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7 Reasons Not to Update on Nexus Lollipop Release Day

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Google still hasn’t confirmed an Android 5.0 Lollipop release date for Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10 or Nexus 4 but rumors suggest that OTAs could start this week. With a Nexus Lollipop release date imminent, we want to take a look at some reasons why Nexus owners might want to think about skipping Google’s brand new Android update on the day it arrives.

The Android L update was first announced as Android 4.4 KitKat’s successor back in June at Google I/O. At the developer event, Google did not confirm an Android L release date or name though it did outline many of its features and offer a pre-release beta to select Nexus users. In the weeks after the early beta release, we saw features teased and release dates rumored and last month, Google finally spilled the beans on Android L.

As expected, the Android L update is called Android 5.0 Lollipop. The update will be accompanied by two new Nexus devices including a Nexus 9 from HTC and a Nexus 6 from Motorola. Both devices will help usher in a new era for Google and its Android operating system. Problem is, Google still hasn’t confirmed a specific Android 5.0 Lollipop release date for owners of older Nexus smartphones and tablets.

Earlier this month, the company confirmed several Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for arrival including updates for the Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 7 2012, and Nexus 10. And while those updates are confirmed, the Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop release date is not. We’ve heard Nexus OTAs could begin on November 12th though that remains unconfirmed.

There’s reason for Nexus users to be be excited about the Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop release date but there’s also plenty of reason to hold off when the update first arrives. Here, we take a look at some reasons why you Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 users might want to think about holding out when Google does finally decide to push out the update.

If You’re Still Unfamiliar with Lollipop

If you are on Android 4.4 KitKat or below and you still haven’t gotten acquainted with the features and changes found inside Android 5.0 Lollipop, make sure you get acquainted with them before you install. A little research is going to make the transition process a whole lot easier. To get started, take a look at the video above. It will walk you through everything you need to know.

Nexus6vsN5-3

Android 5.0 Lollipop is one of Google’s biggest updates to the Android software, quite possibly the biggest update of all time, so you’re not going to want to install this update blindly. Do you research, figure out what’s what, and that way you’re not going to be shell shocked after installing it. Getting familiar is going to take more than a day in our opinion. Android 4.4 KitKat this is not.

You Don’t Want to Deal with Bugs

If you’ve been through the Nexus Android update process before, you know that there is a very good chance that Android 5.0 Lollipop is going to bring some issues to Nexus devices. Typically, we see several major issues and tons of smaller issues emerge on day one. Nexus owners have long been Google’s guinea pig and we don’t expect anything different from Android 5.0 Lollipop.

So, if you’re not in the mood to deal with major issues and your Android 4.4 KitKat update is working out fine, you might want to wait for a few days before installing the update. Typically we, and Nexus users, are able to weed out some of the biggest issues plaguing a software update and relay potential fixes for those issues.

Nexus5-Android5

There’s a good chance that Android 5.0 Lollipop is going to deliver a number of bug fixes for Android 4.4 KitKat problems but unless you’re experiencing tons of problems on Android 4.4 KitKat, you might be better served waiting a day, or two, or perhaps even a week before installing the software on your device. There’s no reason to rush into things. Take it slow if you need to.

If You Own an Older Device

Older devices typically receive the brunt of the problems. Last year’s Android 4.4 KitKat update caused a number of problems for Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 4 users, so many problems in fact, that we were skeptical about whether or not they had another Android update left in the tank. Google surprised us when it announced Android 5.0 updates for both devices.

Now this isn’t a Google problem. It’s a problem that affects other manufacturers too. For instance, Apple’s iOS 8 update isn’t playing nice on the iPad 2 or the iPhone 4s. They represent the two oldest devices with iOS 8 support so there’s really no surprise there. Point is, if you’re using a Nexus 4 or a Nexus 7 2012, you might want to think about holding out for a few days while we, and others, can survey the lay of the land.

Nexus 4 Android L System Image MIA

You don’t want to deal with performance issues on top of any bugs that might rear their ugly head after the arrival of Android 5.0 Lollipop. If you own an older device, proceed with extreme caution. If it were us, we definitely would avoid Android 5.0 Lollipop on day one.

