As you unwrap the new software, we wanted to use this week’s Download—our regular spotlight on software—to answer three of the most frequently asked questions we’ve been hearing about our upgrade process.

Though we try to make the process seem easy, it’s actually pretty complicated. That’s because we want to ensure a quality experience across every device that gets the upgrade. Let’s do a quick recap of how a major new version of Android comes to your phone.

Google improved the Android release process with Lollipop, which was important because Lollipop is the biggest and most ambitious release of Android ever. Everyone needed time to adapt. Several developer previews were released early so that developers—and device and chipset manufacturers that are part of the early access program—could kick the tires. 

A critical milestone occurs at the “public push” of a new version of Android—when Google releases the source code to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), typically with the introduction of a new Nexus device. 

At this point, we are able to start testing the software with most other third parties, such as local carriers in different markets and various governing organizations. The process varies from region to region. Fortunately, one benefit to shipping cleaner software with no skins and less bloatware is that it allows us to test more quickly with fewer third-party apps to validate. This enables us to bring you updates even faster.

Once the testing is done, we are able to begin pushing the update to your device.

Even though Lollipop was way bigger than past releases, we raced to beat our prior record, releasing the first upgrades to Moto X (2nd Gen.) Pure Edition just eight days after the public push. 

Before releasing an upgrade widely, we perform “soak” tests, during which we release the software to a small group of users so that we can monitor performance data and user feedback over several days to make sure everything looks good. 

It is very important to us that an upgrade improves your experience. The soak test can reveal problems that need to be fixed, and based on the feedback we may decide to tweak or incorporate new changes to correct any issues. 

Sometimes we expand to a larger set of users to account for issues that might only appear in a bigger group. Once we’ve taken these steps, we open the upgrade for all users for that model and country combination. If you see someone posting a screenshot or tweeting that they got the upgrade, and you still haven’t received it, they are likely part of a soak test group.

If you’d like to learn more information about soak tests and the Motorola Feedback Network, you can visit this page.

You can see which products will be receiving the Lollipop upgrade on our software upgrades page, however there may be many different software builds for each device to develop and test, so availability times can vary by carrier and region. We’ll always announce upgrades as soon as they become available.

Carrier partners often have additional features and test requirements that need to be completed for each device. These requirements vary from carrier to carrier and across different regions. They also have lab testing times that can range from weeks to months. In some cases, devices on older or less powerful chipsets may need more work to ensure good performance when running Lollipop. 

We hope you enjoy this latest push of Lollipop! Let us know what other questions you have on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook, and we’ll keep answering. You can also check the software upgrades page for the latest status of your device and read our support FAQs and release notes for more information. 

Posted by David Schuster, Software Updates

Widely hailed by reviewers around the world as one of the best Android smartphones on the market, Moto X features a stylish design with a refined metal frame and a vivid 5.2” HD display, as well as backs made using authentic materials such as FSC® certified woods and genuine Horween® leather.

Starting in early February, just in time for Spring Festival, Moto X will be available to purchase in several different designs. In the spirit of choice, we want the people of China to vote on what colors and materials they would like to see featured first. Visit motorola.com.cn on January 7, Beijing time, to learn more and to let your voice be heard! After Spring Festival, people will be able to design their own Moto X through our Moto Maker design tool.

Moto X Pro: Choose to go big. (Available after Spring Festival)
Designed by Motorola and providing the latest Android, Moto X Pro gives you bigger images and better sound with a 6-inch Quad HD display and front-facing stereo speakers for immersive sound. A 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization takes high-quality photos in all lighting. Top it off with the latest 2.7GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 805 processor and a 3220 mAh battery that delivers more than 24 hours of power.

Moto G: Choose a phone that keeps up with you. (Available after Spring Festival)
Moto G was designed with you in mind, focusing on what you’ve said you value most. The curved design fits comfortably in your hand and nicely in your pocket, with colorful Motorola Shells included so you can switch to match your style. Surf the Internet quickly and multitask with ease as Moto G offers 4G LTE and quad-core processing speed, incredible call quality, dual-SIM capability, a brilliant 5” HD display and stereo sound.

We’re eager to build a direct relationship with Chinese consumers and empower them by bringing the mobile Internet to millions of people. With the new Moto X, new Moto X Pro and new Moto G with 4G LTE, the people of China will have the power to choose.