The latest Android 5.1 Lollipop update from Google is now official, bringing some neat new features to the popular mobile operating system.
The last update to Android Lollipop has been in the news for weeks, and its official arrival doesn't come as a big surprise anymore. Nevertheless, a formal announcement was expected and it has now come.
Google has officially announced the new Android 5.1 update to Lollipop on Monday, March 9, i.e. the same day that Apple held its Spring Forward event to unveil the new MacBook and offer more details regarding the Apple Watch.
Android 5.1 aims to improve stability and performance, as well as add a few new features such as multiple SIM cards support, Device Protection, and high definition (HD) voice on compatible devices.
With the new multi-SIM support, Vanilla Android now allows users to enjoy multiple SIM cards , provided their device has more than one SIM card slot. This means that users will now be able to use separate SIMs for business and personal affairs, or share their device with someone else.
"Whether you want to share your phone with a family member or better manage your mobile costs, Android Lollipop 5.1 now lets you use more than one SIM card on a device with multiple SIM slots," Google explained in a new post on the official Android blog.
Device Protection, meanwhile, will ensure that if you lose your phone or someone steals it, the device will remain locked until you sign in with your Google account. This extra protection will stay in place and do its job even if someone tries to restore the device and wipe its previous settings.
"With Device Protection, your lost or stolen device will remain locked until you sign in with your Google account - even if someone resets your device to factory settings. This feature will be available on most Android phones and tablets shipped with Android 5.1 in addition to Nexus 6 and Nexus 9," Google further explained.
Lastly, the latest update also brings new HD voice calling features, at least for users on T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless in the U.S. As previously mentioned, HD voice calling will work only on compatible devices.
Google did not detail just what performance tweaks and bug fixes Android 5.1 brings to the table, but the latest update is expected to make everything run smoother. Nexus devices will be the first in line to get the new update, while other devices will get it sometime later.
