AT&T doubles down with Android 5.0 for Galaxy Note 3 today too
Earlier this morning I let you wonderful Samsung Galaxy Note 4 owners on AT&T‘s network know that your patience was about to be rewarded. AT&T started to push the 1.2GB Android 5.0 update to Note 4 via a Wi-Fi only update. It looks like the Note 4 wasn’t the only one to see the update […]
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Android 5.0 Lollipop beginning to roll out for the AT&T Galaxy Note 3
Following in the Galaxy Note 4’s footsteps from earlier today, Android 5.0 Lollipop is now beginning to roll out to the AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The update comes in at a hefty 1.2GB and carries build number N900AUCUEOC1.
Much like other updates on AT&T, this build of Android 5.0 is rolling out in stages. So if you have an AT&T Note 3 and haven’t received the update yet, don’t fret – it will make its way to your device within the next few days. When you do receive the update notification, make sure you’re on a solid Wi-Fi connection, as the update can’t be downloaded using your mobile data plan.
With all that said, what exactly are you getting with the 5.0 update? For starters, you’ll get a good amount of Material Design enhancements, though the design changes are much less noticeable on Samsung devices. You’ll also receive the usual slew of Lollipop features including priority mode notifications, new battery saving features, more security improvements and much, much more.
If you have yet to receive the update and would like to check manually, head to Settings>General>About device>Software updates>Check for updates.
Have you received your Android 5.0 update yet? How are you liking it so far?
Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA rolling out for AT&T Galaxy Note 4
The push to update devices across carriers to Android 5.0 Lollipop continues weekly for many devices. The AT&T branded Galaxy Note 4 owners can now join the ranks of Lollipop badge holders as the OTA update is officially rolling out to devices today. The update carries build number LRX22C.N910AUCU1COC2 and moves the device from Android […]
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New Lollipop “on-body” mode keeps your phone unlocked as long as you’re carrying it
Google is rolling out a new smart lock mode based on detecting whether you’re holding or carrying your device in the pocket.
The new feature is only available to Lollipop users, though you don’t have to be on a stock ROM in order to get it. However, activating it does seem to require the latest Google Play Services version, 7.0.97.
Here’s how it works. The “On-body detection” feature can be turned on from the Smart Lock section of Security settings. Once switched on, the device will stay unlocked as long as it detects that it’s being held or carried in a pocket, handbag, or the like. When the phone is set down (movement is no longer the detected) it locks up, so the next time you pick it up you’ll need to enter your PIN, password, or pattern.
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On-body detection will bring down the number of times you have to unlock your device in a day, especially if you’re on the move a lot. If you’re like me, sitting at a desk all day, the effect will be less visible, but you may still find it useful.
Obviously, the phone can’t tell (yet…) whether it’s you or someone else carrying the phone. If someone steals your device from your pocket or purse, they will be able to sneak through it without any restrictions. So if you want the very best protection, it’s better to keep this feature off. However, the thief won’t be able to disable the lock screen, and the moment the phone stops moving it will lock up. Plus, most phones are stolen when they are left unattended anyway.
I’ve tested the feature on a Nexus 5 running 5.0.1, and it works as it’s supposed to. Personally, I will activate on-body detection on my devices from now on – the convenience it adds trumps the small security risk it opens.
Given that the feature is not present on all Lollipop devices, on-body detection appears to be activated on a per-user basis. Note: if you’re not on the latest Play Services version, you might see a different entry in Smart Lock, called “Trusted behavior (experimental).” This appears to be the old name of On-body detection; as soon as you get the update Play Services, it should switch to the new name.
Let us know if you’ve got the feature and if you’re going to set it on.
(Update: Xperia Z2 and some tablets) Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact getting Lollipop update
Update, March 17: Sony has kicked off the rollout for the Xperia Z2, the Xperia Tablet Z3 Compact, and the Xperia Z2 Tablet (Wi-Fi and LTE). As per Xperia Blog, Scandinavian and Baltic countries are getting the updates first. To check if you’re on the list, go to Settings>About phone.
Original post, March 16:
Just as rumored, Sony has finally kicked off the Lollipop upgrade for its Xperia devices, starting with the top of the line: the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact.
Sony has begun updating the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact in Europe, with the Nordic and Baltic countries getting first dibs. As always, the actual availability of the update for your device will depend on your market, carrier, and specific model.
According to a posting on Sony’s official blog, the Lollipop (Android 5.0.2) update will bring the following enhancements to the software of the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact:
- “Fresh, streamlined looks” based on Material Design that retains Sony’s “minimalistic” approach to UI design
- New card-based notification style and lockscreen
- Multi-user support and guest mode
- Android for Work
- Ability to move apps to and from the microSD card
If you’re curious to see what Sony means by “fresh” and “minimalistic,” folks over at XDA (via Xperia Blog) have secured several screenshots of the new UI:
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Sony hasn’t specified it again, but today’s post links to the list published back in October of Xperia Z smartphone and tablets that will get to join the Lollipop club.
