Android 5.1 is, of course, not the version of the operating system that will revolutionize the life of your smartphones and tablets, but you will probably check for an update for several days in a row as soon as you find out that Google has already released it and the manufacturer of your smartphone has updated the firmware. All in all, we need to discuss the great new features that you will get with the new Android.

1. Access quick settings from the lock screen

With Android 5.1, you can pull down the top curtain to access quick settings at any time, even on a PIN-locked smartphone. This means you can quickly turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or turn on the flashlight without unlocking your smartphone, but it also means that your friends can surprise you behind your back and, at a minimum, turn the screen brightness up to maximum.

2. Customize quick settings

You may not have noticed, but in quick settings it will now be possible to add additional switches (for Wi-Fi points access, color inversion, etc.). Android 5.0 already had all this, but they could not be removed. Now with a long press you can select the switch and hide it.

3. Improved device security

Perhaps the biggest change is the introduction of a Device Protection option - already available on the Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and new devices running Android 5.1. This feature is automatically enabled if you have set a secure screen lock method (such as a PIN) and have added various security measures to make it difficult for anyone else to access the device (for example, the device will remain locked even after a factory reset until the password for your Google account will not be entered).

4. Call with HD sound quality

Google added a pretty cool feature in Android 5.1 - support for high-definition audio, but you'll need to have a compatible device for the feature to work and the appropriate network - Nexus 6 and T-Mobile or Verizon. if you have necessary equipment and a strong enough signal, you will hear the interlocutor as if he were standing next to you.

5. Priority mode until the alarm goes off

If you don't use the priority mode, then it's worth taking a closer look at it. It allows you to automatically or manually turn off sound notifications for a certain period of time (when you are sleeping, for example). In Android 5.1 Google company added the ability to activate priority mode before the alarm goes off (when you need to get out of bed).

6. Support two SIM cards simultaneously

Even if you don't have Dual-SIM smartphone, but with Android 5.1 Lollipop there will be support for simultaneous operation of two SIM cards on one phone. There is no doubt that such an option will be very necessary in developing countries, where such smartphones are extremely popular, as well as for those who like to travel. The dialer application will allow you to choose which SIM card to call from and the active card will be indicated using a specific interface color so that you do not confuse the SIM card.

7. Connect more easily

In Android 5.0, in quick settings, clicking on the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi switch could only turn the connection on or off. Fortunately, in Android 5.1 this function will be significantly expanded and you will already have the ability to automatically scan nearby networks or devices; by tapping on the icon, you will see a list of available connections.

8. Temporarily disable notifications

Android notifications now pop up at the top of the screen when new information appears. In Android 5.0 Lollipop, you could swipe notifications off the screen or just wait for them to disappear. In Android 5.1 Lollipop, you can swipe up on a notification to quickly dismiss a notification, but other notifications will only appear in the top bar and not take up space on the screen.

9. Changing the volume of system sounds during music playback

Of course, not the most revolutionary function, but a useful feature. In Android 5.0, while playing music, by pressing the volume buttons you could only change the volume of the music itself, now you can click on the bell icon on the right and change the system sound level. You will have access to various priority modes and settings without interrupting music playback. You can change the alarm volume inside the watch app as well.

10. Ignoring weak Wi-Fi networks

Surely you are eagerly trying to immediately connect to an available Wi-Fi network as soon as you get to the local catering establishment. Typically, such establishments provide access to broadband Wi-Fi, but if Android 5.1 connects to a Wi-Fi network with a weak, intermittent signal, it will remember this network and will not automatically connect to it in the future.

Many smartphone or tablet users are intimately familiar with the operating system on their device. For the most part, this is the operating system from Google - Android. iOS is no less common and Windows is much less common. Despite the fact that each system is good in its own way, different versions of the same OS can be very different from each other and turn out to be very successful or extremely bad. More recently, version Android 7.0 appeared, but a large number of devices are still sold on Android 5.1Lollipop and it is its pros and cons that will be discussed in the article.

Advantages of the system

During the release of the fifth version of Android, many innovations were announced that, to one degree or another, turned out to not work at all or not work at all. Version 5.1 was supposed to fix these bugs and some of them actually disappeared.

Appeared in OS 5.1 smart stolen phone protection function. Smartphones with this system can be blocked remotely and the block cannot be removed unless you log into Google account. Function Device Protection works even when an attacker resets the device to factory settings. Previously, this action allowed one to bypass the protection of the smartphone and made it very vulnerable.

Android version 5.1, unlike version 5, now has the ability to manage two SIM cards. Previously, to achieve this, device manufacturers had to independently modify operating system, now the function works immediately. In theory, a smartphone with a “bare” OS can immediately work with two SIM cards, which is quite difficult to verify, because all manufacturers install their own firmware and shells, which essentially provide users with the opportunity to use two SIM cards. As you know, only the Nexus line comes with a pure system, but these phones themselves are not designed for two cards.

