The first-generation Motorola Moto G smartphone is finding the Android 5.0 Lollipop software update in the form of build number 220.21.16.en.03. The new iteration updates the handsets with the latest firmware Android has to offer. Owners are starting to find the alert arriving as a system notification to phone displays. Remember that it rolls out in periods to everyone, meaning it can take several days if not weeks to find all of you. There is no magical code to understand the formula, nor is there any button sequence you can press to make it arrive faster for you.
Android 5.0 Lollipop firmware comes with smart notifications, a new battery saving mode, new material Design UI, recent application overhaul, Material design in the app drawer, notification card-style alerts, priory mode for important notifications only, heads-up notifications, a multitasking makeover, device sharing capabilities, new Quick Settings, security enhancements and oodles of extras. Some of our favorites include “Ok Google” voice working when the screen display is off, faster NFC setups for new devices, additional photography features, easier shifting between NFC payment apps, new ART Android RunTime, 64-bit architecture support and the print preview.
Evidently, Motorola and Google are still close friends after the recent split where Google sold their share of Motorola to Lenovo. The “Hello Moto” company were first in the pecking order for Lollipop software, after the Mountain View team satisfied their own Nexus devices. We now have 5.0 Lollipop sitting on the flagship Moto X, the second-gen Moto G and the first-gen Moto G starting today. The only smartphone left without it is the Moto E. It’s coming soon.
We recommend installing the new 220.21.16.en.03 firmware using a WiFi network instead of the mobile data. Mobile data comes off your usual data allowance for the month. Furthermore, heaps of people who own the same device as you are downloading over the network which results in a less stable connection because of the high data traffic.
Those preferring to air on the side of caution can back up the existing data just in case you require a factory reset from the phone freezing during the installation. Use Helium from the Google Play Store to assist you with backing up the SMS texts, syncing the phone contacts and backing up the market applications. You should understand that you don’t automatically lose any data by accepting official software updates coming from the phone carriers or device manufacturer. It’s purely a precaution.
The Moto G continues to be one of the best value for money smartphones out there available. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is only starting to see the first batch of Android 5.0 updates arriving now and many device owners are yet to see anything.
As usual, let us know in the comments what you think about the latest iteration running on your device. Do you notice the faster and smoother ROM? Are the features making you fall in love with your phone all over again? Let us know what you think!