Google announces the LG Nexus 5X and the Huawei Nexus 6P!

As has been widely expected, Google revealed two new smartphones in its Nexus line today at a press event in San Francisco. The two new phones—the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P—are new flagship phones that feature the pure Google experience without any outside bloatware, third-party skins, or apps. Nexus phones are historically rated very high, and it doesn’t seem like that will be changing.

The new Nexus phones sport better cameras with low light performance being a key focus point. They also feature fingerprint sensors on the rear of the device that look similar in design to Touch ID. Both phones will run Google’s latest Android Marshmallow update.

The Nexus 5X is manufactured by LG and is a plastic body 5.2″ phone sporting a 1080p display. The larger Nexus 6P is made by Huawei. It features an aluminum body (frost white, aluminum, and graphite), and a 5.7″ screen with a 1440p display. Both phones are capable of shooting 4K video.

Pre-orders for the new Nexus phones start today. The Nexus 5X starts at $379 unlocked, and the larger Nexus 6P starts at $499.

The Nexus 6P

The Nexus 5X

Both phones feature the new USB Type-C reversible USB connection for charging. This is the same USB connection found on the new 12″ MacBook, and Google’s own Chromebook Pixel laptops.

The headlining feature with both of these devices seem to be cameras. Google is really drumming up the low light performance of the cameras and even compared the Nexus 6P camera to the camera found in the iPhone 6s Plus.

Google says that the large pixel size results in better low light photography. The new iPhone, with its larger amount of pixels when compared to the previous generation, features smaller pixels in order to pack them into a similar footprint as before. It’s hard to argue with the math, but only a true real-world side-by-side test will reveal the truth of the matter.

At any rate, these both seem like solid phones. Obviously the 6P is the more premium of the two, with its larger screen and aluminum body, but the 5.2″ Nexus 5X, with its $379 starting price, seems pretty appealing for the masses.

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Google to announce Android M later this month!

The latest iteration of Google’s mobile operating system, currently codenamed Android M, will be announced this month. It will be be unveiled at the company’s annual I/O developer conference, which kicks off May 28.

The info is based on the description of an I/O session in the conference agenda, mentioning the word “Android M”. That session has since been removed from from Google’s I/O website.

Although the details are scarce, it was revealed that the mobile OS will be enterprise-focused, and will provide a service – dubbed Voice Access – that Google claims “gives anyone access to their Android device through voice alone.”

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Android 5.0 Update: Which Smartphones will get Lollipop and When?

The launch of a major software update is an exciting event for any smartphone geek. Updates patch bugs and bring goodies of all sorts, including visual and functional improvements. But an update’s release can be annoying in that it always takes time for the software to arrive. And sometimes, the wait is a lengthy one – it has been six months since Google previewed Android L, which subsequently became Android 5.0 Lollipop, and the update has yet to land on most popular smartphones out there.

Still, it should be easier to cope with the wait when you know how long you’ll be waiting for. That’s why we combed the web in search of official and trustworthy information on the matter. Here’s when the popular Android smartphones are going to get their Lollipop updates. Keep in mind that we’ll be updating the post if/when new information becomes available.

Samsung 

Samsung Galaxy S5 – Android 5.0 Lollipop for the smartphone is already available in a number of markets worldwide, including South Korea, Russia, Malaysia, as well as parts of central and Western Europe. Galaxy S5 owners in the U.S., however, still have Android 4.4.x KitKat running on their handsets. The AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile variants of the smartphone are probably going to get the new software in the coming weeks, although that’s just an assumption.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 – While official information on the Android 5.0 update for the Galaxy Note 4 is scarce, rumor has it that the new software should start rolling out before January is out. U.S. carriers are also expected to launch Lollipop on the Galaxy Note 4 within this time frame. Interestingly, Samsung is said to be skipping the 5.0 version of the OS and will update the Galaxy Note 4 straight to Android 5.0.1, which brings along a number of bug fixes.

Samsung Galaxy S4 – Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S4 will get its Lollipop treat, and we’ve already had the chance to see what the new software should look like. However, we’re not exactly sure when the update is going to land on the non-GPe versions of the handset.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 – Unofficial Lollipop ROMs for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 have been floating around, but an official update is still nowhere to be found at this point. At least we know that an update to Android 5.0 is definitely in the works and will come sooner or later, most likely after the company’s newer phones have been updated.

Furthermore, Samsung is planning on pushing out Android 5.0 Lollipop updates to the Galaxy Note Edge, Galaxy Alpha, Galaxy S5 Active, Galaxy S5 Mini, and the Galaxy Note 2. We’ll update this post once we learn more details as to when the updated software might launch.

LG 

LG G3 – LG was quick to bring the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to its flagship smartphone; the software has been out since November. Its availability, however, is still limited. So far, we have reports of the update launching in South Korea and select parts of Europe, including Poland and the Nordic countries. Vodafone subscribers in the U.K. have been reached by the update as well, reportedly.

