon

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 12:53 pm PT

Good news for HTC One M9 users with the AT&T and T-Mobile variants: Your Android 5.1 software update should be landing on your devices very soon. Mo Versi, the manufacturer’s VP of product management announced that AT&T owners should see it arrive from tomorrow, July 15th.

The update has passed technical approval and will come alongside some camera improvements:

HTC One (M9) AT&T Owners! We have received technical approval on Lollipop OS 5.1 which includes camera improvements. OTA to start on 7/15!!

— Mo Versi (@moversi) July 14, 2015

Of course, a T-Mobile customer replied to the tweet asking when #TeamMagenta subs might see the software arrive on their phones. Turns out, that’s pretty soon too. As of right now, the OTA update for HTC One M9 on T-Mo is on course to arrive on July 20th, just six days away.

@a_ferriola on track for 7/20

— Mo Versi (@moversi) July 14, 2015

Big Blue users, be sure to check your phones for updates from tomorrow if you don’t get a notification informing you of its availability. T-Mo customers, hold on tight, you have less than a week to wait.

Unlocked 1st gen Moto G LTE gets Android 5.1 update

Cam Bunton Jul 9 2015 - 6:24 am PT

Android 5.1 is available to download over-the-air on to the unlocked original Moto G LTE smartphone for the first time. Motorola started rolling out the update for the 1st gen Moto G over the past 24 hours or so. As with almost every modern Motorola device, the software is essentially stock Android.

Motorola states in the release notes that you can’t downgrade to a previous version after installing and that it contains a number of improvements and fixes. Along with some of the user interface changes in 5.1, the new software also includes a bunch of bug fixes including:

Clock in the status bar is not updating and alarms not going off
Unable to delete SMS messages when the SIM card is full
No ringer audio while making an outgoing call
Calculator floating point calculations
Chrome crashes when launched
Frequent restarts while watching Netflix
Wi-Fi not automatically reconnecting to home Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi not connecting after being idle all night
Wi-Fi connection issues with multiple routers in one location
Bluetooth discovery is not triggered when you refresh settings
CPU wakelocks that contribute to heavier battery drain
Connection and synchronisation issues with MS Exchange servers
Incorrect default APN
Cannot unlock the SIM with a PIN/PUK code
Cannot play ‘pinned’ content

If the update doesn’t show up for you right away, be sure to check your settings menu and search for updates manually. It appears that only unlocked Moto G LTE models in the U.S. are receiving the update right now. If you’re in another country, be sure to let us know when it lands for you.

Turing Phone promises physical strength and secure communications like no other

Cam Bunton Jul 6 2015 - 4:18 am PT

Turing Robotic Industries recently took the wraps off a phone which — if it lives up to its promises — could be essentially indestructible and ridiculously secure. The Turing Phone is built from a “revolutionary liquid-metal” called Liquidmorphium which is stronger than steel and titanium. If that sounds familiar to you, there’s good reason for that. Apple has been in partnership with a company which manufactures a very similar material for some time now.
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Android One lands in Pakistan with QMobile A1

Cam Bunton Jul 6 2015 - 2:09 am PT

Android One has arrived in Pakistan at long last, and does so with the launch of the QMobile A1 smartphone. In a blog post this morning, Google announced that consumers will be able to snag one of these new handsets for just 11,500 PKR (around $110 USD) starting today.
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Moto X (1st gen) Lollipop upgrade rolling out to carrier models in bevy of countries

Tom Maxwell Jul 1 2015 - 9:08 am PT

Motorola has a way of saying software is ready when it isn’t, and publishing release notes for major upgrades long before they actually begin rolling out. It can often feel like deja vu to see the announcement of an update rollout multiple times, so we of all people know that it can be frustrating. That said, Motorola’s David Schuster has posted to his Google+ account this morning to announce that the 1st-generation Moto X is receiving Android 5.1 starting today in a whole host of countries…

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Sprint’s HTC One M9 updated to Android 5.1 (and LG G4 gets a minor update)

Stephen Hall Jul 1 2015 - 8:23 am PT

The HTC One M9 might not be the most popular flagship of the year, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get its share of software updates. Those who have the device on Sprint will be happy to learn that they will be getting Android 5.1 Lollipop starting today, according to Sprint’s website.
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Verizon DROID Turbo 5.1 Lollipop update actually rolling out OTA tomorrow

Tom Maxwell Jun 30 2015 - 12:54 pm PT

Well, things change fast. Earlier today we reported on comments from Motorola’s David Schuster that a soak test of 5.1 Lollipop was rolling out for the DROID Turbo, and only hours later Verizon has unexpectedly announced that the update will roll out over-the-air to device owners starting tomorrow.

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Sprint rolling out Android 5.1 to Samsung Galaxy S6 edge owners

Ben Lovejoy Jun 30 2015 - 7:16 am PT

If you’ve got a Samsung Galaxy S6 edge and are on the Sprint network, you can expect to see an over-the-air upgrade to Android 5.1 over the next few days. The update provides better control over notifications, device protection that persists even after resetting to factory settings and the usual performance improvements and bug fixes.

Sprint has posted a support page showing the release, which states that updates are issued in stages and can take several days to hit all phones.

T-Mobile rolled out Android 5.1.1 to the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge earlier this month.