Improved HDVoice. Previously, the developers said that now the function will allow for better speech transmission; it has begun to distinguish between dull and voiced sounds, however, there is one point. Both phones must be running Android version 5.1.

In addition to functional changes, the system received a number of design changes.

1. The contacts menu, or rather their editing, has undergone major changes.
2. Many icons and pictograms have received animation
3. When you block an application, a hint immediately appears telling you how to unblock it later. Previously, the reverse action caused some problems.
4. Quick settings can now also be quickly deleted.
5. Access to Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth-enabled devices has been simplified.
6. The unlocking process has become more convenient, and pop-up notifications can be hidden by swiping up.
7. When playing audio, users can adjust the volume of system sounds, which was previously impossible to do and often caused some inconvenience.
8. Fixed flashlight operation. In the previous version, after a few minutes the flash would turn off and an error would appear on the screen.
9. The downside was the lack of a silent mode function. Many users asked for it to be added, but the promise remained unfulfilled.

System Performance

In general, according to users, the version 5.1 system works an order of magnitude faster than 5.0. even with big amount running applications the phone does not slow down, and applications do not close on their own, as happened before. It began to clog much more slowly RAM. Version 5.0 already after two or three days showed that the RAM was completely occupied, the phone required cleaning and worked much less. Tests more new system showed that there is no such problem. Improved performance was also noticed in applications for evaluating AnTuTu and 3DMark, such as in the first program new Android received a score of 39,890 versus 35,720, and in the second, these numbers were -16,193 versus 14,481.

It is worth noting that these figures were obtained on a top-end smartphone at the time the OS was released and, accordingly, these advantages may not be noticeable on weak devices, and this will be discussed below.

Minuses

Despite the large number of advantages, the system also has a number of disadvantages.

Performance. Android version 5.1 works quite quickly under certain conditions, namely 3 GB RAM. The minimum value is 2 GB, and even now, more than a year after the system was released, such figures are far from small, because devices with such memory are in the middle price segment, or rather closer to the high price segment, which means that for many users they remain inaccessible and it turns out that budget smartphone with a small amount of RAM is obviously slow and weak.

Minus the second - interface. It was said earlier that many changes have been introduced and, in general, they are useful, but the main disadvantages are the large number of settings in the pubescent curtain. Previously, there were fewer of them, and additional ones could be opened in a special submenu, but now everything opens at once and sometimes it’s not easy to navigate.

Second minus - color design . But by default, the panels turn out to be pale blue, which is not at all pleasing to the eye and sometimes even annoying. Of course, launchers allow you to quickly fix the situation, but in the original version it could have been more beautiful.

The tendency to simplify is also not a plus. For several years now, all developers have been trying to make their systems more adaptive and simpler for users, but in the race for this simplicity they make everything too primitive. Many icons are crammed into one place, and the screen ends up being empty. The gallery was replaced with a Photos folder, which is designed to work in the cloud and without an Internet connection the user has all the pictures piled up in one pile.

Another important disadvantage was the simplification of notifications. Previously, it was clear in the tray that a system message or notification of a letter had arrived, now it’s just an application icon, and what it wants to tell the user is unclear.

Conclusion

In general, the Android 5.1 system is quite successful under a number of conditions - powerful smartphone and user settings. Owners of powerful devices, after a number of improvements, will receive an excellent, functional OS, but owners of weak phones and supporters of leaving “everything as is” will probably receive only negative emotions from version 5.1.

Android 5.0 Lollipop is one of the biggest updates released by Google for software android. The fifth version of Android has already appeared on the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, and is gradually appearing on all other Android devices.

Android Lollipop firmware includes many features that provide excellent usability. Some of these characteristics are visible to the naked eye and are easily accessible, while others are unfamiliar to many. So we will give some Android Lollipop tips, show you some tricks, reveal the hidden features that you need to know about, so you will be ready to upgrade your device to Android Lollipop.

Flappy Bird clone

Android Lollipop has a new toy, similar to the well-known Flappy Bird. However, the bird was replaced by a green Android robot. To play this game, go to [Settings] - [About Device] and tap on the [Android Version] line several times until the lollipop appears. Long press on the candy cane image and the game will launch. Just tap on the screen to start playing. Enjoy!

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Smart lock(Smart Lock)

Android Lollipop has a new lock called Smart Lock. It's designed to protect your device easier than ever. This feature will allow you to avoid the lock screen when you are in a trusted environment.

This means that if you are paired to a known device via Bluetooth or connected via NFC to a device such as, smart watch or car stereo, you don't need to worry about entering a PIN or password. To enable this feature, go to [Settings] - [Security] - [Smart Lock] and install Bluetooth devices that you trust.

