Motorola has reportedly released the latest Android v5.1 Lollipop to the company's popular budget smartphone Moto E (1st Gen), just days after conducting soak test in India.
The new update has been made available to Moto E (2014) via OTA (Over-The-Air). The news comes just days after the company released same update to the 2015 models in Brazil.
This new firmware (build version: 23.21.15) brings performance tweaks, improved heads-up notifications, refurbished overview space, new priority alert option, flash-light short-cut in quick-setting, ambient display, estimated projection of battery-life left (and also time left for completion of charging), Smart Lock via companion device (Moto 360 smartwatch, a Bluetooth car kit or headset and others) and many other performance enhancing features.
[Read More: Android 5.1 Lollipop OTA Update Released to Motorola Moto E (2015); Soak Test Goes Live for Moto X (2013)]
How to install Android 5.1 Lollipop on Moto E (1st Gen) via OTA:
Once you receive a notification message for this update:
- Select "Yes, I accept".
- After you finish downloading the software, select "Install Now".
- When the software is installed, the phone will automatically restart.
- Now, your phone is updated with the latest version 23.21.15.
We like to remind that OTA updates are released in stages, so it will take some time to reach all corners of the country.
So Moto E (1 Gen) can check for updates manually by going to Settings >> About Phone >> System Updates >> Download
Once downloaded, the phone will automatically re-start and get upgraded to the new firmware.
[Read more: Android 5.0 Lollipop: Top Key Features of New Google Mobile OS]
In a related development, first generation Motorola Moto X is soon expected to receive the Android 5.1 Lollipop.
The company has begun soak test for the device in USA; so, if things go as planned, Moto X (2013) owners are expected to experience the candy-flavoured Lollipop features by this month-end or in June.
[Read more: Why Motorola Skipped Android v5.0.2 Lollipop to v5.1 for Moto X (2013) ]
Official change-log details of Android 5.1 Lollipop on Moto E (1st Gen):
| Material Design | You will quickly notice a whole new colorful look and feel to your device - from fluid animations to new application and system themes, colors and widgets. |
| Notifications UI & Priorities | In order to alert you to the most timely and relevant information, the format and behavior of notifications have evolved:
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| New Interruptions & Downtime Settings | You can tailor how interruptions behave, choosing to allow all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can personalize what counts as a priority interruption (reminders, events, calls, messages) and even tailor them to be from only contacts you specify. The Downtime setting will allow only priority interruptions during the times and days that you specify. e.g. allow only priority interruptions on the weekend. |
| Recent Apps (Multi-tasking) | The redesigned Overview space (formerly called Recents) will include both applications and separate activities within those applications. For instance, each open tab in Chrome will also appear here along with recent applications; both your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message will appear as separate cards. This provides a consistent way to switch amongst tasks. |
| Ambient Display | While your phone's display is off, Ambient Display can show notifications without turning on the full display. This will be triggered when a notification arrives. You will see notifications similar to that shown on the lockscreen. You can turn this feature on in the Display menu in Settings, and note that it will increase the power consumption of your device. |
| Motorola Assist and Downtime | Motorola Assist integrates the new Downtime settings to control when you don't want to be disturbed. Motorola Assist also now uses the new Interruptions settings so that you can customize exceptions, such as letting only people on your starred contacts list get through. |
| Flashlight | Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it). |
| Quick Settings | You can quickly select different Wi-Fi access points or different paired Bluetooth devices with a new pull-down menu on each tile. Conditional settings tiles that only show if you use the feature - like "Invert Colors" or "Hotspot" - can now be hidden via a long-press on the tile. |
| Pin a view/app | Screen pinning allows you to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can 'pin' a game and your child will not be able to navigate anywhere else on your phone. |
| Battery | The Battery settings panel now shows an estimated projection for how much time you have left while discharging or charging. You can also enable a new battery saver mode that will save power by reducing performance and most background data operations to extend your battery life. |
| Smarter Internet Connections | With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch. |
| Performance | Your phone now uses the new Android Runtime to help optimize application performance. After upgrading to Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more space. |
| Smart Lock (Trusted Devices) |
Android Lollipop adds native support for allowing trusted devices to keep your phone unlocked (such as your Moto 360, a Bluetooth car kit or headset, etc.). Smart Lock replaces the prior trusted device capability in your Motorola phone. Note that you will need to add your trusted devices back after the transition to Lollipop in the Security settings menu under Smart Lock. |
