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Motorola readies Android 5.1 for Moto X 1st and 2nd Gen, Moto E 2nd Gen – changelog now available

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Motorola Moto X Boot animation DSC00738

Around the Phandroid offices, we like to refer to Android 5.1 as the real Lollipop update, patching up bugs and improving UI weirdness. It’s the update Android 5.0 should have been. For Motorola fans, it’s been a sort of roller coaster with the company quick to push out updates to some devices (Moto X 2014), while leaving others out in the cold (Moto X 2013).

It seems the manufacturer is finally ready to unleash a world of Lollipop lovin’ to both versions of the Moto X, with new Android 5.1 release notes posted onto their support site. Even the Moto E (2nd Gen) is tagging along, with 5.1 notes for that device showing up as well. The changelog lists all sorts of changes and improvements, with new security features, performance enhancements, and of course, a healthy helping of bug fixes that were introduced in 5.1. The full list can be found below.

Notifications & Interruptions

  • Block interruptions until your next alarm. This choice will show only when you have an alarm set within the next 12 hours. It will prevent you from missing an alarm when you choose ‘No interruptions’.
  • You can choose to enter a scheduled downtime early. For example, if you are going to bed early and change your notification settings, you can choose “Until your downtime ends”. This option will be visible when within 4 hours of the scheduled start of your downtime.
  • Adds icons to the volume settings panel that match those that will show in the status bar (None, Priority).
  • You can now alter notification volume controls while media is playing. With the volume controls showing, a tap on the bell icon will bring up notification volume controls.

Heads-up Notifications – In addition to dismissing a heads-up notification, you can now swipe it up to remove it from your screen. It will remain in your notifications tray and you can dismiss it later.

Quick Settings – You can quickly select different Wi-Fi access points or different paired Bluetooth devices with a new pull-down menu on each tile. Conditional settings tiles that only show if you use the feature – like “Invert Colors” or “Hotspot” – can now be hidden via a long-press on the tile.

Camera – Reduces noise in low-light shots and improves responsiveness of the viewfinder with the front-facing camera (selfie).

Device Protection – Lost or stolen devices will remain locked until you sign in with your Google account, even if reset to factory settings. Note that you must have a Google account on the device to automatically enable this feature and set a PIN, password or pattern screen lock.

Performance – Improvements in the Android Runtime (ART) lead to faster application launch times.

Lockscreen – If you have enabled Ambient Display, the minimum swipe distance has increased to reduce accidental interactions.
Bug Fixes

Issues fixed in this release include:

  • Clock in the status bar isn’t updating and alarms are not going off
  • Can’t delete SMS messages when the SIM card is full
  • No ringer audio while making an outgoing call
  • Calculator floating point calculations
  • Chrome crashes on launch
  • Frequent restarts while watching Netflix
  • Wi-Fi will not automatically reconnect to your home Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi not connecting after being idle all night
  • Wi-Fi connection issues with multiple routers in one location
  • Bluetooth discovery is not triggered when you refresh settings
  • CPU wakelocks that contribute to heavier battery drain
  • Connection and synchronization issues with MS Exchange servers
  • Incorrect default APN
  • Can’t unlock the SIM with a PIN/PUK code
  • Can’t play ‘pinned’ content
  • General stability improvements

At the time of writing we have release notes for the original Motorola Moto X, Motorola Moto X 2014 (Pure Edition and AT&T models), and the Motorola Moto E 2015. It doesn’t seem the rollout has started quite yet, but you can rest assured it’s just around the corner. Anyone excited?

[Motorola 1, 2, 3, 4]

Chris Chavez
I've been obsessed with consumer technology for about as long as I can remember, be it video games, photography, or mobile devices. If you can plug it in, I have to own it. Preparing for the day when Android finally becomes self-aware and I get to welcome our new robot overlords.

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25 Comments

  1. I’ve got an original X. I expected it sooner and got used to no update, i.e., it felt like a promise that wasn’t gonna be kept, and nothing I read about Lollipop made me feel I was missing all that much…. …but here it is, better than 5.0, and yeah, kinda/sorta looking forward… …and apparently it’ll be better for the wait.

