Here’s what changed in Android 5.1 Lollipop

Google has finally announced the long awaited Android 5.1 update after its not-so-secret debut on Android One devices in the Philippines. This new build of Lollipop is rolling out to Nexus devices right now, but what’s in it? The official changelog was severely lacking in detail, but now that it’s hitting devices we can see all the tweaks to this version of Android. Let’s check it out.
Improved Interruptions

Google implemented a new system of notification modes in Android 5.0 known collectively as Interruptions. You can choose, all, priority, and none as notification modes. This is independent of the volume, but it can be a little confusing. Android 5.1 cleans up the feature a bit and adds some much needed options.

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Android 5.1 arrives with HD calling and safeguards for stolen phones

After weeks of teasing, it's here: Google has officially unveiled Android 5.1 Lollipop. The new release focuses on support for features that usually depend on extra software to work, such as multiple SIM cards (handy for prepaid service in countries like China and India) and higher-quality HD voice calls on networks like T-Mobile or Verizon. You can control your WiFi networks and Bluetooth devices from the quick settings area, too.

However, the biggest deal may be something you'll hopefully never have to use: Device Protection. Android 5.1 will let you require a Google account sign-in if your device is stolen, even if it's reset to factory settings. In other words, a thief can't simply wipe the storage on your phone and pawn it off. The feature will only be available on hardware shipping with Android 5.1 as well as the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, but it could reduce the incentives to swipe your stuff in the long run.

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Android 5.1 Lollipop Update Breakdown

With an Android 5.1 Lollipop update supposedly imminent for Nexus users, we want to take a look at everything there is to know, right now, about the Android 5.1 Lollipop update and the Android 5.1 Lollipop release.

Google has stayed extremely busy since its initial Android 5.0 Lollipop release back in November. In the weeks since the company’s first roll out, we’ve seen the company dish out two new Android 5.0 Lollipop updates in Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. Both brought bug fixes to Nexus users and owners of other big name devices including Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones.

While the two updates squashed some Android 5.0 Lollipop issues, many Nexus users are still complaining about Android 5.0 Lollipop problems. One visit to Google’s Nexus Help Forum and you’ll get a feel for some of the issues that remain on board. Fortunately, it looks like Google will try and fix some of these problems as well.

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Google’s MDM program for putting Android to work

In what might be good news for government IT managers, Google’ recently announced Android for Work program provides mobile device management (MDM) options for organizations supporting growing numbers of Android devices. Android for Work is an MDM platform that supports Android applications and a partner program for Google's hardware and software vendor partners.

In introducing the program, Google said it wanted to tap into the potential for the use of smartphones and tablets that so far as been “largely underutilized in the workplace.”

IT departments will get the benefit of having a consistent management approach for Android devices via the program's standardized management APIs, Google said in unveiling the platform. Developers will be able to, "create a single version of any Google Play app that can be securely deployed to any Android device without alterations or wrapping," Google promised, in its announcement.

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Google confirms Android Pay: a mobile payments layer 'anybody can build on'

Google has announced that it's working on a new mobile payments framework named Android Pay. Speaking at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Google exec Sundar Pichai confirmed that this would not be a new product for users, but an "API layer" that allows other companies to support secure payments on Android in both physical stores and via apps.

"We are doing it in a way in which anybody else can build a payments service on top of Android," said Pichai. "So, in places like China and Africa we hope that people will use Android Pay to build innovative services."

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Lenovo brings 64-bit Android to its $129 tablet

Tablets running 64-bit Android haven't been out for long but prices are already set to fall fast.

Lenovo's 8-inch Tab 2 A8 will ship in June starting at $129, with a 64-bit version of Android 5.0 and a 64-bit quad-core processor from MediaTek. It was one of three tablets Lenovo announced ahead of the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.

Sixty-four-bit tablets have a few advantages. They can support more memory and therefore make light work of multimedia-intensive apps such as games, as well as apps that use encryption for security. More 64-bit Android apps are in development, so a 64-bit tablet also provides some future-proofing.

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Top Android news of the week: Android for Work, Android Pay, owning the market

Android for Work launched

Google is making a push into the enterprise with the launch of Android for Work. The initiative is aimed at the BYOD crowd, enabling work profiles for smartphones and tablets. This allows IT departments to deploy approved apps to workers in a controlled and secure manner.

Android for Work allows employees to use personal apps alongside the work apps, while keeping personal data safe from employer access.

Android Pay coming to compete with Apple

Apple Pay is growing at a fast pace, and Google is taking aim at it with Android Pay. The upcoming system will use APIs to allow companies to add the new mobile payment system to their apps.

Android Pay will work like other mobile payment systems, allowing Android phone owners to store credit card information and pay with a single click at checkout time.

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