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Google recently released yet another version of Android Lollipop, 5.0.2, but published a firmware image for only one device in its Nexus family.
If, like me, you bought a Nexus device in the hope that you’d get your updates both reliably and early, you may yet be disappointed.
In particular, if you have a Nexus 7 3G model (either the 2012 or 2013 version), you’ll still be KitKatting your way into 2015, with not even Lollipop 5.0 available yet.
For what you might call “currently supported” Nexus devices, which are those with names that are numbers (4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10) plus the Nexus Player, that means there are now four different official firmware versions.
Ironically, the Nexus 7 2012, of which there are two models, sports the oldest and the newest firmware builds, with the 3G version stuck back at Android 4.4.4 and the Wi-Fi only version leading the Nexus pack with Android 5.0.2.
As when Lollipop 5.0.1 came out, Google isn’t saying what changed, so we can’t offer you any release notes.
Interestingly, according to the changelog derived from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code and published on the Funky Android website, 5.0.2 includes changes for the Nexus models codenamed grouper and tilapia. (They’re types of fish, if you were wondering).
Grouper refers to the Nexus 7 2012 with Wi-Fi only, and tilapia to the 3G-equipped version.
So, in theory, you could use the AOSP repository to build yourself a bang-up-to-date Lollipop for your tilapia, but you’d have to do without the proprietary components that are layered on top of the base operating system in most Android firmwares, including Google’s own.
Importantly, support for Google Play is not part of the AOSP core, so an AOSP-only firmware won’t let you go about installing third-party apps in the recommended way.
By the way, if you have a Nexus 7 2012, like me, and you’re keeping your eye on the official firmware image repository, don’t look for the designations grouper and tilapia.
The Nexus 7 2012 firmware images are labelled nakasi for the Wi-Fi only device, and nakasig, where the “g” denotes GSM/3G support. (Nakasi is a type of music, if you were wondering.)
In short: yet more fragmentation, even in Google’s own corner of the Android ecosystem; and still no universal availability of Lollipop, even for what are effectively Google’s research and development platforms.
Let’s hope Google can simplify matters in 2015: all other things being equal, computer security increases as complexity decreases.
Image of a lollipop courtesy of Shutterstock.
I wouldn’t consider a mix of 5.0.0, 5.0.1, and 5.0.2 to be “fragmentation.” They’re all going to be more or less the same from both the app and user perspectives. Different hardware running the same OS version is going to make a bigger difference, unless there’s a “crashes every 5 minutes” bug or something.
It makes more sense to talk about fragmentation in terms of the major releases: Lollipop, KitKat, Jelly Bean, etc. — and adding one bugfix release doesn’t change that mix.
I reckon you’ll find a lot of IT problems have hinged on things being “more or less” the same 🙂
Fair enough, but if you’re going to count every bug fix as fragmentation, then Android’s fragmentation levels have *nothing* on the desktop world.
It’s not “counting every bug fix,” it’s the fact that even amongst Google’s own, modestly sized, set of Nexus devices, you can’t just go out and get the latest version.
I have a Nexus 5 and it’s still not available as a general update. When I check for updates I can only get 4.4.4.
you should reset factory first then try again…
I had the exact same problem but i just manually updated it.
Nexus 7 LTE 2013 and Nexus 7 2012 Mobile still only have KitKat. Google should be ashamed of themselves.
My experience w/ my 1st generation nexus 7(I have 2 of the same model) and the lollipop 5.0 DOWNGRADE is horrible….it sticks, not smooth scrolling, freezes constantly, reboots either to the nexus home page or the entire device reboots….and I might add….takes forever….just about 1 minute which in tablet time is long. I have been on the phone w/ Google and Asus….and did a factory reset………lost some apps that were not compatible but for my loss of monies…..the piece now is worthless. I am constantly sending in crash reports to no avail………disappointed isn’t the word I would use…..kitkat was much better, smoother and didn’t do any of what my nexus’s are doing now. Was hoping for a new tab for christmas…..maybe next!…..
Have you installed the 5.0.2 update? Mine runs fine on that version.
I’d rather wait for a OTA update (I don’t want to run the risk of losing anything by sideloading). I just can’t understand what’s taking so long. Other devices I have had always update within a week or so. It seems like an age since I heard 5.0.2 was coming. Where is it?
Up in the clouds.
Before feeling bad for yourself my 2013 Wi-Fi is still stuck on kit Kat where the 2012 is running smooth on lollipop
Be happy you’re not experiencing the 5.0.x troubles. I wish I could get back my 4.4, and be in piece with this tablet.
Duck wrote “So, in theory, you could use the AOSP repository to build yourself a bang-up-to-date Lollipop for your tilapia, but you’d have to do without the proprietary components that are layered on top of the base operating system in most Android firmwares, including Google’s own.”
Umm, you don’t want to do a major OS update without the corresponding Gapps update. Your warning, quoted above, should be stated more forthrightly.
Android 5.0.2 fixes many of the lag and crash issues that has afflicted the Nexus 7 WiFi 2012 running 5.0.
Android 5.0.2 is almost as smooth as 4.4.4 was on the Nexus 7 2012, and for some, the very minor lag will be worth the upgrade to 5.0.2
I have a nexus 7 2012 WiFi and I am still stuck on KitKat I bought my nexus at the same time as two others for my parents the one i igave my mum has updated to 5.0 and now 5.02 but the ones me and my dad have do not seem to update as quick can anyone tell me y this is she received the update about 2 mouths ago its so strange
As is mine
Same here
Me too! I’m stuck on KitKat. What is going on? I did a factory reset and it did nothing. Did Google forget about us? 😛
As mentioned in the article, you can get 5.0.2 for the Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi (and *only* for that model) from the Google Firmware Images link in the article.