If you own a Sony device other than Xperia Z series, you’re probably wondering what Sony has in store for you, and we’re afraid we don’t have any good news on this front. Sony is mum about it, and it looks like that non-Xperia-Z devices will really be left behind.
Sony says updates for more Xperia Z devices will begin rolling out in “around two weeks’ time” so stay tuned for more.
What do you think of Sony’s Lollipop upgrade performance?
Android Lollipop soak test for Moto X (2013) begins
Original Moto X (2013) owners have been waiting for the sought after Android Lollipop update ever since Motorola announced it would be included in the list of devices receiving the updates. Furthermore, seeing the new Moto X (2014) get the update less than two weeks after Lollipop was given to companies accelerated consumers desires for the update. Patience is paying off, as this past weekend Motorola started to invite people to take part in the soak test for the Moto X (2013) Lollipop update.
On Google+, Luciano Carvalho addressed the news that broke out about the soak test this weekend, and confirmed that it was indeed going out. He confirmed that this test is for Android Lollipop version 5.0.2, and that there were no current plans for 5.1. The update for the original has been difficult to work on, considering the original Moto X had the unique X8 computing chip. Nevertheless, Luciano Carvalho has been working very hard to be communicative, despite many Google+ users complaints (Honestly people, give the man a break).
If I were a betting man, I’d say that the jump from 5.0.2 to 5.1 will be easier to implement than the jump from 4.4.4 to 5.0.2, since there won’t be as many changes (though there are certainly many changes to Android 5.1). Also, the update to Android Lollipop is supposed to bring some sweet Motorola-specific updates to the first gen Moto X, which is certainly more than just updating to Android Lollipop. However, not only do I not gamble, but I don’t work in software, so I am definitely no official source of information. All I can say is, Motorola has really proven themselves recently, and I personally have faith we will see an Android Lollipop update to our Moto X (2013) devices very soon.
Keep a lookout for an update to Motorola Update Services on your Moto X (2013), as you’ll need that in order to upgrade your device to Android Lollipop.
Source: Luciano Carvalho
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2nd Gen Moto E to hit Verizon along side Nexus 6 March 12th
Tomorrow is the big day for Verizon to be fashionably late to the game with the launch of the Nexus 6. It will only be available online to start, but will hit retail stores on the 19th. Coming along for the ride will be Motorola’s more recently announced budget device, the 2nd gen Moto E. […]
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Sony could start rolling out Lollipop from next week, according to Sony Indonesia
The much anticipated Lollipop update for Sony Xperia devices could arrive from next week, according to a posting on Sony’s official Indonesian Facebook page.
Back in January, Sony hinted it would begin rolling out Lollipop from February, but as we’re approaching mid-March, we’re yet to hear anything solid. Unofficially, we’ve been hearing that Sony is leaving phones other than the Xperia Z series behind and we’ve got a glance at what Lollipop may look like thanks to a couple of leaked screenshots.
Now we may finally get to see that promised update. Sony Indonesia says the Lollipop OTA is scheduled for week 12, which is next week. Of course, this is only valid for Indonesia, as Sony will probably opt for a staged roll out, and there’s no information on which devices will actually get their Lollipop serving. There is, however, a partial changelog mentioned in the posting, which includes:
- A “bold new user interface” inspired by Google’s Lollipop and Sony’s “expertise”
- Improved lock screen with notification cards
- Multi-user support
- Ability to move apps to microSD
The OTA file will be about 1.2GB in size, according to the post, and take about 20 minutes to install.
Again, we shouldn’t read too much into this, even if it comes from an official channel – things can change last minute, and even if Sony does begin to push out Lollipop in Indonesia next week, you may have to wait a lot more, depending on your market and carrier.
T-Mobile HTC One M7 to see Android 5.0 Lollipop starting March 10th
All those HTC One M7 owners out there holding out on T-Mobile will have something delicious to look forward soon. HTC’s Mo Versi let loose a tweet this afternoon that the magenta carrier has shipped over technical approval for Android 5.0 Lollipop for the first One device and is set to start on March 10th. […]
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Sony to bring Android 5.0 Lollipop only to Xperia Z branded devices
We know Android 5.0 Lollipop is a very powerful version of Android. It is also one that requires very little hardware in order run. With manufacturers like Motorola stuffing it inside lower end devices like the Moto E, it would only make sense to assume that other manufacturers might be looking to do the same, […]
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