Android 5.1 L Update Release Date on Moto G 1st Generation, Coming Soon to Moto X, Moto E And DROID Models

By Shawn Schuster
Android 5.1 Running on a Moto G
Android 5.1 Lollipop shown running on a second-gen Moto G. Photo: Damian Junior

Google's Android 5.1 Lollipop mobile operating system update has officially been announced earlier this week, and the tech company's flagship Nexus devices are already the first to roll out the patch, but with Motorola being a manufacturing partner on some Nexus devices, we can't help but wonder when the Moto line will get the latest upgrade.

According to sources said to be working at Motorola, the company's first generation Moto G is already running the 5.1 update in internal testing, so we can certainly expect that to hit the public soon. The source says that 5.1 runs much more smoothly than 5.0 on the same Moto G handset.

"Today we are rolling out Android 5.1 - an update to Lollipop that improves stability and performance and offers a few new features like support for multiple SIM cards, Device Protection and high definition (HD) voice on compatible phones," Android's VP, Dave Burke, said in a blog post on Monday that announced the updated OS software to arrive on Nexus devices for T-Mobile's network first.

The new version of Lollipop will also bring Device Protection, a feature that locks your phone to your Google+ account if it's lost or stolen. Even if thieves reset the phone to factory settings, the lock will remain until the phone is accessed and reset through the Google+ account. This feature is available on "most" Android phones and tablets that ship with 5.1 Lollipop, including the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9.

Other features brought out with 5.1 include multiple SIM card support, high definition voice calling on compatible devices, improved controls over wi-fi and Bluetooth network joining through Quick Settings, and general performance enhancements.

As for other Motorola devices, they have also been spotted with various forms of 5.1 on board, but in an "unofficial" capacity. The Moto G 2014 edition was seen in the wild with 5.1 installed, according to a report at STJS Gadgets Portal way back in early February, but there's been no word regarding which carriers would be bringing the update out first. 

So far, there's been no word of Android 5.1 Lollipop on the first and second generation Moto X, the first generation Moto G, or the Moto E, but other 5.1 announcements are expected this month. Verizon Wireless, for one, is expected to announce the inclusion of 5.1 on its Nexus devices to join T-Mobile, but AT&T, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular have not made any official announcements yet.

Motorola has already shown to be an early adopter for several devices from the Moto line, in addition to the DROID Turbo, DROID Ultra, DROID Maxx, and DROID Mini.

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