Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) has officially released an updated version of the Android Lollipop, known as the Android 5.1. The new update will bring more stability and better performance to Android users. Android 5.1 is already available on Android One smartphones in Indonesia and India, and soon it will make it to all the Nexus devices as well. Google will release the source code soon, which means other OEMs will release the official Android 5.1 update for their chosen smartphones as well. New features and additions are mentioned below.
- New features for devices with multiple SIM Cards (like different colors for contacts associated with each SIM)
- HD voice capabilities on supported phones (such as the Nexus 6 on T-Mobile or Verizon networks)
- Device Protection feature that locks your device until you sign in with your Google account even if a phone has been reset to factory settings.
With slick performance and better stability, Google is also bringing the new Device Protection feature which will be available for Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, and devices shipped with Android 5.1 pre-installed. If you unfortunately lose your phone, Android 5.1 will require a Google account sign in, and even if the thief make a full factory reset, he still won’t be able to access the device. That’s a useful feature but we really hope you will never have to use it.
T-Mobile USA announced that Nexus 4,5 and 7 will receive this new update starting today, so if you are using any of the mentioned devices with T-Mobile USA, keep checking because you might receive it anytime soon. As instability has been an issue faced by Android users for a long time, like the users always complain about how ‘Android is not as slick as iOS’, the new update might bring Lollipop up to level with iOS. Also, HTC and Samsung will be releasing these update for their flagship smartphones as well, and we will hopefully see other OEMs following their footsteps.
Are you looking forward to Android 5.1? Let us know in the comment box below.
Source: Official Android Blog
