The Google Nexus 9 is apparently not invited to the Android 5.1 party, as the tablet is only now getting Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.
This situation is frustrating to say the least for Nexus 9 owners, especially since other Nexus devices, including the original Nexus 7, have already received the latest Android 5.1.1 build.
One of the main reasons consumers go for Nexus devices, besides good specs, is the much-touted Nexus experience, which (theoretically) guarantees timely updates as soon as a new version of Android rolls out. Nexus devices should be the first in line to receive the latest software improvements from Google, but for some reason the Nexus 9 doesn't quite live up to expectations in this department.
While both versions of the Nexus 7 and the older Nexus 10 have received a software bump to Android 5.1.1, the Nexus 9 is only now receiving Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. It remains unclear just why Google is rolling out this version and ignoring the latest build for the Nexus 9, but it's understandable why owners of the device are baffled by this situation.
Both the Wi-Fi and the LTE versions of the Nexus 9 are now receiving Android 5.0.2 over the air (OTA), and Google has also released factory images of the build on its website.
Android 5.1 Lollipop, meanwhile, arrived back in March as the successor to version 5.0.2, and has already made its way to Nexus devices. Even Motorola announced that it is pushing Android 5.1 to its devices soon, yet the Nexus 9 is not getting the latest build. The latest 5.1.1 version recently rolled out as a small bug fixing-build for Google's tablets, but the Nexus 9 isn't getting that either, at least not now.
As a reminder, the Nexus 9 made its debut last year, rocking high-end specs and features all around. Made in collaboration with HTC, the Nexus 9 boasts an 8.9-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels and packs a 2.3GHz NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor under the hood, paired with 192-core Kepler graphics and 2GB of RAM. The slate further comes with 16GB or 32GB of internal storage capacity, an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 1.6-megapixel front shooter, and a 6,700 mAh battery. BoomSound audio technology is also in the mix, courtesy of HTC.
The Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update is rolling out OTA for the Nexus 9 now, but factory images are also available at this link. Currently there's no word on when Android 5.1.1 will be ready for the tablet, or why it's not available yet, but we'll keep you up to date as soon as we learn more.
