Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Release Date & Download: Supported Devices, Updates & Features to Expect

The Android Lollipop 5.1.1 version has been released, with the Nexus Player being the first one to be equipped with the latest version of the operating system.

Several reports about an update of the Android Lollipop have been circulating during the last few weeks, Christian Today wrote. Accompanied by screen captures of rumored 5.1.1 builds for the Nexus 7 and 9 devices, the gadgets were shown running on new LMY47S and LMY47W builds. Both versions indicate the Android Lollipop 5.1.1 as their OS.

The new version of the OS first appeared on April Fools' Day in the company's updated Android SDK, Gotta Be Mobile noted. A few days after that, the Android 5.1.1 update popped up in the company's Developer Portal. Then earlier this week, Google quietly released a confirmation for the 5.1.1 OS update.

According to Christian Today, Google has already released the official factory images for the 5.1.1 Lollipop update for the Nexus Player. Users looking to download the new OS would have to get the factory image file and build the LMV74V from Google's developer site to flash their Nexus Players.

A separate report from Gotta Be Mobile wrote that OS update's changelog is still not available, but bigger changes for the new version should not be expected. As stated by the news outlet, "Nexus Player users and owners of Google's other Nexus devices shouldn't expect Android 5.1.1 to be more than a small bug fixer aimed at tackling the memory leak issue that's plagued Nexus owners for weeks on end."

Feature tweaks and hundreds of bug fixes should not be expected from the upgraded OS either. Such large upgrades should be anticipated in the Android 5.2 Lollipop instead, Gotta Be Mobile noted. When the Android 5.1 Lollipop was released in March, the OS didn't fix the long list of bugs present in the Android 5.0 Lollipop and even caused a memory leak to Nexus users.

If Android 5.1.1 wouldn't fix this issue, which includes random reboots and app crashes, there's a huge chance that the problems will be present in the Nexus devices running on the latest OS as well, the news outlet added.

Geek Snack, on the other hand, reported that the Android 5.1.1 could fix some camera and flashlight issues commonly encountered on the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 devices. The upgrade could also resolve a few loading problems and security issues, including Samsung Galaxy S5's fingerprint vulnerability.

Gotta Be Mobile also noted that the 5.1.1 Lollipop update will be subjected to Google's standard roll out protocol. Granted, the OS upgrade is small, but "it will likely be a long drawn out process that frustrates many users," given that the Android 5.1 is slower than normal when it was first released, the news outlet added.