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Android 5.0 Lollipop Release: 10 Things You Need to Know

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The month of November has provided a rush of new Android 5.0 Lollipop release details for owners of Google’s Nexus devices, HTC smartphones, LG smartphones, Motorola smartphones, Samsung smartphones, and Sony devices. With details swirling, we want to take a look at the current climate and examine the 10 most important things to know, right now, about the Android 5.0 Lollipop release.

Earlier this year, Google took the stage at Google I/O and announced an Android L update. In October, Google finally confirmed the name and release of that update, now known as Android 5.0 Lollipop. Android 5.0 Lollipop, as expected, is a major update to the Android operating system, arguably the biggest change to the Android OS since its release.

Its brought massive change to Google’s stable of Nexus smartphones and tablets, Motorola’s Moto X and Moto G, and it’s set to bring massive changes to devices on a collection of other Android manufacturers including Sony, Samsung, and more.

This month, we’ve seen the Android 5.0 Lollipop update make substantial progress as companies, including Google, have pushed out Android 5.0 Lollipop updates to key devices. Of course, the enormity of the update’s release can be a lot to handle, especially for those that aren’t in tune with the smartphone world and only check in sparingly. That’s where we come in.

In an effort to inform as many Android users as we possibly can, we want to take a look at the most important things to know, right now, about the ongoing Android 5.0 Lollipop release for top companies. This roundup will cover key details for Nexus devices, Google Play Edition devices, HTC devices, LG devices, Motorola devices, Samsung devices, and Sony devices. Those of you touting other smartphones or tablets will need to investigate further.

That said, here are the details we consider the most important as we head toward the end of November and the end of the year.

Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop Roll Outs Finishing Up

The first thing you need to know about the Android 5.0 Lollipop release is that Google’s initial Android 5.0 Lollipop roll outs seem to be finishing up. The company first started rolling out the Nexus 5, Nexus 7 Wi-Fi and Nexus 10 Android 5.0 Lollipop updates in mid-November and from what we’ve seen, those roll outs have slowed considerably. Not because of issues but because most people have received their OTA upgrade. The Nexus 4 Android 5.0 Lollipop update rolled out days after these initial releases and it’s a little further behind.

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We’ve outlined some tips for those still waiting on the Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA and those who still haven’t received their upgrade should have a look at those before throwing the device against a wall. Look for the four of these Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop roll outs to be finished by the time the month of November ends.

Two Key Nexus Lollipop Releases Missing

There are, however, still two Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop updates missing in action. Google still hasn’t released the update for the cellular versions of the Nexus 7 2012 or Nexus 7 2013 and it’s not clear when the company plans to push those updates out. An early rumor suggested that we would see all Nexus software updates roll out in November but that information did not come from Google’s mouth.

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Nexus 7 users need to remember that release dates are heavily dependent on the testing process behind the scenes and testing can be extremely unpredictable. Remember, Google was extremely late to the Nexus 7 LTE Android 4.4.3 and Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates so this delay in action doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

Look for these updates to roll out before the end of the year without an announcement.

Android 5.0 Lollipop Problems

We’ve gone into detail about Android 5.0 problems afflicting Nexus users and it’s worth noting that a majority of complaints about Android 5.0 come from owners of these devices. Nexus users typically get the short end of the stick when it comes to the stability of major software releases and Android 5.0 appears to be no different.

It’s worth noting that many Nexus users are reporting good things about Android 5.0 Lollipop as well. Our Nexus 5, for instance, is running beautifully after the Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade. For many Nexus users, the update is going to be worth installing, even if there still are some bugs that need to be worked out. Google typically pushes out Android bug fix updates weeks after release so we could see a bug fixer arrive before the end of the year.

Google Play Edition Android 5.0 Updates on Tap

Google’s promised Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for its stable of Google Play Edition devices and despite delays, it still looks like the first Android 5.0 updates will land for HTC’s GPe smartphones.

