Google Play Edition, Nexus 4, HTC One M7 and M8, Now receiving Android 5.1 Lollipop Upgrades

By Staff Writer

Apr 16 2015, 13:15 PM EDT

The Android 5.1 Lollipop upgrade is now rolling out to smartphones a month after the features of the operating system version were revealed.

Google Nexus 4 devices are now getting the Android 5.1 Lollipop OTA (over the air) update.

HTC announced that its One M7 and M8 are all set to receive the upgrade on Android 5.0 Lollipop after Google Play approved the versions. The new HTC flagship phone One M9 will be running the edition.

Google Play edition devices are among the first to receive Android OS updates from Google. GPes are the pure Android versions of the smartphone. CNET reports the upgrades from the Android 5.0 Lollipop OS are minor with 9 new features.

An anti-theft "Device Protection" feature will keep the lost or stolen phone locked until the owner signs in.

The OS remembers which internet connections are preferable. The device will not automatically reconnect to slow internet connections.

It would also be easier to connect to a Wi-Fi network using the arrow feature next to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth toggles which opens the Quick settings to access a network.The improved priority alerts allows the owner to select which alarms to set or receive.

The volume levels for both the ringer and notification can now be accessed on a bell icon instead of separate steps in the earlier version.

The alarm levels may now be accessed through the clock app instead of going through more steps in the settings. A new volume adjustment icon has been added to the screen.

A new SIM icon has also been added. New animations can be found on the update, showing movements of icons when tapped.The Tech Times reports that battery life improvements are also included in the upgrade.

The Android 5.1 Lollipop upgrade may be accessed either through the scheduled country rollout or manually installed using the OTA download link.