When it comes to the release of the newest version of Android, version 5.1, there are some Motorola phones that have been slow to get it. In fact, some versions of these phones are still running version 4.4. The good news is that the Android 5.1 Lollipop Update is on the way for the Moto G (1st and 2nd Generation), the Moto X (also 1st and 2nd Generation), not to mention the Moto E.
According to a recent report from Gotta Be Mobile, the Android Lollipop update just isn't rolling out as fast as Android 4.4 (also known as KitKat) did, and there are a lot of visual and behind the scenes changes that are making the wait a bit longer than expected. Part of the reason for the delay has to do with bugs that were fixed in releases of Android 5.0.1, 5.0.2, as well as many of them with the Android 5.1 Lollipop release. Fortunately, those owners of the Moto G (1st and 2nd Generation), the Moto X (also 1st and 2nd Generation), and the Moto E should be able to get their hands on it.
I'll start with some good news for those who are owners of the Moto G first generation, the one that was revealed in 2013. According to Tech Times, users of this model of smartphone will be glad to know that it has received its long-awaited update to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. This was a long delay, as an engineer at Motorola had promised that the update for Moto G 1st Generation was coming "soon".
As for those on the 2nd generation or 2014 version of the Moto G, you should also have access to Lollipop 5.1. It actually came out about a month ago, and it is available for download.
As for the first generation of the Moto X, also released in 2013, that Lollipop update to Android 5.1 has also been long-awaited. A recent update from David Schuster, the Senior Director of Software Development at Motorola, made the announcement on Google + saying that the Moto X first generation update was in the final stages, and should be rolling out "soon", according to Android Pit.
The second generation or 2014 version of the Moto X received its Android update a while ago. In fact, there has been an interesting development in the Android 5.1 release for the second generation of this smartphone. CNET reports that there is a new Moto Action gesture that turns on the phone's flashlight. Also known as "chop twice for flashlight", this flashlight features is activated when you wave the phone in the air as if you are chopping an onion. This will turn on the LED camera flash until you "chop" it again in order to turn it off.
As for the Moto E, a recent report from Android Advances showed that the Moto E, 2nd generation, 4G LTE is now receiving the Android 5.1 update.
According to PC Advisor, Android 5.1 is expected to be "a large update, returning the silent mode missing from Android 5.0, improving system stability, RAM battery management, and fixing sudden app closures, Wi-Fi problems and sound problems".
The 5.1 update will also include native support for more than on SIM-card, which works very well for phones with dual-SIM card slots. The user can also join Wi-Fi networks and control paired Bluetooth devices directly from the Quick Settings section of the notification bar.
For those that are users of any of these Motorola Moto phones, you should check your settings to see if any more Android updates are currently available, and take the time and memory to download them.