LG G2 – The good news is that LG’s former flagship, the LG G2, will surely be updated to Android 5.0. Unfortunately, we don’t have any specifics as to when the software might launch. What we know is that the Lollipop update will reach the G2 soon after it rolls out to the G3 globally. The new software is expected to update the G2’s UI by bringing the skin currently present on the G3, along with some or all of its perks.

Another smartphone we’re expecting to get Android 5.0 is the LG G Pro 2, but its maker has not announced any update plans yet. Likewise, there’s no word on whether any recent mid-range Android smartphone by LG will get the Lollipop treat.

HTC

HTC One (M8) – Android 5.0 Lollipop was expected to arrive on the One (M8) by January 3, but that didn’t quite happen, obviously. Word on the street has it that the software is actually bound to roll out within 1 to 2 weeks, although we’re assuming that U.S. carriers may take longer to push the update to their subscribers.

Lollipop will not bring a new version of HTC Sense, as thought at first. Or at least that’s what the latest leaks indicate. Of course, this doesn’t rule out the possibility of seeing a Sense 7.0 interface update launched in the future.

HTC One (M7) –  HTC’s former flagship is also in line for an update, but your guess as to when the software might start rolling out is as good as ours. It seems safe to assume that the HTC One will be updated soon after the One (M8) gets the Lollipop update.

In addition, the Android 5.0 Lollipop update is likely to be released for smartphones covered by the HTC Advantage program. These include theHTC One (E8), One Mini 2 (also known as the HTC Remix on Verizon), One Max, and the One Mini. Older devices will take longer to update, we assume.

Motorola

Motorola Moto G (2014) – The Moto G (2014) was one of the first non-Nexus devices to receive an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. That happened back in mid-November, when the software launched for both the US and global versions of the device. However, there’s still a number of markets where the update has not been given the green light yet. Motorola isn’t giving any specific times and dates regarding the software’s further release.

Motorola Moto G (2013) – Yup, last year’s Moto G is getting updated to Lollipop as well. In fact, there have been reports of Android 5.0 already reaching some Moto G owners, although there appear to be many who are still waiting for their update to arrive.

Motorola Moto X (2014) – Android 5.0 launched for the handset back in November, when the Pure Edition of the device was served some Lollipop goodness. The Verizon model followed suit several days later.

In addition to these smartphones, Motorola will update the following handsets to Android 5.0 Lollipop: Motorola Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, Droid Mini, Moto E, and the 2013-edition Motorola Moto X.

Sony

Sony Xperia Z3 – First, the good news: the Xperia Z3 will most likely be the first non-GPe Sony smartphone to get the Android 5.0 update. As for the not-so-good news, the new software is going to take about a month more to arrive; Sony is aiming for an early February roll-out.

Sony Xperia Z2 – The Xperia Z2 should get its Lollipop dose soon after the software hits the Xperia Z3. This means we’re probably going to see the update launching in February.

Sony Xperia Z1 – There’s definitely an Xperia Z1 Android 5.0 update in the works, but, to no surprise, the Z2 and Z3 are being prioritized over the former flagship. If you’re an Xperia Z1 owner, you might want to brace yourself with patience.

As for the rest of the Xperia lineup, Sony has confirmed that all of its premium Z-series smartphones and tablets will be updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop. These include the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z1S, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z3 Compact, and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

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Android 5.0 Lollipop aka “Android L” Is Official, Here’s What’s New!

Good things happen when everybody’s invited. A few years ago, we had the thought that phones (and stuff that hadn’t even been invented yet like tablets and smart watches) would be way more interesting if everyone could build new things together. So we created Android as an open platform, and put it out there for everyone to imagine, invent, make, or buy whatever they wanted.

Since then, all kinds of people—from companies big and small to folks on Kickstarter, kids in schools, and crazy smart developers—have been innovating faster, together, more than we ever could alone. And the best part is that every time someone new joins in, things get more interesting, unexpected, and wonderful for all of us.

Getting everyone in on the party is the same spirit behind Android One—an effort recently launched in India (coming to other countries soon) to make great smartphones available to the billions of people around the world who aren’t yet online. It’s also why we’re excited about Lollipop, our newest software release, which is designed to meet the diverse needs of the billion-plus people who already use Android today.

Joining the party: Android 5.0 Lollipop
As previewed at Google I/O, Lollipop is our largest, most ambitious release on Android with over 5,000 new APIs for developers. Lollipop is designed to be flexible, to work on all your devices and to be customized for you the way you see fit. And just like Android has always been, it’s designed to be shared.

