Lollipop is on it's way to Nexus devices

[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.