A new HTC Android-based smartphone Sensation
A new HTC Android-based smartphone Sensation is displayed during a news conference for the launch of the product in Taipei May 27, 2011. The mobile phone which was launched on Friday, features a 4.3 inch display screen and is priced at NT20,900 or ($725). REUTERS/Pichi Chuang Reuters/Pichi Chuang

Verizon’s HTC One M9 owners have been waiting for the Android 5.1 update for a long time. The wait finally ends.

Mo Versi, the vice president of product management at HTC, announced on Twitter that the Android 5.1 Lollipop over-the-air (OTA) update will start rolling out to HTC One M9 users on Verizon starting from Aug.20.

Apart from the new build of Android powering the handset, the update contains a patch to guard against the Stagefright exploit along with the enabling of Bands 3 and 7 for roaming. The other improvements will include better heads-up notifications and tweaked do-not-disturb settings.

One M9 already has support for all of Verizon's LTE bands. This update will enable a few more for roaming including 3 (1800MHz) and 7 (2600MHz), reports Android Police .

The new features that Android 5.1 will bring to the One M9 handsets include native Battery Saver for the new animations for Quick Settings. A new flashlight will accompany the Quick Settings and the 64-bit ART Runtime compiler will be improved after the update. Last but surely not the least, it will prevent a lost or stolen handset from being factory reset until the actual owner signs into the Google account, says a report by Phone Arena .

Stagefright is critical Android vulnerability. The Stagefright security vulnerability was recently identified and patched by Google. Following that, over the past few weeks many OEM and carriers has been sending out security updates for various Android devices to safeguard them against attacks that might exploit this vulnerability.

Updates like these are typically staggered and thus, users will have to be patient. The OTA will gradually hit the owners of the HTC One M9 over a period of time. Before starting with the process of installing and downloading the update users need to make sure that the device is connected to Wi-Fi network. Additionally, the device needs to be charged at least by 50 percent. The update may take some time to go live across the country.

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