Lollipop is on it's way to Nexus devices

[Glenn]

Should be available very soon to Nexus 4,5,6,7 (both versions) & 10, plus Play edition phones.

http://www.zdnet.com/android-lollipop-rolls-out-across-smartphones-tablets-7000035406/

[Steve]

I'd like to see it on the 5 sometime this month as I'll have to wait until January I think on the Sony Z3

[Simon]

Mine is "within 90 days".

[sparky]

Strewth!   

Didn't think it would be that soon, I'm still trying to get to grips with Kit Kat ! LOL. 

[Steve]

Don't worry there's a possible delay.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/11/05/google-confirms-android-5-0-lollipop-delay/



Tongue in cheek - Apple would have released it on the advertised day and then scrambled around for a fix.

[Gary]

Don't worry there's a possible delay.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/11/05/google-confirms-android-5-0-lollipop-delay/



Tongue in cheek - Apple would have released it on the advertised day and then scrambled around for a fix.

At least all phones capable of running iOS 8 it would have got it at the same time without  OEM skins on top, a hell of a lot of android phones phones many never get lolipop, in fact some phone may only get one update before the next model hops out. Sony will have the Z4 out by the time the Z3 gets it 

[Steve]

True Gary but at least you can be reassured that the Android OS permitted will run on your phone, you've only got to look at the 4S running 8.1 as  method of deliberate obsolescence by Apple. I still have an iPad now nearly 2 years old that doesn't work as well as it did on the previous OS, I'm getting sick and tired of the sluggish response and repeated page load errors, certainly there's no way I'm splashing out £700 for hardware that an update renders as near as damn it useless in two years time.

[Simon]

I know people with iPhone 5s (fives) who refused to upgrade to iOS 7, primarily because they didn't like the new icons, and their phones are still running perfectly well.  OK, so they may not be able to run some of the latest apps, but the phones still do what they want them to do.  I don't believe there is really all that much of a security issue from not updating, with normal everyday use.  My boy still has an iPad 1, on iOS 6, and it works perfectly. 

[sparky]

Presumably, when Lollipop is released for the Nexus 5, it will be a case of being prompted that the update is available and then download it and install it if you want it? (I don't have automatic updates enabled).

In which case, I'll probably wait for the first lot of bugs to be ironed out.......

Please don't tell me it will just install itself anyway...

[Simon]

How do you disable auto updates? 

[sparky]

Ah Sorry Simon.

I got that wrong. I've disabled auto app updates, but looks like any system update will probably be automatic. 

[Simon]

I've not used an Android device that's updated before, but I would guess that there would at least be some sort of confirmation popup before a major upgrade is applied.  Whether there's an option to decline it is another question...

[Steve]

I have the option to be informed about system updates available- settings > about phone >

Back to Apple, a colleague at work is similarily struggling with an iPad that was perfectly functional prior to iOS 8, the only iPad I have that works as well as the day it was bought is the original iPad , which of course was denied early on future OS updates.

[Simon]

Oh, well spotted, Steve.  I have that option with options within to disable automatic updates. 

It also seems I have an upgrade waiting, to Android 4.4.4 KitKat, which, I have to admit, I thought I already had, but it seems not.   

[Steve]

What are you on anyway 4.4.2 which of course is an older version of KitKat

[Simon]

4.4.3.

[Steve]

The battery drain bug has apparently been fixed, so Nexus users should still see Lollipop this month.

[sparky]

I have the option to be informed about system updates available- settings > about phone >

I haven't in 4.4.4 

Or if I have, I can't find it.

Under "About Phone" it shows "System Updates" but pressing that just shows "System Up to Date" and "Check for Updates"

[Simon]

This is what I have on the HTC One M8...

[sparky]

Well, I can't find a screen that looks anything like that on my Nexus 5.

Crazy. (or I am) LOL

Just had a "google", looks like your screen-shot there is specific to HTC's.

[Steve]

If I recall on the Nexus 5 the update checker which you've found will prompt you as to whether you wish to install or not.

[Steve]

It's looking like the 12th of November at present for the Nexus 5. Btw the new version of Gmail ,5.0 I believe now accepts other accounts , so if you like it you don't need multiple mail apps.

[Steve]

Some of the Nexus factory images have now been released, no OTA yet . If you install these you will wipe your phone, I'll load them tomorrow I think.

https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#hammerhead

[Steve]

Nexus 5 now running Lollipop, it's bit of a faff installing from a factory image but there's plenty of instructions. Unlocking the boot loader does wipe the phone but Google very kindly restored most things, don't forget to lock it again afterwards ( you need to re enable developer options> usb debugging).  Didn't bother with sms as it's currently sim free .

It will of course be available OTA but impatience as usual got the better of me.

[MisterW]

There seem to to lollipop images for the Nexus 7 (both latest and 2012) and 10 as well...

[Simon]

So, do OTA updates also require a wipe and restore, or does it do it automatically like iOS?

[Steve]

Indeed none for the Nexus 4 when I last looked. Initial impressions are certainly positive, the recent items tabs (bottom right button) is very slick.

[Steve]

So, do OTA updates also require a wipe and restore, or does it do it automatically like iOS?