Lollipop is made for a world where moving throughout the day means interacting with a bunch of different screens—from phones and tablets to TVs. With more devices connecting together, your expectation is that things just work. With Lollipop, it’s easier than ever to pick up where you left off, so the songs, photos, apps, and even recent searches from one of your Android devices can be immediately enjoyed across all the other ones.

As you switch from one screen to another, the experience should feel the same. So Lollipop has a consistent design across devices—an approach we call Material Design. Now content responds to your touch, or even your voice, in more intuitive ways, and transitions between tasks are more fluid.

Lollipop also gives you more control over your device. You can now adjust your settings so that only certain people and notifications can get through, for example, when you’re out to dinner or in the middle of an important meeting. And when an important notification does come through, you can see it directly from the lockscreen.

And because we’re using our devices a lot more, there’s a new battery saver feature that extends the life of your device by up to 90 minutes—helpful if you’re far from a power outlet. We’ve enabled multiple user accounts and guest user mode for keeping your personal stuff private. And you can now secure your device with a PIN, password, pattern, or even by pairing your phone to a trusted device like your watch or car with Smart Lock. But this is just a small taste of Lollipop. Learn more on android.com.

Read More:

Google Reveals The Nexus 9: Android’s iPad Air!

Google reveals the Nexus 6, pre-orders begin on October 29th!

Meet the Nexus family, now running Lollipop
Advances in computing are driven at the intersection of hardware and software. That’s why we’ve always introduced Nexus devices alongside our platform releases. Rather than creating software in the abstract, we work with hardware partners to build Nexus devices to help push the boundaries of what’s possible. Nexus devices also serve as a reference for the ecosystem as they develop on our newest release. And for Lollipop, we have a few new Nexus treats to share with you.

First, with Motorola, we developed the Nexus 6. This new phone has a contoured aluminum frame, a 6-inch Quad HD display and a 13 megapixel camera. The large screen is complemented by dual front-facing stereo speakers that deliver high-fidelity sound, making it as great for movies and gaming as it is for doing work. It also comes with a Turbo Charger, so you can get up to six hours of use with only 15 minutes of charge.

Next, a new tablet built in partnership with HTC. Nexus 9, with brushed metal sides and 8.9-inch screen, is small enough to easily carry around in one hand, yet big enough to work on. And since more and more people want to have the same simple experience they have on their tablets when they have to do real work, we designed a keyboard folio that magnetically attaches to the Nexus 9, folds into two different angles and rests securely on your lap like a laptop.

Finally, we’re releasing the first device running Android TV: Nexus Player, a collaboration with Asus, is a streaming media player for movies, music and videos. It’s also a first-of-its-kind Android gaming device. With Nexus Player you can play Android games on your HDTV with a gamepad, then keep playing on your phone while you’re on the road. Nexus Player is Google Cast Ready so you can cast your favorite entertainment from almost any Chromebook or Android or iOS phone or tablet to your TV.

Nexus 9 and Nexus Player will be available for pre-order on October 17 and in stores starting November 3. Nexus 6 will be available for pre-order in late October and in stores in November—with options for an unlocked version though Play store, or a monthly contract or installment plan through carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon. Specific carrier rollout will be subject to certification completion and will vary. Check outgoogle.com/nexus for more details on availability.

Android 5.0 Lollipop, which comes on Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player, will also be available on Nexus 4, 5, 7, 10 and Google Play edition devices in the coming weeks.

Read More:

Google Reveals The Nexus 9: Android’s iPad Air!

Google reveals the Nexus 6, pre-orders begin on October 29th!

The party’s just getting started
With this latest release of Android Lollipop, we’re excited to continue working with our developer community, hardware partners, and all of you. More ideas and more creators is what gets us all to better ideas faster. And since everyone’s invited to the party, we hope you’ll join in the fun by creating and sharing an Android characterthat captures a little bit of who you are—one of a kind. Enjoy!

Google Reveals The Nexus 9: Android’s iPad Air!

It’s been nearly two years since we’ve seen a new Nexus tablet, but the wait is over. Alongside anew Nexus 6 phone, the Nexus Player, and a new version of Android, the Nexus 9 is finally official. It’s like the iPad Air, but Android.

Just as the rumors indicated, the new Nexus 9 is a 9-inch tablet made by HTC, sporting an Nvidia Tegra K1 for a brain along with a Kepler DX11 GPU, front-facing speakers, a 2048 x 1440 281 PPI LCD screen, and a 6700 mAh battery. It’s got a nice aluminum trim, and on the back it has that familiar soft-touch carbonate back and “Nexus” branding, like an upscaled Nexus 5. And it’s available in white and black and tan. And also, if you feel like Surfacing it up, the Nexus 9 has a an optional keyboard case that will retail for (a hefty) $220.

It’s a Nexus device launching around the same time as a major revision of Android, so naturally it’ll come loaded up with Android Lollipop. It’s available for pre-order starting October 17th, with a starting price of $400.