Android 5.1 rolling out in USA to all 2nd-gen (2014) Moto X Pure Edition handsets today

Ben Lovejoy Jun 26 2015 - 5:02 am PT

While Moxo X Pure Edition owners on T-Mobile have had Android 5.1 for almost a month now, and owners of carrier models started seeing it in the past few days, some owners have still been waiting. That wait is now over, according to a Google+ post by Motorola’s David Schuster.

I am happy to announce that we have been approved to start full deployment of the Android 5.1 Lollipop upgrade for Moto X (2nd Gen) Pure Edition in the US.

The updated version of Lollipop brings with it a bunch of worthwhile improvements, including quick access to Bluetooth and WiFi settings, better notifications and improved performance and security.

Via Android Central

Motorola now rolling out Android 5.1 to 1st and 2nd generation Moto X

Stephen Hall Jun 22 2015 - 8:56 am PT

We told you last week that an Android 5.1 soak test was beginning for the Verizon Moto X, and now it looks like the update has been made official. Motorola has today announced the rollout of Android 5.1 to both the original Moto X and the Moto X (2014), both of which should be rolling out imminently.

In Android 5.1, there are improvements across the board, including changes to how notifications are handled, drop-down menus for both Bluetooth and WiFi in the quick settings shade, device protection, system-wide performance improvements, and more.

We are excited to announce a new software update for Moto X (2nd Gen.) by Motorola. This update brings Android™ 5.1 Lollipop to your phone along with other improvements. Android™ 5.1 Lollipop improves stability and provides better control over notifications.

If you have the 2014 Moto X “Pure Edition,” then you’ve probably had Android 5.1 running on your device for about a month now. For those unfortunate enough to be stuck with a carrier version of the first- or second-generation Moto X, keep an eye out for the update to hit your device in the coming days.

Lollipop upgrade for 1st & 2nd gen Moto X hits soak testing in many countries

Tom Maxwell Jun 17 2015 - 1:06 pm PT

Another day, another expanded soak test of a Motorola software upgrade. This time, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop for the 1st and 2nd-generation Moto X in a bevy of countries.

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Verizon Moto E receiving its update to Android 5.1 Lollipop

Tom Maxwell Jun 11 2015 - 12:17 pm PT

The unlocked 2nd-generation Moto E might have already began receiving Android 5.1 Lollipop straight from Motorola in early May, but Verizon customers rejoice: your over-the-air update is dropping now.

This update brings all the changes we’ve come to expect from the 5.0.2 to 5.1.1 bump as well as a slightly tweaked “Interruptions” control menu and Device Protection, which ensures that a lost or stolen device will remain locked (aka can’t be factory reset) until the original owner signs into it with his or her Google account. Verizon has a handy PDF that covers most of the changes coming with this update.

To check if your Moto E has pulled down the update yet, head into the Settings app and select About Phone > System updates.

Motorola product manager: no ETA on DROID Turbo 5.1 Lollipop update

Tom Maxwell Jun 11 2015 - 11:53 am PT

A couple weeks ago we saw a Verizon employee take to his Google+ account to share a picture of a DROID Turbo running Android 5.1 Lollipop with a note saying that the update would drop sometime in “mid-June.” Today we have more news but it’s, well, somewhat of a step backwards. David Schuster from Motorola posted the following to his Google+ account:

Hey, I wanted to give a quick update on our progress on the DROID Turbo 5.1 lollipop upgrade since there seems to be A LOT of inaccurate information out there. We are still in the lab test cycle and things are looking good. We have not provided a launch date yet, but I will let you know as soon as the update is available.

The Verizon employee who made that post about the Turbo’s 5.1 update back in May had this to say about why update on Big Red can 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.

So now we really aren’t sure when to expect a rollout, unfortunately. We’ll keep you updated and let you know when it does, though.

Cyanogen OS 12.1 coming to OnePlus One soon, but OxygenOS w/ Android 5.1 will have to wait for OnePlus 2

Stephen Hall Jun 9 2015 - 10:46 am PT

Cyanogen, along with announcing a couple of contests aimed at finding 3 people to give exclusive early access to the OnePlus 2, has this morning taken to its forum to give us an update on the current state of software for the OnePlus One and the OnePlus 2. The company says that Cyanogen OS 12.1, updated with Android 5.1 Lollipop is on the way and should arrive soon:

CM12.1, updated to 5.1, is on its way. We have a preview build that’s undergoing factory testing and google certification. You will have it soon.

Sadly, though, if you were hoping for the Android 5.1 updated version of OxygenOS, it looks like you’re going to have to wait for the OnePlus 2. It will be coming to the OnePlus One, however—just after it comes to the OnePlus 2 later this fall. A new build of OxygenOS will be landing soon with touchscreen fixes (also included in the above COS release).

…we won’t have an OTA for the community build of OxygenOS we released back in April for the OnePlus One until after the OnePlus 2 release. We will put up a new build very soon with the touchscreen fix for those of you who are experiencing this problem but we won’t have an official update until we have the resources to do a proper job.

While the company has been talking about the OnePlus 2 a lot this week, we still don’t really know anything about the upcoming handset. That said, the two contests that OnePlus announced today suggest that we might be hearing about the phone sooner than expected, so be sure to keep an ear out for the announcement—with OnePlus, we know it’s going to be teased (a lot).

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.