Multiple bug fixes have been included in the Android 5.0.1 update and there are a few concerns that we should think about. In fact, some people may need to consider skipping the update entirely. The original Lollipop update was released for multiple Nexus and Google Play Edition devices. There are a number of new enhancement and features we could get from it. Any major software release is likely to include more than a few bugs, so it’s only a matter of time before Google releases multiple incremental updates, starting with the Android 5.0.1. There are obviously reasons to get excited with the new update, but some users also have good enough reasons to hold off for a while.

1. It may be unfamiliar for average KitKat users: For users with Android 4.4 devices, they may be reluctant to familiarize themselves with the Android 5.0; because they see no urgency to do that. If this is our situation, it is a good idea to pass on the new software update. It would take quite a while to catch up with all the new changes in features. The transition may not be as smooth for some people. As an example, the Material Design can be a really significant change and not everyone wants to know about it. Some Nexus users are even startled to see the massive change and asked why they weren’t warned. KitKat users shouldn’t switch to Android 5.0.1 blindly. They need to perform some researches and see whether the Lollipop is really what they need. If not, the Lollipop could leave them rather shell-shocked with the drastic transition.
2. There could be a few more unaddressed bugs: Obviously, Google assigned prioritization when they developed the Android 5.0.1 version. They identified more significant glitches and provide effective solutions. This could leave a few other unfixed bugs and we may need to wait for a month or so, before another incremental update is released. We could tell that the Android 5.0.1 will include some optimizations, but we don’t know whether all of them are permanent fixes; or Google only puts temporary patches to deal with some bugs. In this case, we may need to wait for a few months until the fog is lifted and things become clearer to see. Early adopters are a bit like guinea pigs and developers expect them to report glitches and bugs they missed. Android 4.4 is already a mature, stable platform. We will eventually need to migrate to the Lollipop environment, but there’s no rush in doing that.
3. Problems with older devices: It is unlikely that manufacturers of older Android models will bother to prepare Lollipop updates for their devices. However, older Nexus devices could be affected with numerous issues. As an example, users of Nexus and Nexus 7 (2012) complained about new problems after they upgraded to Android 4.4. It appears that Android 5.0 Lollipop also causes a ton of issues with both devices. This is actually not Google’s fault. Even Apple accidentally introduces new issues on older iPhone and iPad models each time they release new iOS builds. Nexus devices are released by different hardware makers and we can’t expect a new software to work uniformly on older devices with more diverse hardware components. Also, an update to Lollipop is unlikely to deliver massive performance boost. Any improvement could be so small that they are unnoticeable. In fact, there’s a chance that older devices could have more sluggish performance due to higher hardware requirements.
4. Important apps may not work: Apps performance post-Lollipop could be somewhat degraded, related with complaints on performance and stability. This shouldn’t be a surprise, given that apps tend to act up if they run in an operating system newer than they are originally designed for. Transition between Android 4.4 KitKat and Android 5.0.1 could be quite smooth for many users, but we should be cautious if we see this from apps standpoint. We need to be particularly cautious, especially if we rely on specific apps to get through busy days in the office. If we are relying on these apps, we may need to wait until developers release a version that supports Lollipop. After all essentials apps are updated, then we could expect to have a smoother Lollipop experience. In general, most 3rd party apps should work fine, but if they are important for our education and job, it may not worth the risk to update to the Lollipop.
5. Potential problems for people in extended travel trips: Some people spend a few months or longer visiting numerous countries. The Android 5.0.1 is still a relatively immature platform and there’s a chance that the overall stability will be affected. Travellers may not have the opportunity to backup their data, because reliable and secure connection may not always be available. It is generally preferable to perform backup process in our own PC. The Lollipop and its subsequent incremental updates are not going anywhere and they are still available when we get back. In fact, once we get home, there could be additional releases that provide new features and address a few more glitches.
6. Problems for unprepared people: We shouldn’t install Android 5.0.1 Lollipop if we are still rather unprepared. Before making such a major change, we need to install appropriate apps updates, clean up our devices, backup our data, unroot our phone and remove custom ROM. Obviously, these tasks could be rather time-consuming, especially if we are rather busy. The more we prepare ourselves, the fewer problems that we may likely to encounter. It is a bad idea to perform updates blindly and fail to cover all bases. We shouldn’t be that kind of person.
7. Problems for business-related devices: It is a good idea to survey the scene and hang back for a few days before we perform an update. Some people encounter issues after they update their devices to new software versions. As an example, battery life could become so degraded that the device is no longer suitable for business-related purposes. If we have an Android KitKat device for work-related tasks, it is a good idea to hold off for awhile until Android Lollipop becomes a more mature platform. Our company’s IT department should also provide an assessment on whether a new software version is suitable for business requirements. This is a decision that must be taken carefully and some businesses may deliberately postpone until the release of Android 5.1 before they start a company-wide migration.