Android 5.0 Lollipop landing on Galaxy S5 devices in Russia and Malaysia
Everyone wants Android 5.0 Lollipop on their device. There are options and ways to make that happen, but a lot of people are plenty happy just getting the OTA from the manufacturer/carrier and running with it. Samsung hasn’t always been the largest proponent of updates to Android OS version updates in the past, but more […]
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How to install Lollipop-based CyanogenMod 12 on the Galaxy S2 (I9100)
The Samsung Galaxy S2 was released on February 13th, 2011, and was the predecessor of the first Android device to truly rival the iPhone in both sales and popularity. Four years is almost an eternity in the world of tech, but that hasn’t stopped the XDA Developers community of finding a way of getting a stable Android Lollipop build up and running on the Galaxy S2.
The build was posted by XDA user Lysergic Acid, and is a pure, yet unofficial Cyanogenmod 12 build. From what I have read in the thread, the newest version of the build seems fairly stable, but still has some issues with HD video recording and for some some internal storage bugs. This is a 5.0.2 Lollipop release, so there won’t be any signs of Touchwiz here. This particular build is for the I9100 only and does require root. Make sure you are flashing this ROM on the correct device before you get started.
As with most builds on XDA, you will need to root your device. I have rooted the S2 a million times, and although very simple to do, here’s the standard disclaimer: You root at your own risk. If you brick your device, Android Authority or XDA Developers are not responsible. You are in essence voiding your warranty, meaning Samsung can deny you service should they choose to.
Now if you decide you want to try it out, you can root your device (literally in minutes by following the simple step by step instructions here via Chainfire’s CF Root method). Once you have root, you’ll need a KitKat compatible custom recovery to flash the ROM.
Once you have root, do the following:
- MAKE A NANDROID BACKUP!
- Download the ROM and the Google Apps package from the XDA thread here and put it on your sd card.
- Boot into recovery and wipe all data.
- Flash the ROM.
- Flash the Gaaps package.
- Reboot your phone, and remember the first boot can take a little longer than usual.
- Profit.
If you want to see it running before flashing it, XDA member @Troubadour666 put together this video that shows the ROM running on the S2:
I imagine it was no easy feat getting CM12 to run on a four year old device (and especially this well), so be sure to hit that thanks button to everyone responsible if you choose to flash the ROM. While it’s not realistic to expect Lollipop to be as fast and smooth as it is on most (but not all) newer devices, having a stable daily driver in Lollipop will most likely excite a few S2 users out there. Be sure to let us know in the comments how it’s running on your Galaxy S2.
Report: Samsung to begin Lollipop rollout in US in January
With OEM skins, Android updates are something of a mixed bag, especially among top-tier products: the question isn’t really one of if, but instead when. Motorola, for example, has shuttered its Motoblur skin entirely, and gets updates out the door quickly. Samsung on the other hand, still requires some down-time before it can begin the roll-out. This year has seen the Korean giant speed things up considerably, with a [limited] Lollipop roll-out in select parts of Europe for the Galaxy S5 flagship some weeks ago. However, American customers are still left standing. But, not for long?
Thanks to Reddit user SamsungRep2015, we now know that the USA distribution for Android 5.0 Lollipop will begin in January. As nothing has been officially verified by Samsung USA, this information is still “unofficial”, however Reddit mods have apparently verified the authenticity of said user’s employment at Samsung. S/he reports that the Galaxy S5 will be the first to receive the update, followed by the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge, and then the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3, with tablets (such as the pair of Galaxy Tab S flagships) apparently coming in the fourth wave. The following screen capture reported to be from Samsung internal e-mails was also posted:
Despite the above image, there is no information provided as to which carriers this update will be coming to and when, nor is there any indication as to what version of Android Lollipop will be pushed: since its release, there have been three builds (5.0, 5.0.1, and 5.0.2) although the most recent seems to be currently relegated to the 2013 Nexus 7. Also missing are any details of the purported Galaxy Note 2 Lollipop update that may be reaching Europe eventually.
Still, as they say, “you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth”, and thus the effort Samsung is making to update its devices in a generally timely fashion is still something worth considering.
Android 5.0 Lollipop Update For Nvidia Shield Tablet Owners
Well if you just got an Nvidia Shield tablet like I did then good news, the Android 5.0 Lollipop update isn’t far behind. One lucky LTE Shield owner has posted a screenshot of the 2.0 Shield OTA update which shows some very exciting updates coming to all Shield owners. Before I get into it, this was a private OTA that the owner received on Nov 15th but that doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting. According to the screenshot posted by Vincent S, this update brings quite a few goodies for Shield tablet owners. Here are some of the more notable ones; Android 5.0 Lollipop, an updated Nvidia Grid (Nvidia’s on demand gaming service), update for Nvidia Dabbler, support for 4K output and various other tweaks/fixes to keep your Shield tablet running smooth.
I think after this update my Shield tablet will keep me from even thinking about getting the HTC Nexus 9 anytime soon. In both build quality and just sheer awesomeness I feel the Shield tablet just outperforms the Nexus 9 in more ways then one (queue benchmarks and trolls). But anyway, the official update is slated to arrive today, Nov. 18th, so get your “System Update” finger ready and pray that Nvidia has graced your Shield tablet with Lollipop goodness.
Source: Gadgetz Arena
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Take that Microsoft: Nokia announces the Nokia N1, a 7.9-inch Android 5.0 tablet
You had us worried Nokia. We almost thought we’d never see an Android Nokia device (the Nokia X really doesn’t count) and the fact Microsoft is ditching the Nokia name for its Lumia devices going forward didn’t have us feeling particularly confident. Perhaps it’s the scrapping of its brand, or the fact most of its employees were dumped by Microsoft not long after its acquisition, but Nokia has gone out on a limb and announced a new tablet, the Nokia N1, and guess what operating system it’s running – you guessed it, Android 5.0 Lollipop.
While many of Nokia’s final devices under its brand name were plastic and brightly coloured, the N1 is nothing short of sexy and sleek – the exterior of the device is one piece of anodized aluminium that is somehow 6.9mm thick and houses a 7.9-inch display. Inside the device is a 64-bit quadcore Intel Atom 2.4GHz processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage and a 5,300mAh battery. The software running on the N1 looks to be almost stock Android, but will run a thinly themed Z Launcher (remember that? It all makes sense now). I’m actually genuinely psyched to see Nokia release this tablet, but there is a bit of bad news, unless you live in China, Russia or select parts of Europe – the N1 will only be available in those regions starting in February in China, with no plans to launch anywhere else. We can only hope that Nokia eventually changes their mind.
What do you think about the Nokia N1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: BGR
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