The Nexus Android 5.1 Lollipop update is only a few weeks old, but it looks like Google will replace it with something new in the near future. An Android 5.1.1 update surfaced earlier this week, and today we want to take a look at what Nexus smartphone and tablet users should know about the so-called Android 5.1.1 update and release.
Earlier in March, Google announced a brand new Android 5.0 Lollipop update that will replace Android 5.0.2 and Android 5.0.1 Lollipop. This update is an important update for Android 5.1 Lollipop, Nexus users as it brings a list of bug fixes along with some useful feature tweaks. Google’s Nexus Android 5.1 Lollipop version has landed for a few devices, albeit slow and confusing.
From now on, Google’s Android 5.1 update is available for Nexus 10, Nexus 5, Nexus 6 and Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi. While some of these updates have made significant progress, others like the Nexus 5 Android 5.1 update are still hard to find. While we’ve seen Android 5.1 updates and details for the cellular versions of the Nexus 4, Nexus 9, Nexus 7 2013, and Nexus 7, Google still hasn’t confirmed Android 5.1 updates for other Nexus devices.
Earlier this week, the company’s confusing Android 5.1 Lollipop release got a little more confusing thanks to the arrival of a brand new Android 5.1.1 update. Android 5.1.1 is as mysterious as Android updates. That’s why we want to lay the groundwork for Google’s next Android 5.0 Lollipop update.
Today we want to take a look at everything we know and think we know about Android 5.1.1. This will keep you up to date with the latest developments and prepare you for a future Nexus Android 5.1.1 release.
All Except Android 5.1.1 Update Confirmed
Google hasn’t made a big announcement on its website yet, and it’s highly likely that it won’t. The company usually only announces the arrival of major Android versions like Android 5.0 and Android 5.1. Minor bugfix releases Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2 weren’t given the same kind of red carpet treatment.
Android 5.1.1 was leaked earlier this week on Google’s SDK Manager. And although his arrival took place on April Fool’s Day, it doesn’t seem like a practical joke. It looks very real.
If you have Android SDK installed, you will notice “Android SDK Platform 5.1.1”. What this means is that Google has probably finished the code in this version. No announcements yet, but rest assured, this update is coming and it’s probably coming to Nexus devices very soon.
Android 5.1.1 Release Coming Soon
We don’t know the exact Android 5.1.1 release date for Nexus devices and we may not get an official release date. Google’s entry into AOSP often serves as a release date announcement. AOSP has not been updated to reflect the upcoming Android 5.1.1 update, but there are reasons to believe the release date will come sooner rather than later.
It looks like Google has finished coding for this update, which probably means it’s done its behind-the-scenes work. at least a few reliable sources believe 1 for Nexus devices is just around the corner, perhaps in April, and the SDK update is a clear sign of something imminent.
Possibly a Small Bug Fix Update
You don’t need to be in Google’s labs to understand what this update is all about. Android 5.1.1 Lollipop will almost certainly be a minor bug fix update for those currently using Android 5.1. It’s called a dead giveaway. The .1 at the end of the name means that this is most likely just an incremental release aimed at fixing something on Nexus devices. There’s a chance it will be much bigger for some Nexus users though.
There are still a number of Nexus devices in Android 5.0.2 (Nexus 4, Nexus 9, Nexus 7) and Android 5.1.1 could be the update that finally brings Android 5.1 features to these devices.
There Might Be A Big Fix On Board
We still don’t have a changelog for Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, but there is speculation that it will provide at least one major bug fix to Nexus users.
There are well known memory leak issue Android 5.1 update. Google has already confirmed a fix for the memory leak issues, but has not been able to confirm the fix for a specific update so far. Enter Android 5.1.1.
Some believe that Android 5.1.1 could be the update that provides a fix for these memory leaks. If true, it should help reduce the random reboots and app crashes that many Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 users experience on their devices.
Will My Nexus Device Get Android 5.1.1?
We haven’t seen anything confirmed, but we have some guesses. If this is a fix for memory leak issues, then Android 5.1.1 Lollipop will likely be available to all Nexus users, not just those who haven’t gotten Android 5.1.
It’s clear that these memory leak issues are serious, as Google’s Nexus Help forums are filled with complaints about reboots and crashes. Some Nexus 5, Nexus 6 and Nexus 7 users are in dire need of this fix.
Of course, if Google rolls out this update to all Nexus users, it will almost certainly be subject to Google’s typical rollout guidelines. Don’t expect Android 5.1.1 to hit every Nexus device overnight.
