We managed to snag confirmation of the upcoming 5.1 update
to Lollipop just a few hours ago, but our tipster has already found one
of the more obvious changes to the user interface. Google has tweaked
the behavior of the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings toggles/widgets from
the Lollipop Quick Settings menu to allow users to connect to networks
or devices without going into the full-page settings menu.
If that's a little confusing, here's how it works right now: when you
lower the notification shade to the Quick Settings menu, you can either
toggle Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on or off by tapping their respective icons,
or tap the word "Wi-Fi" or "Bluetooth" instead to go to their respective
menu pages.
In 5.1 the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth text includes a little arrow pointing
down, indicating expandable functionality. Touch the text on an upgraded
phone or tablet and you'll open a small list of the closest Wi-Fi
networks or Bluetooth devices. This allows you to make or switch
connections without leaving your current app. If you need to go to the
full settings menu you can tap "more settings," or just hit done when
you're, you know, done.
This isn't an earth-shattering change, but it's a welcome one for people
who are constantly flitting between different Wi-Fi networks. It also
makes the built-in functionality a little more obvious - the dual
toggle/shortcut behavior in Android 5.0 was a little confusing,
especially since the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings worked differently
than the other toggles.
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