Blocking in the application

To improve security, Google has introduced a new feature called App Lock, which allows you to lock a specific app on your Android device.

When enabled, no other settings or apps can be opened except for the pinned app. This can be useful if you are in a situation where your friends or a stranger has your phone.

To enable App Lock, go to [Settings] - [Security] and turn on [App Lock]. Then open the app you want to pin, click Browse (formerly Multitasking), scroll up, click the pushpin icon in the bottom right corner of the open app.

To remove the lock, long press the Back and Review buttons at the same time.

Notification priority

In terms of alerts and notifications, Android 5.0 Lollipop has a new priority mode that allows you to control which notifications you receive. It's somewhat reminiscent of the Do Not Disturb mode that was implemented in iOS 8, which allows you to set your phone to silent mode at a certain time every day so as not to disturb you.

You can also select contacts that will not be blocked. To use priority mode, go to [Settings] - [Sounds and notifications] - [Do not disturb].

Battery Saver

Battery saving is one of the best new features in Android Lollipop. When turned on, vibration is turned off, background traffic is stopped, and brightness is reduced. You can enable this feature manually or trust it to turn on automatically, for example, when your battery charge reaches 15% or 5%. You will know that it has worked by the red-orange color of the notification line. To set the battery saving mode, go to [Settings] - [Battery] and press the menu button.

Many users

Now you can install multiple users on Android. There are three types of accounts that can be set up in Lollipop. The first account is a user account that has full access to all settings and applications. The second account is a guest account that doesn't allow you to write or save anything, so you don't have to worry about someone messing with your configuration settings or anything else. And finally, a third account, in which the owner of the device can set, for example, how this device will be used and disable certain applications. You can quickly add a new account by clicking on the profile icon in the upper right corner of the lock screen or by going to the main settings menu. If you want to add restrictions and manage each account, go to the main settings menu and select a user.

Flashlight

We finally have a built-in flashlight! With this feature, you now don't have to download a third-party flashlight app. The flashlight can be found in the notification bar. Simply pull down the notification bar shade with two fingers and then tap on the flashlight. Please note that this application will only work if your camera has a flash.

Search by settings

Android Lollipop includes a new Settings Search feature that lets you search for specific settings. When you go to the Settings app, you'll see a magnifying glass icon in the top right corner. It appears on most pages inside the Settings app.

To search, click on the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of the settings menu and start typing what you're looking for. As you type, a list of relevant results will appear.

Tap &Go

Android Lollipop also makes it easier to transfer content from one device to another by enabling Tap & Go mode. Now with this function you can quickly transfer from your old phone all the data saved in your Google account, including applications and their data.

Tap & Go uses NFC to sync the two devices and Bluetooth to transfer all the details that need to be installed on the new phone.

Conclusion

Lastly, we would like to talk about one more feature that Google has implemented in Lollipop. We know that when your phone's screen goes dark, you need to press the power key to turn it on, but now instead, you can double-tap the screen to wake up the device.

After numerous miniature Android updates, the developers have announced a major update to Android 5.1 Lollipop, now official.

Factory images are already available for download, and as you probably guessed, journalists have updated their Nexus 5 to latest version Android to check what's new since the previous OS version and determine if the right steps have been taken in the right direction.

Google highlighted only a few new features to the public - multi-SIM support, increased device security and HD voice calling on compatible phones, plus an improved quick switch panel. In addition, numerous bug fixes have been made. Most of these little things led to fixing the memory leak issues in the first place.

According to the first impressions of journalists, it behaves noticeably more stable than the previous Lollipop. The Material Design philosophy has been slightly refined, resulting in noticeable improvements in animations.

However, foreign resources have noticed several other small changes in the latest version of Android.

1. Partial return of silent mode

The quiet mode switch, which temporarily interrupts all sounds and vibrations, returns again on Android 5.1, but in a slightly distorted version. Users managed to feel a really big lack of this function. But the developers still did not hear the complaints. In this regard, one of the new features is the inclusion of an LED notification indicator for incoming notifications, regardless of the set sound mode on the phone. As you probably know, in Android 5.0.x the indicator is not allowed to blink in silent mode.

2. Wi-Fi switch improvement

In Android 5.0.x Lollipop, tapping the text directly below the Wi-Fi toggle (which displays the network name) will automatically take you to a selection menu with Wi-Fi highlighted. In Android 5.1, tapping on the network name will open a Wi-Fi selection menu right inside the notifications.

3. Bluetooth switch improvement

As in the previous case, clicking on the text directly below the Bluetooth icon will open a special menu with nearby Bluetooth devices directly in the notifications. But remember that this new menu will not allow you to search for available devices. In order to do this, you will still have to go to the Bluetooth menu in settings. This means you no longer need to leave an app to switch between paired Bluetooth devices.

