Google/Twitter/ImageThere is good news for Nexus device owners. Nexus devices are first in line for the Android Lollipop 5.1 update, even before the Android 5.0 reaches other non-Nexus devices.
A Tech Times article recently reported that all Nexus devices, namely Nexus 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 are in various stages of receiving the update. It noted that it is Google’s practice that whenever an update comes up, they always prioritize devices which they manufacture themselves.
The updates are being made available over the air, but schedules are dependent on the country and carrier. The report mentions that “a staggered OTA roll out is currently underway for Nexus devices.”
In Europe for example, T-Mobile is currently making the update available for Nexus 4, 5 and 7 devices. Sprint, in the U.S., on the other hand said that they are currently pushing the update for Nexus 6. Verizon, also in the U.S. recently announced that their Nexus 6 Motorola devices will already have the update pre-installed.
Aside from getting the update through OTA, Nexus smartphone owners may also download the update from the web. The Android Authority has provided some of these links in their report. The article however also warns users about “manual flashing” and recommends that they check out forums about how to update their phones through this method.
The update is reported to have some new features such as better options for scheduling and prioritizing notifications, which allows the user to choose the time when “interruptions” are allowed or not and what kind of “interruptions” will be allowed. Another feature is the fix in the memory leak that was affecting devices with RAMs less than 2GB.
Device protection is also introduced in this update. This feature turns a stolen or lost device into a “brick,” or something that is useless even if it is factory reset. Logging on to the authorized Google account associated with the phone is the only way to unlock it.
“Heads up notifications” were another nuisance in Lollipop because they could only be dismissed completely. In the update, heads up notifications can be swiped to the side to clear it or swipe up to hide the banner and send it back to the main notification area. Yet another is dual-sim support among which includes color-coding in the dialer to identify which SIM is being used.
Source : Christian Post