Related Articles
James Martin/CNET
Motorola on Friday began pushing out an Android software update to its current flagship smartphone, the second-generation Moto X . This isn’t just any old update, mind you, but one with a cool new feature.
Related Links
- Moto X (2014) review
- Moto E 4G LTE (2015) review
- Google seeks tweak to Microsoft-Motorola patent case
As part of Android 5.1, Motorola has introduced a new Moto Action gesture that turns on the phone’s flashlight. Clunkily called “Chop twice for Flashlight”on Motorola’s official website, you wave the phone in the air like you’re cutting an onion. This turns on the LED camera flash until you “chop” again to turn it off.
In addition to Motorola’s flashlight action, Android 5.1 provides a number of other enhancements, including stronger security for lost or stolen devices. Additionally, the update brings HD voice support and quicker access to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings.
The Android 5.1 Lollipop update is available for select Moto X models in Brazil. A wider rollout is expected soon; US-branded versions could be a few weeks down the road.
According to Motorola product manager David Schuster, the hardware-maker is also pushing the 5.1 update to US retail versions of the second-generation Moto E 4G LTE . What’s more, it’s working with Verizon on the update for the Droid Turbo . Once ready, it will jump the phone from KitKat directly to this latest Lollipop release.
