Google has officially announced the Android 5.1 Lollipop update, a new release which focuses on support for features which previously required extra software to function. The official Google blog states that this first major update for Android Lollipop improves stability and performance, in addition to offering new features including multiple SIM card support, Device Protection and higher-quality HD calling on compatible handsets.
The addition of multi-SIM support seems to be relevant primarily to Android One phones, all of which have two SIM slots. Google released Android One smartphones in Indonesia last month already running Android Lollipop 5.1 out-of the box. Of course, multi-SIM support is common on phones including smartphones, but this update means that OEMs will no longer have to leverage custom software to add support for dual-SIM handsets.
The 5.1 build will bring native HD Voice calling, which will be better supported across the entire platform, with T-Mobile and Verizon specifically mentioned in the announcement. The search giant points out further enhancements such as the ability to join Wi-Fi networks and control Bluetooth paired device options directly from Quick Settings. We expect bugs such as the random Wi-Fi disconnect issues and the memory leak which causes apps to close in the background to have been fixed with this update as well.
Device Protection is a new security safeguard which works like Apple's Find My iPhone. It allows users to lock a lost or stolen device until they sign back into their Google account, even if the phone has been reset back to factory settings. The new feature, which basically binds your device to your Google account, will be available on "most" handsets shipped with Android 5.1 in addition to the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, meaning that it will probably not be included in the latest flagship phones shipping with Android 5.0.
Although Google has not stated specifically how it is rolling out Android 5.1, T-Mobile USA has hinted that Nexus device owners could get their 5.1 upgrades as early as today. There will likely be a longer wait for those of us who own handsets from other vendors, many of whom are still struggling to finish their 5.0 rollouts. Meanwhile some Android device owners are still waiting for any version of Lollipop to appear for their smartphones with the likes of Sony recently saying only its Xperia Z series would receive the update to Lollipop 5.0.
