HTC One M9 Android 5.1 Update: What to Know

Lately many manufacturers have been busy pushing updates to the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop update Google released back in March, and then again in April, and this week we’ve finally received a few details about the incoming HTC One M9 Android 5.1 Lollipop update.

Back in March the HTC One M9 was announced and then released in early April running Android 5.0 Lollipop, and has since received a few maintenance updates aimed at fixing features, improving the camera and more, but that’s it. While Samsung and LG have been busy pushing out Android 5.1 and Android 5.1.1, we’ve yet to hear from HTC.

Read: 39 HTC One M9 Tips & Tricks

And as we’ve yet to hear from HTC about a potential HTC One M9 Android 5.1 update, the software itself was recently leaked and made into a custom ROM users can flash on their rooted smartphones, and below are a few details owners need to know.

During the first week of the HTC One M9 release a major software update arrived, then last month another was pushed out aimed at improving the camera and extending the battery life. However, with Android 5.1 Lollipop a lot more is coming.

HTC One M9 Android 5.1 Release

With Motorola, Samsung, and even LG pushing out Android 5.1 and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop updates as of late, we’re expecting some news from HTC in the very near future. However, the company has been rather silent regarding the update, what to expect, or when it could be coming.

For now there’s no HTC One M9 (or One M8) Android 5.1 Lollipop update timeframe, but it should be here before the end of July at the latest. That’s just a guess, but HTC’s recent track record speaks for itself, and they’ve been improving the speed of updates over the past year or two.

That all said, the HTC One M9 Android 5.1 update recently leaked to one developer, who’s made a custom ROM with some of the changes, which lends credence to the idea that it’s nearing the final stages and should be rolling out in the next few weeks. We’ll update once we know more.

Android 5.1 Lollipop Features

Most likely Android 5.1 Lollipop will arrive for both the new One M, and the older HTC One M8 around the same time, but the newest device could see the update first. Popular HTC developer LlabTooFer shared a few details this morning about the update, mentioning a few of the features owners can expect to see, but this is likely only a few of many coming with the software upgrade.

Read: Android 5.1 vs Android 5.0 Lollipop: What’s New

We’re expecting many of the changes Google implemented into Android 5.1 to be on board. Things like improved notifications, a more informative notification pulldown bar, more useful quick settings and WiFi/bluetooth controls, battery life improvements, and a fix for the dreaded memory leak problem that’s been causing all Lollipop devices to have app crashes and reboots.

However, the latest leak suggests HTC has a few big software changes coming in the 5.1 update when it’s ready. Some of those being multi-user support so owners can have more than one login and user on each device, the ability to tweak the color temperature of the phone’s display, like hot or cold (something we’ve seen only in TVs and computer monitors) battery and stability improvements, as well as some small user interface changes.

The leak shows Sense UI has received a few small visual upgrades, a more intuitive and user friendly set of volume controls, a revamped do-not-disturb mode for settings, and other small changes. The HTC Theme engine will also be more powerful and have more themes available for owners to choose from.

For now this is about all we know about the HTC One M9 or M8 Android 5.1 Lollipop update, but with it leaking online more details should begin to surface shortly. HTC doesn’t want to be left behind the other manufacturers, ones who are pushing updates out this week, so expect something shortly. We’ll see the international variant receive updates first, then US carriers will shortly follow. We will update as soon as HTC or carriers begin making announcements.

HTC One M9 Dot View Case

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The Dot View case for the HTC One M8 was a surprise and exciting accessory many loved. The all TPU flip cover case was excellent at protecting the phone, and the little dots in the plastic allowed for users to answer calls, check the weather and more all with the case closed. The screen would glow through the small “dot view” and give users information at a glance. This year the new Dot View will let users customize what all can be shown while the screen is still closed, customize the colors and lights of notifications, and there’s even neat little games like Brickles and more all playable without ever opening your case. It’s pretty neat, and runs you $39 in multiple colors. It’s expensive, but protects your phone while allowing you to do more than most cases. It appears to be sold out, but another ICE version with a clear back so you can show off that brushed aluminum design is available for $49. Buy the Dot View Case

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