If You Have Critical Apps

Many of you use applications to get through the school day or workday. And while developers have started updating their applications for compatibility with Android 5.0 Lollipop and its Material Design, there’s always a chance that Android 5.0’s arrival could present some new problems. And it’s these problems that could interfere with whatever you have planned on release day.

Nexus6vsGS5-2

If you are going to be reliant on apps throughout the day for work flow or something else, it’s going to be best to hold off on installing Android 5.0 Lollipop until support arrives or when reviews indicate that the coast is clear. Most third-party applications should be fine but it’s not worth the risk if you’re doing something extremely important for work or for school.

If You’re Traveling

Those of you who are traveling may want to hold off on installing Android 5.0 Lollipop because there could be issues on board Google’s new software that impact the overall stability of the device. This is particularly troublesome for travelers who haven’t backed up their data. If something were to go wrong, not having easy access to a personal computer could make things extremely difficult.

If you are not at home when the Nexus Lollipop release arrives, we highly recommend waiting until you’re back. Android 5.0 Lollipop isn’t going anywhere and it will be waiting for you when you get back. In fact, depending on how long you’re gone for, you might actually encounter an Android 5.0 bug fix update instead of Android 5.0 Lollipop itself.

If You’re Unprepared

If you aren’t prepared for the Android 5.0 Lollipop update and its release, do not install the Android 5.0 Lollipop update when it arrives for your Nexus device. If you haven’t had time to back up your data, clean up your device, install app updates, check in with your ROM developer, or research Android 5.0 Lollipop itself, you will want to think about holding off until all of that is done.

Nexus5-Android5-3

For you seasoned Nexus veterans out there, this might seem like overkill, but in our experience, the more prepared you are, the better off you’re going to be post-update. Most of the people that we encounter dealing with issues are people that installed the update blindly without ensuring all of their bases were covered. Don’t be that person.

If You’re Using the Device for Work

In the past, we’ve seen Android updates cause problems for people using their Nexus smartphone or tablet for work. We’ve seen Exchange issues occur after the arrival of new Android software updates and we’ve seen folks run into battery life issues on their work phone or tablet on days when battery life problems are unacceptable.

Those who are using a Nexus 7, Nexus 4, Nexus 10, or Nexus 5 as a work device may want to hold off until the major Android 5.0 Lollipop bugs can be established and until your company’s IT department gives the go-ahead to install the software. And that’s something that may not happen on the update’s first day of availability.

13 Comments

13 Comments

  1. Arko Sarkar

    11/10/2014 at 4:25 am

    How to backup my device and everything in it before I update it to Lollipop? (Nexus 5 User)

  2. Shane

    11/10/2014 at 4:28 am

    This article is a total nonsense.

  3. meph

    11/10/2014 at 6:45 am

    Haaa Gayyy!!!! Why wasting ur time in such a crap info…totally nonsense..

  4. Jas

    11/10/2014 at 7:33 am

    What a useless article

  5. hsh

    11/10/2014 at 7:40 am

    Author is a fkin noon hahaha

  6. abbaabba

    11/10/2014 at 9:36 am

    Just another phone. blah.

  7. neodragon

    11/10/2014 at 9:59 am

    Not sure why so many people are criticizing this article. It actually raises several valid points. None of them are likely to be major concerns for tech savvy users who know what they’re getting into, but to those who are less so, this could be helpful.

  8. drew

    11/10/2014 at 10:59 am

    Since the update of gmail its been crashing and google search has been too on my nexus 7 2013 still waiting for 5.0 I did read somewhere over the weekend that it might start rollong out today the 10th.

  9. Bob

    11/10/2014 at 4:43 pm

    This whole article is crap. It should not exist

  10. asdf

    11/10/2014 at 6:29 pm

    lol

  11. hans

    11/10/2014 at 9:26 pm

    My Nexus 7 (2012) has a problem with 4.4.4.
    Could anybody please tell me what it could be as I haven’t noticed it this far.
    Also my Nexus 4 has a problem with it? Don’t want to ask for to much but eh.
    Now lucky me I have a Nexus 5, NO PROBLEM :-))

    Can some please make sure the writer gets out of the sun, might have been a little to much.

  12. furanku

    11/10/2014 at 10:30 pm

    Short summary of the article: New software is new and could contain bugs. Thanks for that hint.

  13. miel97

    11/16/2014 at 3:33 am

    Most useless article I’ve ever read. Seriously.

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