Android L 5.0 Lollipop Update Release Date News: Google Drops Source Code on AOSP; HTC, Samsung, Motorola, & Custom ROM Builders' Race Is On

By Staff Writer First Posted: Nov 04, 2014 08:30 PM EST

The moment eager Android 5.0 fans have been waiting for has arrived. On Tuesday, Google released the source code for its latest OS and the countdown began for the release of Lollipop-flavored device updates and custom ROMs.

The race is on for Android OEMs like HTC, Samsung, Motorola (now owned by Lenovo), and LG to customize the new Android L 5.0 OS and push the update out OTA to their respective flagship devices.

As we previously reported, the HTC One M8 and M7 are the first in line for the Taiwanese manufacturer, while Samsung has put high priority on updating the Galaxy S5 and Note 4 first.

Meanwhile Motorola has announced a bevy of devices slated to receive Android Lollipop, including: the Moto X (1^st and 2^nd generation), the Moto G (2^nd generation), Droid Ultra, Maxx, and Mini, and the Moto E. For LG, so far the only confirmed device is the LG G3.

The source code is publically available through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), so anyone interested in downloading Lollipop for their own tinkering -- or to create a custom ROM for unlocked devices that otherwise might never see the fifth incarnation of Google's mobile OS -- can go ahead and grab the code.

Of course Android 5.0 Lollipop is making its debut on the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player (also available starting Tuesday), and the upcoming Nexus 6. Soon after, other Google smartphones and tablets, like the Nexus 7 and Nexus 5, are slated for an update.

But it's anyone's guess as to which OEM smartphones will get the Android 5.0 update first. HTC and Samsung have both said to expect the first wave 90 days after the source code release date. That would be early February, for those keeping score.

HTC and Samsung both have more to do in order to make that deadline, considering each OEM layers its own custom UI (Sense and TouchWiz, respectively) on top of every new Android build.

Motorola, on the other hand, mostly leaves Android well enough alone, so one could imagine Moto devices getting the updated OS out first. Then again, some enterprising custom ROM builders might have an Android L build out far in advance of any OEMs, for those intrepid enough to unlock and flash their devices.

We'll let you know when the OTA updates start hitting, along with any major developments along the way. Follow us on Twitter @LatinPostTech for more.