Android 5.0 Lollipop Update Coming to Popular Sony, HTC Smartphones

Notably, the Taiwanese handset maker had back in June confirmed it would be issuing an Android 5.0 Lollipop (then Android L) update for the HTC One and One (M8). The company had said, "As part of our HTC Advantage commitment globally, we pledge to update all of our HTC One (M8) and HTC One (M7) smartphones within 90 days of receiving final software from Google."

Sony in a blog post on Thursday announced the "entire premium" Xperia Z series will receive an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop, including the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1S, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

The company said the Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition devices will be the first to receive the update, while it will start rolling out the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to the other Xperia Z devices in early 2015, beginning with the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 flagships. Sony said, "We've been working hard to bring this major update to as many of our Z Series devices as we can, as quickly as we can."

Google, soon after announcing Android 5.0 Lollipop, revealed that several previous-generation Nexus devices will be receiving the update "in the coming weeks," specifically the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (possibly for both the 2012 and 2013 versions), the Nexus 10, and Google Play Edition devices

The company, however, did not specify an exact Android 5.0 Lollipop release date for the older Nexus line-up.

Motorola, now the official OEM partner for the Nexus 6, had also revealed it would be rolling out Android 5.0 Lollipop for several of its smartphones. The list included the Moto X, Moto X (Gen 2), Moto G, Moto G (Gen 2), Moto G 4G LTE, Moto E, Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and Droid Mini.

Some of the notable features of the Android 5.0 Lollipop version include a cleaner, flatter design with a more fluid interface and animations. There is a new 'Quick settings' menu that has been revamped, and includes new controls like flashlight, hotspot, cast screen controls and more. The lock screen now displays richer notifications, and users can view and respond to messages directly from the lock screen.

Android 5.0 Lollipop also comes with an opt-in kill switch dubbed 'Factory Reset Protection', which will allow users to wipe out the device's data on will. There is the new Messenger app; a guest user mode with custom options for access; and screen pinning that lets users fix in place the screen that's displayed without allowing guests to go further. Google has also added a new battery saver feature to Android 5.0 Lollipop, claiming to extend device battery life by up to 90 minutes.