We’re still not sure when it’s going to land for owners of the HTC One M7 and HTC One M8 Google Play Edition. The company was targeting a release earlier this month but with no movement today, it looks like owners of the HTC One M7 and HTC One M8 GPe are going to be made to wait a little longer for their upgrade to Android 5.0.

iPhone 6 Plus vs HTC One M8 - 11

Those who own either device will want to keep an eye on the Twitter account of Mo Versi, a product manager who is very forthcoming with information related to Android updates. When the updates get approval, Versi will likely be the one to pass on the good news. Until then, users just need to assume that the updates are still in testing behind the scenes.

So far, these are the only Google Play Edition updates that we’ve seen. There’s a good chance that some of the other devices get the upgrade from KitKat to Lollipop but right now, those details remain in the shadows.

HTC One Lollipop Updates Moving Along

As for the carrier versions of the HTC One M7 and HTC One M8, we’re still looking at a release within 90 days from Google’s initial Lollipop release which means that we’ll most likely see the two updates roll out in 2015. That said, we have seen some progress made.

Earlier this month, developer LlabTooFer revealed some exclusive screenshots of the HTC One M8 on Android 5.0 Lollipop. The leak offers a glimpse at what the software will look like when HTC decides to roll it out. There are some massive changes that will be coming for HTC users including the new layout for cards that arrived with Google’s own Android 5.0 updates.

LG G3 Lollipop Update MIA but Imminent

The LG G3 Lollipop release is still missing despite promises to release it this week in South Korea. Even if it doesn’t roll out this week, we know that a release is imminent. First off, LG is talking like this update is done. Second, French carrier SFR has confirmed the update and says that it should be rolling out within the next week or so.

iPhone 6 Plus vs LG G3 - 7

It’s only Wednesday so there’s a good chance we’ll see the update hit all three major South Korean carriers in the days ahead. And if we’re lucky, we’ll see at least one European carrier push out the update in the next week or so. Look for other carriers to follow suit as LG upgrades one of the best Android smartphones of 2014.

Still no word on the LG G2 Android 5.0 Lollipop update.

Moto X Android 5.0 Lollipop Update Makes Huge Progress

Motorola continues to push forward with its own Android 5.0 Lollipop release and the latest Moto X Android 5.0 Lollipop update is now available for users on Verizon Wireless in the United States. Keep in mind, this roll out is for the second-generation model and it’s only limited to one carrier in the U.S. We should see other carriers follow closely behind.

A dual-LED ring flash sits around a 13MP camera.

We still don’t know when Motorola plans to roll out its other updates, including the Moto X Android 5.0 update for the first-gen model, but Motorola users would be wise to keep an eye on the company’s plans via its Android software update page. There, the company will inform various users about these key updates though we suspect that we’ll hear about their roll outs well before Motorola announces them.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Leaks Continue

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update already leaked out three times before today’s Sprint Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update leak. Sprint’s update, which is confirmed to be in testing, is the first Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop update to be made available to the public. The software, which is a test version, is not meant for novice users and veteran Galaxy S5 users are advised to proceed with caution.

urbovsGalaxyS5-2

Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is widely believed to be the first update that Samsung has up its sleeve though the company, unlike its competitors, continues to remain silent about its plans for Galaxy smartphones and tablets. The Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop release date is currently rumored for December though that window remains unconfirmed.

Samsung Galaxy Lollipop Release Dates Rumored

We’ve seen a number of other Galaxy Android 5.0 Lollipop updates rumored. The Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop update is rumored for December alongside the Galaxy S5 while the Galaxy S4 Lollipop update is rumored for early 2015. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 5.0 update is also all but confirmed though a release date still hasn’t emerged. We expect it to arrive in and around the Galaxy S4 Lollipop release. This is all we know, thus far, about Samsung’s plans.

Sony Xperia Android 5.0 Lollipop Update Update

Sony still hasn’t released an Android 5.0 Lollipop update and we simply haven’t seen much information flow in the past few weeks. The Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1S, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will all be getting Android 5.0.

Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition devices will all be getting the Android 5.0 Lollipop update at some point down the road. The Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 series will get the update starting in 2015 with other devices following suit. Look for details to emerge in December and perhaps, in January as well.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Sahil Arora

    11/27/2014 at 7:22 pm

    Waiting for Android L for my Moto G in India. Hope it comes ASAP! Really excited for lollipop :-D

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