UPDATED 01:32 EDT / MARCH 10 2015

NEWS

Android 5.1 released with dual SIM card support, HD voice and enhanced device protection

5709687530_d363770d3c_nGoogle Inc. rolled out the latest edition of its mobile operating system Monday with a number of new features.

Android 5.1, which unlike Android 4 releases hasn’t been given a unique name (it’s still Lollipop), has as its new features support for multiple SIM cards, Device Protection and high-definition (HD) voice on compatible phones.

The dual SIM card support is billed on the Android blog as giving users the ability to share their phone with a family member, or better manage mobile costs, although of note — it’s only a new feature in terms of being supported by a vanilla install of Android; most dual sim phones already run Android and support is added by manufacturers.

On the security side, Google has beefed up its device protection service to ensure that your lost or stolen device will remain locked until you sign in with your Google account – even if someone resets your device to factory settings.

High Definition voice calling isn’t the most exciting feature, but if you’re recording a call for an interview it might come in handy, though it is naturally limited to devices that support HD voice.

 .

Rollout

If you own a Google Nexus, downloads are currently available for Nexus 5, Nexus 7 2012 (Wifi) and the Nexus 10.

Currently unavailable, but pending release are the Nexus 4, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 2012 (mobile,) Nexus 7 2013 (Wifi + mobile,) the Next 9 (Wifi), the Next 9 (LTE) and the Nexus Player.

If you don’t own a Google Nexus phone you’ll have to wait until your manufacturer, or telco provides a compatible ROM, and given recent history you may well be in for a long wait, presuming that you’ll ever get it at all; far too many manufacturers haven’t updated phones to Android 5.0 yet, including the likes of Samsung.

It’s not the most exciting Android release from Google, but the additional features provide some extra functionality that should be welcomed by users.

photo credit: IMG_8377 via photopin (license)


A message from John Furrier, co-founder of SiliconANGLE:

Support our mission to keep content open and free by engaging with theCUBE community. Join theCUBE’s Alumni Trust Network, where technology leaders connect, share intelligence and create opportunities.

  • 15M+ viewers of theCUBE videos, powering conversations across AI, cloud, cybersecurity and more
  • 11.4k+ theCUBE alumni — Connect with more than 11,400 tech and business leaders shaping the future through a unique trusted-based network.
About SiliconANGLE Media
SiliconANGLE Media is a recognized leader in digital media innovation, uniting breakthrough technology, strategic insights and real-time audience engagement. As the parent company of SiliconANGLE, theCUBE Network, theCUBE Research, CUBE365, theCUBE AI and theCUBE SuperStudios — with flagship locations in Silicon Valley and the New York Stock Exchange — SiliconANGLE Media operates at the intersection of media, technology and AI.

Founded by tech visionaries John Furrier and Dave Vellante, SiliconANGLE Media has built a dynamic ecosystem of industry-leading digital media brands that reach 15+ million elite tech professionals. Our new proprietary theCUBE AI Video Cloud is breaking ground in audience interaction, leveraging theCUBEai.com neural network to help technology companies make data-driven decisions and stay at the forefront of industry conversations.