Verizon has released the Android 5.1 Lollipop update for the Moto X (2014), which is the second generation of the smartphone.
The carrier has posted the Android 5.1 Lollipop release notes for the Moto X (2014), which means that the over-the-air update to install Google's latest mobile operating system to the device can be expected to arrive shortly.
In the release notes, Verizon wrote [pdf] that the update to Android 5.1 Lollipop will bring the operating system beyond smartphones and tablets, as access will be granted to apps and services on Internet-connected gadgets such as cars, TVs and wearable devices.
Verizon described improvements to the user interface, with icons for the volume settings panel update to match the icons in the Moto X (2014)'s status bar. There are also some additional pull-down controls to allow users to quickly choose between using different Bluetooth and Wi-Fi accessories, and the minimum swipe distance has been increased to decrease chances for accidental interactions upon enabling the Ambient Display feature.
Android 5.1 Lollipop will also introduce new interruption controls to the Moto X (2014), which will allow users to block interruptions until the next alarm that was set by the user and to enter scheduled downtimes at an earlier time. In addition, users can now change the notification volume even while media is playing through the new bell icon, which will show the volume controls for notifications.
Lastly, Verizon wrote in the release notes that updating to Android 5.1 Lollipop will add factory reset protection to the device. The feature, which will keep the Moto X (2014) locked when they are stolen or lost until owners sign in with their Google account, will remain activated even if another person would do a factory reset on the device.
Android news website Android Central wrote that the turnaround for the Android 5.1 Lollipop update for the Moto X (2014) is a fast one, as the soak test for the said update only started by the end of the previous week.
However, it was noted that the Android 5.1 Lollipop update for the Pure Edition Moto X started to roll out on the evening of when the soak tests were launched, which could mean that there were no significant issues in the newest version of Android for Motorola's devices.
As with all over-the-air updates released by carriers, subscribers will not be receiving the update simultaneously, with customers from certain regions receiving the update first before those in other areas.
