LG G3s first to get the Lollipop upgrade

LG Electronics says it is the first global smartphone manufacturer to offer the Lollipop upgrade in 2014. The new version of the Android operating system which is used in smartphones, Android 5.0 or "Lollipop", will be rolled out to its G3 smartphones starting in Poland the week of November 10, to be followed by other key markets in the near future, LG said. 

Source: LG.

This latest Android OS delivers a host of improvements including added depth, shadows and animations. Notifications are improved with a new layout and colour scheme and will be available on the new lock screen. A new security feature to strengthen the connectivity between devices will include enabling users to unlock their smartphone when it is physically near a pre-registered Bluetooth device such as the LG G Watch or G Watch R. 

“LG is absolutely committed to giving our customers the best mobile experiences available and bringing Android Lollipop to G3 owners as soon as possible is a top priority,” said Dr Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The new features and improvements in Android 5.0 will bring a whole new user experience to the G3 and make it even better than it already is.”

Additional details related to LG devices, including an upgrade schedule for other LG mobile devices, will be announced in the near future as the Lollipop upgrade becomes available in local markets.

HTC launches Android-based Nexus 9, pre-orders from October 17

HTC has launched the first Android Lollipop tablet*, the Nexus 9. The result of a collaboration between HTC and Google, the Nexus 9 is designed to deliver a premium tablet experience. 

The Nexus 9 comes with features for multi-tasking while allowing for a high level of personalisation and security through a range of secure login functions.

Encased in a brushed aluminum frame, the tablet also has an 8.9" display with 4:3" viewing ratio, and weighs 436g**. The tablet uses an NVIDIA Tegra K1 64-bit dual-core processor that makes switching between tasks both simple and fast, while its Kepler GPU delivers desktop grade performance and graphics in tablet form.

A 1.6MP front camera and an 8 MP rear camera plus a 2K screen (2,048 x 1,536) resolution cover all bases. Dual front facing speakers feature a dedicated smart amp and HTC BoomSound profile for speaker mode, to enable stereo sound from the front of the device.

“The Nexus 9 is a great example of what can be achieved when two companies, united in their passion for innovative technology, come together to create a product with the user experience at the very centre of the design process,” said Peter Chou, HTC’s CEO. "HTC’s unrivalled design language combines with the very latest software advancements to deliver a premium tablet, inside and out.”

The Nexus 9 comes in white*** and black 16GB, 32GB and 32GB LTE models and will be available for worldwide pre-sales from the Google Play store beginning October 17, with shipping and availability in retail outlets beginning November 3. For further information on features, functionality and accessories, visit http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/android-be-together-not-same.html.

*The Nexus 9 is the first tablet to run Android Lollipop as of October 15, 2014.
**Figure relates to the LTE version of the Nexus 9. 
***The soft-grip back will come in black, brown and white. Different models may be available in only black or only white.