As for when you might get it over the air (OTA)…I presume that the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. Or lost in the clouds.
Nexus 7 Mobile (3G/LTE) from 2012 and 2013…still nothing of Lollipop, neither OTA nor from the Firmware Images page.
Same here. Owner of Nexus 7 2012 and on Kitkat. I live in the UK and have nothing OTA. Update to kitkat versions was quick and effective. I will go on waiting I guess.
i have a 2012 wifi only nexus 7 and am still stuck on 4.4.4.
My Nexus 7 2012 WIFI also stuck on KitKat
Same here, too! Seems like owners of the 2012 Nexus 7 2012 WiFi model are living in a FILO world – at least when it comes to updates. I ordered my Nexus 7 online while the device presentation was still ongoing during Google I/O 2012, so I’m very early in the queue. Subsequently World + Dog have received their various updates before mine eventually trickled in.
Mines on 5.0.2 ota, nexus 7 wifi 2012, you’re better off on kitkat believe me !
I’m on nexus 2013 wifi only and I am still on 4.4.4. Absolute joke.
Same here. My brother in law has a nexus 7 with WiFi and he has lollipop for like a month already.
OK. I thought it was just me. Nexus 7 (2012) and I’m still on 4.4.4. The wait continues
Anybody in Mumbai received 5.0.2 update
I’ve been “Alpha” testing the 5.0 Lollipop version on the Nexus 7 Wi-Fi 2012, and the crash reports are understated. You’re better to stick with 4.4.4 until Google fixes their “ad delivery” system.
I’m still on KitKat on my Nexus, and on Lollipop on my phone. I miss KitKat.
Do we all just wait for the OTA 5.0.2. INCREDIBLE!!!!!
I jumped the gun and installed 5.0.2 from google’s factory images. Needless to say, the tablet is usable again! Lollipop was pretty much a plague in it’s original version. The tablet is so old it’s basically begging for experimenting. Screw the warranty, my tablet was bought the week after it launched (purchased from EU market, received US adapter btw, which sucked badly!) It’s working great as far as I’m concerned, however, if others get impatient, research into broken .img files first and read the xda-dev forum REEAAAALLYYY CAREFULLY!!
Good luck, hope this helps.
I have a nexus 2012 (WIFI), received the long-awaited upgrade to 5.0.2. Again it is a decent tablet! =)
Just got the 5.0.2 Upgrade OTA and I’ve got my nexus back it was completely and utterly useless before
I had the 5.0.2 update installed a week. It was as what early feedback indicate, seemingly no problems although slower than kitkat. Then wireless performance started deteriorating a couple of days ago. Difficulty in connecting with Google servers needed to run google apps like search, chrome, etc. Yesterday and today was the final straw and while the wifi connection icon was positive, my nexus 7 wifi 2012 tablet could not access the internet. My other tablets and smartphone where showing no such problem. So today, I downgraded to kitkat 4.4.4 and my nexus is zipping in its 2nd childhood.
Please tell me how you downgraded. I’ve been having problems with 5.0.2 as well…
Everyone seems keen for this upgrade… You can have mine, it has slowed to a crawl, Facebook disappears whilst in use, and as you says WiFi seems to turn itself off constantly…how does one do the downgrade thing..?
Do not feel sad if you don’t get the 5.0.2 update to your Nexus. I just updated my Nexus 7 to 5.0.2, and I am far from happy. Not only is it ugly (yes, subjective, I know) but it definitely is makes my Nexus 7 slower than what it was previously. And now I have to do one swipe extra to unlock it.
I wish I hadn’t updated.
Same here. I also experience random shutdowns, non functioning WiFi and horrible lag.
I’ve got a Nexus 7 2013 (rooted) and Cyanogenmod just updated beautifully from Kit Kat 4.4.4 to Lollipop 5.0.2 when I downloaded their nightly on 1/16/15. I hadn’t done a nightly for about 3 weeks. The inital 5.0.2 reboot took about twice as long, and I noticed the Nexus was much faster when Web browsing. MUCH faster. The nightlies are coming down nicely, and the N7 tablet is the fastest and smoothest by far out of the 5 Android and iPads that I presently use. So far, so good.
Be glad if you’re still on kikat. Lollipop sucks. Suck my lollipop for not making an easy option to downgrade your OS back to something that actually works. Long live KitKat. Die lollipop die.
N7 2013 32gb WiFi here and I’m unable to download 5.0.2. It just won’t take for some reason and I can’t figure out why.
This pissed me off at first. Now I’m glad. KitKat works fine on this tablet.
Newer is not necessarily better.
My nexus 10 just updated to 5.02. I’m in Australia.
Now lost sky sports (will not start up) tried logging out then in will not fire up. BT sports all O.K. what have you dun
…have asus nexus 7 wifi and 4g models – phone calling and receiving with eplus, vodofone, o2 is a NO GO! Dialed numbers dont go out and incoming numbers do not ring. Went to Eplus and they said my Nexus 7 after Android 5.0.2 update-grade, is no longer on the supported list – stated, “it wont work”. HhhMmmm…???ßßߧ§§