Android Lollipop update causes problems


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Early adopters of Google's latest Android operating system are warning others of problems with the software.

 

Issues include the update causing Nexus 7 tablets to run slowly and repeatedly crash, with several users complaining they had become "unusable".

 

The code also appears to remove apps built with Adobe Air and then prevent them from being reinstalled.

 

Adobe said it had not been aware of this "critical" bug before Tuesday and had escalated it with Google.

 

A spokesman for the search firm was unable to comment at this time.

 

'Shockingly bad'

 

Android 5.0 - also known as Lollipop - is described as a "quantum leap forward" by Google and has attracted several positive reviews, fuelling desire for the software.

 

It revamps the system's user interface, offers greater control over notifications, and makes changes to the way the OS executes code, which Google said should mean fewer "temporary glitches" than before.

 

At the moment, it is only available to a limited number of machines, because many network operators and device manufacturers have yet to complete their own tests.

 

However, owners of Nexus-branded machines - which are sold by Google itself - can install the software by downloading it from the firm's website or, in the case of the Asus-made Nexus 7, accepting an over-the-air update.

 

Nvidia, LG and Motorola have also released Android Lollipop updates for some of their handsets and tablets.

 

Dozens of messages posted to Google's own forums suggest that owners of the 2012 version of the Nexus 7, in particular, are experiencing headaches.

 

"Some apps won't work and some crash. I wish I didn't install the update," wrote Kristen Sawyer.

 

Another user, nicknamed StretchToo said: "Chrome is dead, unusable, Firefox just about works, the keyboard takes over a minute to load, nearly works if you hunt and peck but dies if you try to swipe."

 

Some tablet owners have, however, suggested potential solutions to such problems.

 

"Updated and the Nexus is [so] shockingly bad it is basically unusable, lags just rotating the screen, every task takes 10 seconds to perform if it does it [at all]," wrote Gary Looker.

 

"I've turned off Google Now, changed transitions to zero and limited it to two background apps maximum like the good people here suggested.

 

"I shouldn't have to do that, and many people won't know where to turn or who to listen to."

 

Rest of article: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30116319

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Still waiting for my Nexus 4 to get the OTA update.

 

The above all seems to be aimed at the Nexus 7 so I'll hold off on that for now as it's may daughters and she doesn't really care for these sorts of things.

 

Anyone here with an older device actually managed to update to comment on how they have found it?

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Hrm -- don't have it yet on the few Nexus 7 2013's in the house, may have to postpone it for a bit till the kinks get worked out, my HTC One M7 probably won't be for a while yet anyway.

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Sounds to me like this is a problem that lies on the app developers, and not actually Android itself.  Same sort of thing happens when iOS is gets major rev'ed and the apps aren't "refreshed".

 

Installed Lollipop on my N7 (2013) and it seems to run pretty well.  It still lags here and there, but definitely an improvement over the previous version.  I really like that they've put in a great deal of effort organizing the OS.  I really despised Android due to how messy and inconsistent it was, but Lollipop is a hell of a lot better.  I still feel that iOS is better on a phone (at least for my needs), but Android on a tablet is now a better experience than an iPad (due to the benefits of a big screen).

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Sounds to me like this is a problem that lies on the app developers, and not actually Android itself.  Same sort of thing happens when iOS is gets major rev'ed and the apps aren't "refreshed".

 

Installed Lollipop on my N7 (2013) and it seems to run pretty well.  It still lags here and there, but definitely an improvement over the previous version.  I really like that they've put in a great deal of effort organizing the OS.  I really despised Android due to how messy and inconsistent it was, but Lollipop is a hell of a lot better.  I still feel that iOS is better on a phone (at least for my needs), but Android on a tablet is now a better experience than an iPad (due to the benefits of a big screen).

 

Exactly, but the first thing I always do after a major OS update on a phone or tablet is a factory reset as that resolves 90-95% of issues.

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I just wonder if these issues relate to third party apps and ART.

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I just wonder if these issues relate to third party apps and ART.

 

That would be my guess.  About 1/4 of the apps installed on my N7 have been updated recently.  Not having any issues, but i am sure there are some issues with L and ART.  I believe this was expected.

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That would be my guess.  About 1/4 of the apps installed on my N7 have been updated recently.  Not having any issues, but i am sure there are some issues with L and ART.  I believe this was expected.

 

On CM11 I had issues when switching to ART, used to get continual crashes. I do know that ART was experimental on Android 4.4 though. 

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Typical news "story" that is nothing more than your usual PEBKAC issues.  My Nexus 5 runs fantastic!

 

How many average users would do a factory reset after an OS update?

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Still waiting for my Nexus 4 to get the OTA update.

 

The above all seems to be aimed at the Nexus 7 so I'll hold off on that for now as it's may daughters and she doesn't really care for these sorts of things.

 

Anyone here with an older device actually managed to update to comment on how they have found it?

Got 5.0 installed on a 2012 N7, and it's terrible, mostly due to the vastly decreased peformance. It slow before, but it's probably 3x slower now. Surprisingly it works better on my Galaxy Nexus (which was unofficially updated by a thrid party ROM maker) than it does on an officially updated N7.

 

I do have to wonder exactly how broken software like this (or AC:Unity for instance) gets signed off on/released. Is QA not a thing anymore?

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Isn't the 2012 Nexus 7 the one with the slow as balls storage? I read that Asus cheaped out and used very poor parts or something.

Yes it is.

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I've yet to experience any bug on my Nexus4. I manually applied the OTA image and everything is working great so far.

I can't comment on the Nexus 7 (2012) as I haven't updated it yet. I read this morning something about the performance problems being fixed by clearing the cache from the recovery menu, I guess I'll have to try once I finally update if things are as bad as the OP article says.

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