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4. Improved screen lock

In locked mode on Android 5.1, if you swipe down from the notification bar, you can unlock the phone by going beyond open menu. If, however, you swipe up in the notification settings, the phone will lock again. It's subtle Android change 5.0.x: Previously, the user remained in locked mode anyway.

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5. Hiding Invert/WiFi Hotspot

If you've already tried Android 5.0 Lollipop, you may have unintentionally added two toggles to your quick settings - invert colors and Wi-Fi Hotspot. Unfortunately, once enabled, there is no option to remove them from quick settings. But Android 5.1 allows you to remove unnecessary elements. Once they appear, simply press and hold the corresponding switch, then click “Hide”.

6. More convenient docking screen

The pinning screen that debuted with Lollipop was useful, but its unfinished appearance was intimidating to users. IN new version OS, the function operates on the same principles, but offers a more convenient interface.

7. Improved heads-up notifications

After receiving notifications and having them pop up at the top of the display, you can now swipe to hide them but keep the notification itself in the top row.

8. No breaks until the next alarm.

This is a handy addition to Priority mode: if you set an alarm, you'll have the option to turn on Priority mode until the alarm goes away. In other words, idle mode and notifications are now in proper order.

9. Device protection

We wrote about this innovation above. Lost or stolen devices will now remain locked until the original user logs in account Google. The lock remains active even after a factory reset. That's good to hear. New feature Security will initially only be available on the Nexus 6 and 9, but Google plans to expand support to many more devices running Android 5.1.

And the last innovation already mentioned affected the main function of the phone. Owners of compatible phones will be able to enjoy crystal clear voice calls if their operator cellular communications supports this feature. T-Mobile's Nexus 6 or its upcoming Verizon variant, for example, are among those compatible devices.

• The system now supports working with two or more SIM cards (previously to third party manufacturers I had to modify the software for this).

• Device Protection lets you lock your stolen or lost device until you sign in to your Google Account, even if an attacker resets it to factory settings. The function will be available on all smartphones and tablets, shipping with Android 5.1, as well as Nexus 6 and Nexus 9.

• Improved voice call quality with HD Voice. Thanks to it, the quality of transmitted speech improves and individual sounds, for example, voiced and voiceless consonants, are better recognized. However, the devices of both interlocutors must run Android 5.1 Lollipop, and the telecom operator must support HD Voice technology.

Interface changes

The following points should be noted in the interface changes:

• Hide notifications by swiping up;
• Faster unlocking of the device when the top tray is open;
• Quick access to the list of available Wi-Fi networks And Bluetooth devices from the settings panel;

• Ability to delete previously added quick settings;

• Adding animation to the auto-rotate icon;
• Adding animation to the icons of various submenus in the Clock application;
• When you enable the "App Lock" feature, a hint on how to disable it now pops up every time;

• Silent mode did not appear. By the way, there were earlier reports that the option “Do not disturb until the next alarm goes off” will appear in the notification settings, but as there were two options “Indefinitely” or “A specific period of time”, they remain so;

• The contact editing menu has been redesigned in Material Design style.

• Fixed a bug in the flashlight. The turned on flash turned off spontaneously after some time of operation, and the user saw an error message.
• While playing music, it is now possible to control the volume of system sounds (calls and notifications). To do this, you need to press the volume key once and in the menu that appears on the right, click on the call icon.

Performance

According to personal feelings, Android 5.1 began to work much faster. Switching between browser tabs, scaling “heavy” sites, switching between applications, scrolling news, navigating through settings - everything happens smoothly, but at the same time quickly, without slowdowns. Perhaps this is just a subjective opinion, and the system is not yet clogged with third-party garbage, but at the time of checking, about 100 applications were installed on the smartphone. With the same number of programs, even clean system Android 5.0.1 worked relatively slowly, and slight stutters were noticeable.

Running applications do not close randomly yet, but more time is needed to check. Previously, my Nexus 5's RAM would fill up within a few days, after which opening any application would cause all others to close unexpectedly. At least, I have already noticed that Instagram has stopped “crashing” just like that. On the other hand, when trying to record video via Rec. This message appeared several times: site. The over-the-air update will begin soon. As for other devices, new firmware will appear gradually, and there is no doubt that everyone will receive the update.

Android 5.1 Lollipop update is yet another Google step on the way to the ideal OS. A lot of work has been done on bugs, performance has been improved, new small, but at the same time important functions have been added to make it easier for the user to communicate with the device. Among the minuses, it is worth noting the lack of a silent mode and the interface’s not fully optimized operation. To check other aspects Android work 5.1, more time is needed.

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