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Google Announces Android 5.1

Posted by Soulskill on from the onward-and-upward dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Google has officially announced Android Lollipop 5.1. This is a small update to the mobile operating system, and focuses on stability and performance. The main new features include support for multiple SIM cards, high definition voice calls on supported devices, and the ability to join Wi-Fi networks and manage Bluetooth pairings through Quick Settings. The biggest new feature is "Device Protection." They say, "With Device Protection, 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. This feature will be available on most Android phones and tablets shipped with Android 5.1 in addition to Nexus 6 and Nexus 9."

5 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. I hope the Device Protection is optional. by BitterOak · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I hope the Device Protection feature is optional. I'd hate to think my device gets bricked because I delete my Google account or forget the password.

    --
    If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
    1. Re:I hope the Device Protection is optional. by BitterOak · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I hope the Device Protection feature is optional.

      Of course it is. You can't use it unless you put a Google account on the device.

      Right, but I have put a Google account on the device. I hope the device protection is still optional. Since I'm already using encryption, I'm not sure the device protection will add much security. Will a thief return my device when they discover they can't use it?

      --
      If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
    2. Re:I hope the Device Protection is optional. by John+Bokma · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "Thefts of Apple's smartphone have plummeted in San Francisco, New York and London following the debut of the company's Activation Lock feature in fall 2013". Source: http://www.cnet.com/news/smart...

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      Perl Programmer for hire
    3. Re:I hope the Device Protection is optional. by farble1670 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Will a thief return my device when they discover they can't use it?

      no, but if thieves understand that modern smartphones, including android 5.1 devices, are worthless if stolen, they aren't going to bother stealing them in the first place. sure, until a sufficient % of the devices out there support this it's not as useful but you have to start somewhere right?

      also, don't you feel a little better knowing that the thief didn't get compensated $300 for stealing your phone?

  2. Re:Yeah but..... by farble1670 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    From my experience with the Note3, yeah you can "disable" apps from showing, but not completely. They're still resident in memory most of the time

    the "disable" feature that's available on any firmware-based app completely stops the app from running. i use it on my nexus 6 to disable the exchange crap from running in the background. works fine.

    if samsung did something to mess with how that works (i'd be surprised if they did, but if you say so), then well, why the heck did you buy a samsung device? that's called just deserts. don't blame android for some terrible crap done by samsung. by the way, you paid 50% for samsung, right?

    if people don't support the delivery model they want, how do you expect anything to change? carrier bloated, manufacturer bloated malware infested devices. why? stop falling prey to samsung, et. al's marketing barrage. you're a nerd, you know nexus exists, what's your excuse?