OTA should not loose any data,settings etc at all in theory, that's what I'll use for the Sony when it arrives early next year I guess.

[Glenn]

cyanogenmod have promised a Lollipop build for the OnePlus One, within 90 days of the official release. In the meantime, I'll wait for the OTA updates for my 7 & 10.

[Steve]

A bootloader unlock is a good excuse to test the backups

[nowster]

Nothing for Nexus 4 or the 3G variants of either Nexus 7 (2012 or 2013) yet. There are reports that the source repository has just received a WiFi bugfix for N4 too.

[Steve]

I suppose I should have mentioned  that unlocking the bootloader on a Nexus 5 leaves evidence behind however before you lock it again is possible to remove the evidence of tampering.

[nowster]

I suppose I should have mentioned  that unlocking the bootloader on a Nexus 5 leaves evidence behind however before you lock it again is possible to remove the evidence of tampering.

BootUnlocker app (root required) ?

[Steve]

I've not rooted the phone used this method.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/tutorial-how-to-flash-factory-image-t2513701

[Steve]

Temptation got the better of me whilst laid low with some nasty virus.  Lollipop rooted with CFautoRoot. TWRP recovery installed all backed up , played around with Cyanogen 11 which is of course KitKat 4.4. Impressed with TWRP very useful tool. Nice to have a spare phone you can mess with for awhile, at some point it will go back to stock and sold.

[Steve]

Seems like the trend is spreading from Apple i.e. lets mess up the older devices

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30116319


Glad to say the Nexus 5 runs lollipop very well when it's given the chance.

[Simon]

Ouch!  Hopefully things will be better by the time it reaches other handsets.  Is there a way back with these, other than by rooting?

[Steve]

The way back with the Nexus 5 does not involve rooting however you need to unlock the bootloader first. This wipes the phone's user data and leaves evidence of a tamper, you then flash the relevant manufacturers factory image .  Unlike Apple the previous versions are available ie


https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images

It is possible on some phones to then reset the tamper flag when re locking the bootloader. I believe the HTC one 8 is similar although the methods involved will be different for the unlock.

Sadly with the Sony Xperia Z3 you cannot unlock the bootloader without wiping a hidden partition , this partition contains the DRM keys for the proprietary software , the result being that lowlight camera performance is permanently degraded.

So as long as you research fully the phone model much or little is achievable

[Simon]

5 or 6 years ago, I'd have probably indulged, but now, it all just seems too much like hard work. 

[Steve]

Indeed often with little gain, certainly if you go at half baked there is the potential to cock things up. The custom roms for Android do offer an alternative perspective often with emphasis on differ attributes whether it be audio, a different browser not available unrooted, a simpler package that's quicker to navigate and use or indeed with cyanogenmod the latest Android software version which may be deemed unavailable for a particular model or the manufacturer is dragging their feet.

[sparky]

Glad to say the Nexus 5 runs lollipop very well when it's given the chance.

Steve, what do you mean by "when it's given the chance" ??

I've been offered the OTA Update, but am holding back on it at the mo as I'm new to android anyway, so still learning about my Nexus 5 with Kit Kat. I was thinking about holding off until 5.1 comes out, which probably won't be too long judging by the problems that seem to be flying around the net. 

[Steve]

Sparky I seem to be swapping ROMS between Cyanogenmod based on KitKat 4.4 and Android L. I'm not suggesting you try it but it's been a useful exercise for me whilst suffering from some nasty virus. Btw I've not had any WiFi issues yet on Android L although it is a second phone so use is infrequent, I did not use the OTA.zip either I performed a clean install. I would agree no harm in waiting if bugs are evident, it's probably going to take some time for the apps to update to the material design concept.

[nowster]

Mum has a Nexus 7 (2012, mobile). I warned her yesterday not to update. Not that there's an update for that model yet.

Must warn brother-in-law too...

[Gary]

Even the reg who love android is on about this, not just Apple dropping the ball these days it seems. 'People with Nexus 7 tablets say the latest major Android update – codenamed Lollipop – has slowed their slabs to a standstill. Google said today it is investigating the matter'  http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/11/20/google_android_lollipop/

[Steve]

Again it's likely an issue with older devices, in the last few years it appears that if your mobile device is two years or older be very careful when considering an OS upgrade. Of course it beggars belief why these issues are not highlighted  at launch, no one is telling me that the beta testing has not identified issues on older devices.

[Glenn]

Updated my Nexus 10 over the weekend, no problems to report so far, if anything it seems more responsive. The 7 is staying on 4.4 for a while though.

[nowster]

Google Now (Google Search) was sluggish, reporting "no internet connection" and crashing regularly. The fix was to clear all its data (over 80MB). Apart from seeing its welcome screens again, nothing was lost by doing the "clear data" operation.

[Steve]

As I posted elsewhere I do wonder whether it's the update process that's causing the issue, not everyone is able to perform a fresh install.

I would agree about the 7, I've seen rumours the OTA was pulled.

[Glenn]

5.0.1 is available, my Nexus 10 updated yesterday.

[Steve]

Indeed it's not across the range though yet.

[nowster]

Indeed it's not across the range though yet.

And some devices (eg. Nexus 7 with 3G) haven't even had 5.0 yet.