    Any improvement in the cam (in low light or otherwise) would be especially welcome – although on the whole it’s been (IMO) a better shooter than most reviews suggested to the point I seldom if ever carry my “better” true optical zoom P&S.

    Nothing about better power management is mentioned. Improvement would def be welcome. Getting a whole day’s use – even while using only occasionally and various settings tweaked (screen brightness, BT off when not needed, etc.) is one of my few complaints after over a year of really liking the device overall…. …and recognize that getting 5.1 will extend the useful “functionality lifetime” of the phone if I keep it – even after I get a new phone – as a WiFi device for non-phoning uses.

    So excited, psyched, revved up? (!!!) Not so much, sorry. But pleased (and feeling Moto kept their word), yeah.

    I’ve got a little free learning curve training time available at the moment.

    1. “CPU wakelocks that contribute to heavier battery drain” is fixed, so yes, they mentioned better power management

  2. FINALLY…

  3. 1st gen Moto X owner here. This is the Lollipop i’ve been waiting for.

  4. What about Droid Ultra and Maxx?

  5. What about turbo?

  6. What about the Droid 2 R2D2 edition?

    1. Good news
      Hi chris I want a toughened glass screen protector for my moto X 2014 which air on the edges which you recommend?

    2. Lollipops cause droids to short-circuit.

  7. How about fixing the spoken PIN option, trusted face unlock, trusted places and on-body detection?

  8. I just want the Bluetooth audio not to skip when turning the phone on or some other random non taxing gesture…. This has been the first phone I’ve kept for longer than 7 months though :)

    1. I used to have the same problem with my 1st gen moto x until I realized why it happens. It’s simply because when the screen is turned on or off the device plays the screen unlock/lock sound (provided this feature is turned on in the settings). So the phone is just temporarily muting the currently playing audio in order to play the other sound that was triggered, which results in the skipping. This can be avoided by turning these sounds off in settings or by simply turning the ringer to vibrate or silent. It’s still a bit annoying though. It should just play the sound in the background without having to interrupt the audio. Otherwise, it’s the best phone I’ve ever owned :)

      1. By jove….. So far, that has worked! Here’s to another year with the OG Moto X! Thanks xDD90x

  9. And still no mention of the turbo…. The highest specd device they’ve made with not even the slightest leak or mention of an update to 5.1. Great phone, but Motorola is starting to lose me… What happened to the promise of timely updates?

    1. Lenovo?

    2. They’ve said they’re going to update it, just not when.

  10. Just switched back to my LG Optimus G (2013) about a week ago and forgot how awesome the phone was and still performs quite well in 2015. While I’m interested to see how Lollipop looks/performs on the original Moto X, I’m not sure if I can go back to permanently enjoying the “cartoonish,” oversaturated colors and yellowish tint of its’ AMOLED display again (a trait typical of all AMOLEDs and corrected mostly but still slightly visible in some S-AMOLEDs). I’ve been enjoying the natural colors and generally sharper display of the Optimus G’s LCD display (which is strange since both have a resolution of 720p but I suppose, besides the differing screen technologies, LG’s has a superior display).

  11. CRAP STILL NOTHING ABOUT THE 2013 MOTO G???????

  12. Yay, maybe it will make the battery usable.

  13. I held off on the 5.0 update for my N7 and waited for 5.1 which I installed this week. I’ve been pretty impressed with it, so I’m actually looking forward to this, assuming it hits the Droid Ultra/Mini/Maxx shortly after it hits the Moto X.

  14. Famous Android versions with more than one point-ten rev number –

    Eclair
    Jellybean
    Lollipop

  15. I feel sorry for any lollipop user not already on 5.1… my Nexus 6 has been a delight thus far. And 5.1 is the only reason I chose to buy an N6

  16. What the hell is up with the Droid Turbo smh.

  17. WOW, nothing for the Droid Turbo.Can’t wait to ditch this phone. Seems Verizon and Motorola abandoned the Droid turbo. pity

  18. Motorola has not done itself any favours with its procrastination and its inability to deliver any sensible timetable

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