Android 5.0 Lollipop Update: Samsung To Begin Sending Out Version 5.0.1 To Devices In Early 2015

Some devices from Samsung Electronics are already updating to Android 5.0 Lollipop, including the Samsung Galaxy S5 in Poland and the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition. But the majority of Galaxy owners may have to wait a few more weeks or months to receive the new software by Google Inc. Samsung is expected to begin updating devices, the Galaxy Note 4 in particular, during the first quarter of 2015.

Google recently sent out an Android 5.0.1 patch update, which addresses such glitches as the “factory reset bug” and the “video playback bug.” Leaked software for devices like the Galaxy Note 4 indicates that Samsung may update its devices directly to Android 5.0.1 in order to avoid the problems that many early adopters faced with the software.

The original Android 5.0 software also had such issues as the “flashlight bug,” in which a device’s flashlight shuts off when used for an extended period of time, and cannot be turned back on unless the device is restarted. Other issues include trouble with trusted face feature not properly capturing a users’ face to be used an unlocking mechanism and problems with Wi-Fi connections, ranging from extremely slow connections to Wi-Fi dropping constantly or simply failing to connect at all.

But Samsung owners should not have to deal with any of these problems if their devices update directly to Android 5.0. Tech publication SamMobile obtained a test version of Android 5.0.1 for devices including the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge and Galaxy S5 LTE-A. Previous sneak peeks have shown how Lollipop looks on the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4 and various Galaxy Note models.

The software shows that Samsung has added a few new features to its version of Android 5.0.1, such as an option to set up “ambient display,” which allows notifications to show up on the lock screen, a new toggle that allows users to see how much storage they have, a new “share with contacts” messaging system, and the option to activate and deactivate application notifications.