Android 5.1 Lollipop Update For Nexus 7; Nexus 4, 5, 6 Smartphone Android Updates News

Apr 15, 2015 05:28 PM EDT

When it comes to the Android 5.1 rollout, it has been reported to be slow.  Fortunately, the Android Nexus 7 has finally received its 5.1, which means there are only a few Nexus phones to go before they all get it.

Gotta Be Mobile reports that the Nexus 7 has received the Android 5.1 Lollipop update, but this wasn't the one that people were expecting.  This rollout is for the Nexus 7 2013, but not for the Wi-Fi version of the device, but for the LTE model. 

It was back in March when Google announced that 5.1 Lollipop update for its own Nexus series of phones.  This rollout has been rather slow, but it is available for several Nexus devices such as the Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 (2012 version). Many users of the other Nexus devices had to wait, but it is good that the Nexus 4 received its Android 5.1 update just a few days ago, but it will take a while before it reaches every Nexus 4 variant worldwide.  The same effect is happening to the Nexus 7 LTE, and it is going to be a while before that the Android 5.1 update occurs. 

Tech Times is reporting that the Nexus 5 is starting to receive the Android 5.1 update, which is very good news since Google initially announced it just a month ago. The 5.1 update will solve some problems that a select number of users have received after Google's official announcement. 

According to PC Advisor, Android 5.1 is expected to be "a large update, returning the silent mode missing from Android 5.0, improving system stability, RAM management battery management, and fixing sudden app closures, Wi-Fi problems and sound problems". 

The 5.1 update will also include native support for more than on SIM-card, which works very well for phones with dual-SIM card slots.  The user can also join Wi-Fi networks and control paired Bluetooth devices directly from the Quick Settings section of the notification bar.  Then there is High Definition voice calling, via HD Voice, provided you have a compatible device like the Nexus 6 and a network like T-Mobile and Verizon. 

There has been a report of a major bug on Android 5.1 for Nexus 5 users, according to Greenbot.  It is an issue that began with the update of Android 5.0, and it has to do with memory resources draining.  If you have a Nexus 5, you can diagnose this problem by opening the Settings, then going to Apps, and scroll to Running.  You will then see if the system memory is eating up a lot of space. 

TechnoBuffalo has also written about the memory problem, with a quote from Threatpost:  "Users reported seeing their RAM bloat to over 1 gigabyte and leave as little as 150 megabytes free, before their phones ultimately crashed." 

The effect on Nexus 5 users is that it slows the device down and occasionally crashes applications.  So far, the temporary solution to this problem is to restart the device from time to time. 

As far as when a more permanent fix is coming, Android police reports that a project member has stated that the 5.1 memory leak has been fixed internally.  Now comes the bad news: "we do not currently have a timeline for public release". 

Updates have been confirmed, but no individual release dates for these Nexus phones: The Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi Android 5.1 update, the Nexus 9 Wi-Fi Android 5.1 update and the Nexus 9 LTE Android 5.1 update.