Google Releases Android 5.1
by Brandon Chester on March 9, 2015 5:40 PM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Android
- Mobile
- Tablets
Today Google has announced the release of Android 5.1 Lollipop. The update is said to improve both performance and stability, as well as including a few new features.
The first feature is official support for multiple SIM cards. This feature is likely to appeal to Android users in emerging markets, and will definitely help Google's Android One initiative. Another new feature is support for HD voice calls on compatible networks and devices, with both T-Mobile and Verizon supporting the feature on the Nexus 6. Google has also added the ability to join WiFi networks and pair Bluetooth devices right from the quick settings menu.
In addition to the above improvements, Android 5.1 has one more notable feature, it's called Device Protection. Similar to Apple's Activation Lock, Device Protection means that a device will remain locked until the owner signs in with their Google account. This lock persists even after a factory reset, which should hopefully make stealing Android smartphones a pointless endeavor for thieves. Police departments in some US cities reported significant reductions in iPhone theft after the release of Activation Lock, and it would be great to see the same thing happen with Android devices.
Android 5.1 Lollipop will be rolling out to Nexus and Google Play edition devices in the near future.
Source: Google Android Blog
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DCRussian - Monday, March 9, 2015 - link
Thought I was on TomsHardware for a second based on all those typos.Brandon Chester - Monday, March 9, 2015 - link
I'm really sorry about that. My browser was inserting in the HTML and when I removed them all I replaced them with nothing instead of spaces accidentally.Cellar Door - Monday, March 9, 2015 - link
No worries! DCRussian just couldn't resist being the 1st commentator. But yeah, Tom's Hardware is a joke these days, does anyone even read what they write there anymore?!?! - it's a 'fu, we have adverts and money' attitude there.Spoelie - Tuesday, March 10, 2015 - link
But I reckon they had a GTX 960 review?Bobsy - Monday, March 16, 2015 - link
I second that.PC Perv - Monday, March 9, 2015 - link
Check the author's name.extide - Monday, March 9, 2015 - link
Haha, nice Google, trying to steal some of the attention from Apple today.Novacius - Monday, March 9, 2015 - link
The annoying memory leak should be fixed. Finally.menting - Monday, March 9, 2015 - link
you mean "hopefully"Novacius - Tuesday, March 10, 2015 - link
They marked it as fixed some time ago, so it should be fixed now.