Arguably the best Google Nexus and Android-based tablet to date, the HTC-made Nexus 9 received an over-the-air (OTA) update to Android 5.0.2 featuring minor bug fixes at 23.3 MB.
The OTA is a small bump from Android 5.0.1 with build number LRX22L. Curiously, the older Nexus models have already received an update for Android 5.1.1.
According to Google, the upgrade will soon be rolled out but it has been delayed due to a few last-minute bugs.
Some experts are blaming the NVIDIA Tegra K1 System-on-Chip (SoC) processor featured under Nexus 9, which makes it different from other Google siblings. It is also possible that this OTA update is a prerequisite requirement for Android 5.1.1.
Some Nexus 9 owners have already opted to root their device, but for those waiting for the legitimate OTA update, it might be worth the wait as long as it is truly a bug-free OS update that could maximize this powerful tablet. With this minor OTA, patience could just mean the long-awaited update is closer than ever.
Nexus 9 is the first 64-bit tablet to take advantage of the Android 5.0 Lollipop software. Equipped with an 8.9-inch display with a resolution of 1536 x 2048, it offers an almost 288ppi density. With a 4:3 aspect ratio, the display is among the best for current Android tablets.
The combination of NVIDIA Tegra K1 SoC running at 2.3 GHz and NVIDIA Kepler DX1 GPU with 2 GB RAM on board is highly capable and feels very responsive. With NVIDIA TegraZone, an app featuring a ton of games optimized for NVIDIA processors, Nexus 9 owners can test for themselves graphically fantastic games.
The back camera is an 8MP shooter and the front is 1.6MP. The battery is a massive 6,700 mAh that could make you enjoy your tablet relatively longer than the other tablets around. Available colors are Indigo Black, Lunar White or Sand. One can purchase either the Wi-Fi only model or the Wi-Fi+4G LTE type.
Nexus 9 has great connectivity with NFC on board plus the 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP and aptX audio support. With HTC's BoomSound front-facing stereo speakers, the Nexus 9 pumps out the audio with an unusual level of amplitude.
The common negative trait pinpointed by most tablet reviews is the unexpandable storage. Nexus 9 only offers either 16 GB or 32 GB native storage with no microSD slot.
Many hope that the sooner the update comes, the more it will justify the current price of $399 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi only model.
Photo: Maria Elena | Flickr
