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Android 5.0.1 Update: 5 Things Nexus Users Need to Know

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Google’s poised to deliver its first update to the Android 5.0 Lollipop update that it first started rolling out to Nexus users last month. That update, Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, is still without an official release date but now that factory images are here, it should only be a matter of time before the OTA update process begins. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know, right now, about Google’s latest update.

Back in June, Google announced a brand new Android update dubbed Android L. Android L, the successor to Android 4.4 KitKat, was rolled out to developers in possession of the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 and promised to the public at a later date. That later date arrived in October when Google announced the arrival of Android 5.0 Lollipop for Nexus devices and Google Play Edition devices.

Google confirmed the Android 5.0 update in October but it waited until November to actually roll the updates out. In mid-November, it started pushing Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7. In the weeks since, the company’s rolled out a few Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for its Google Play Edition devices.

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The Nexus updates have delivered all of the bells and whistles of Android 5.0 Lollipop. The new Material Design, big changes to the Camera application, and more. This is a historic update that brings huge change to the Android operating system. And like all major updates, the Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade has also brought some issues along with it.

Nexus users have been complaining about assorted Android 5.0 Lollipop issues since the day that the updates started rolling out Over-the-Air. And while temporary and permanent fixes have come from us and the Android community, Nexus users have been hoping for a bug fix update. Those prayers were answered yesterday.

Yesterday, Google pushed an Android 5.0.1 update into AOSP and released several factory images. Today, Google started the Android 5.0.1 OTA. With Android 5.0 Lollipop problems and Nexus users in mind, we want to take a look at the most important things you need to know, right now, about the Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update from Google.

Android 5.0.1 Lollipop Confirmed

The first thing that you Nexus users need to know is that an Android 5.0.1 update has been confirmed for Nexus devices. It’s a significant development because it means that Google’s hard at work trying to correct some of the mistakes that arrived on board its initial Android 5.0 Lollipop release back in November. It’s also significant because it will soon replace Android 5.0 as the company’s most up to date version of Lollipop.

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Google hasn’t issued any official announcement regarding the Android 5.0.1 roll out though that’s not surprising. Google tends to let smaller bug fix updates speak for themselves. What this means though is that official information regarding release date, fixes and more are still missing and it’s not clear how the company will proceed from yesterday’s release into AOSP.

Nexus users, especially those dealing with issues, will need to remain patient and keep an eye out for appropriate files, change logs, and releases. Google probably won’t spell it out for you.

Some Factory Images Available

The second thing that you Nexus users should know about Android 5.0.1 Lollipop is that the company’s released factory images to developers. This is a sign that a roll out to the public is close. It also enables those with the proper knowledge to install the factory images.

So far, the company’s released three factory images for Nexus devices. Those include images for the Nexus 10, Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi and the Nexus 9 Wi-Fi. All tablets, all Wi-Fi only. Images for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 LTE, Nexus 7 HSPA+ or Nexus 6 have not been released. This doesn’t mean that they won’t be getting an update, it just means that Google is working slowly per usual.

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If Google does have plans for all Nexus users, we expect those files to emerge sometime in the near future as the company gears up for what could be another widespread Android update roll out for key Nexus devices.

OTAs Have Started

The third thing you need to know is that OTAs have started for the Nexus 9, Nexus 10 and Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi. These updates will almost certainly take a few days, if not more, to complete which means that there will be some people interested in sideloading early. Here are the necessary files for those looking to sideload the upgrade.

The Nexus 9 file isn’t available yet but it should be soon.

Nexus 7 (Cellular) Android 5.0 Lollipop Updates MIA

The fourth thing you should know is that the Android 5.0.1 update, so far, has done nothing to clear up the Android 5.0 situation for those with cellular versions of the Nexus 7. This is significant because these two devices, the Nexus 7 HSPA+ and Nexus 7 LTE, remain on Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Every other Nexus device have been outfitted with Lollipop.

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The arrival of Android 5.0.1 could, and should, mean that these devices will jump straight to Android 5.0.1 instead of lingering on an older version of the software. Of course, you should know that Google isn’t in the business of keeping Nexus users informed. That’s why you’ll need to keep an eye on Google’s AOSP. Factory images and binaries will alert you to a roll out. And there will be a roll out at some point.

Android 5.0 Problems & Bug Fixes

The full Android 5.0.1 change log isn’t known but it’s expected to contain bug fixes for Android 5.0 Lollipop problems. It also looks like it will address battery life on Android Wear. It’s not as glamorous as the Android 5.0 update that pushed out last month but it’s going to be an important update nonetheless.

It’s also worth noting that Google’s Android bug fixes typically don’t fix every single problem. Incremental updates almost always bring their own set of problems to the table as well.

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So, you should know that we’ve put together a list of common Android 5.0 problems and fixes for those problems. Keep those in mind in case Android 5.0.1 fails to fix the issues that currently sit on board your Nexus smartphone or tablet. They will come in handy.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Scott Lewis

    12/10/2014 at 10:49 am

    The update is very smooth on my nexus 7 2nd gen

  2. Emily Orlosky

    12/10/2014 at 8:43 pm

    When will there be a next update because I hate this one. I want the last one back. Can I get the last one back in some way? It got rid of a lot of things on my tablet.

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