Android's latest 5.0.2 mobile operating system update for Lollipop is arriving as an over the air (OTA) download for several of Google's own Nexus phones, but where does the patch stand for the popular Motorola Moto X 1st and 2nd generation devices?
The Motorola Moto X Pure Edition was one of the first devices to receive the original Android 5.0 Lollipop update late last year, and since then, Verizon has come forward as the first U.S. carrier to upgrade the second edition (2014) of the popular high-end Moto X phone. But the 1st generation 2013 edition of the Moto X has yet to make that upgrade as users patiently wait for the improvements brought forth with the jump to Android 5.0.2.
Android 5.0 Lollipop was released on November 3 of last year to a somewhat rocky launch. Several bugs involving cell connection issues, wi-fi connection issues, premature battery drain, and severe app lag plagued the early adopters on Nexus, LG, and Motorola devices.
But Google quickly released a patch to fix what was thought to be the most pressing issues, and patch 5.0.1 was born. Unfortunately, that patch introduced even more severe bugs that made some phones and tablets completely useless, so another patch came in the form of Android 5.0.2 in December.
But while less than 0.1% of Android users are even attempting Android Lollipop at this point, those who are want to make sure they're able to enjoy the latest and greatest that Google has to offer in the software.
Android 5.0 Lollipop brings with it a brand new Material Design interface that is not only cleaner and more efficient, but it's also more user-friendly. Lollipop also brings an overhaul to the notifications system, improved battery life, a shiny new color palette, improved app structure, and more.
As for the Moto X, it has enjoyed a few firsts of its own, despite this recent delay with Lollipop 5.0.2. The 1st generation Moto X was the first smartphone to receive Android 4.4 KitKat back in 2013, and the 2014 Moto X was the first of the Motorola devices to receive Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Motorola has already confirmed that several of its devices will be eventually receiving the original 5.0 Lollipop, including both generations of the Moto X, both generations of the Moto G, the Moto G 4G LTE, the Droid Turbo, the Moto E, the Droid Ultra, the Droid Maxx, and the Droid Mini.
Plus, a recent message from a Motorola employee spilled the beans on the expectations of that latest 5.0.2 update coming "very soon" to all 2013 and 2014 Motorola devices. The question is, which one will be first?
With all of this in mind, it's interesting to think that that 0.1% number for Lollipop users seems to be stalled according to the reception of the new software after its November release. Obviously, most Android users are just fine using older, more stable software (more Android users are actually using 2010's Froyo than Lollipop at this point!), but there's already been talk of a jump to Android 5.1 in or around July of 2015.
If Google is working on a be-all-end-all fix for all the problems we've seen in 5.0, 5.01, and 5.0.1 so far, it's believed that they're willing to take their time with 5.1 and make sure it scrubs out every last one of those lingering bugs. And that might just be what Motorola and the other manufacturers -- including U.S. carriers -- are waiting for.
