My five killer features for Android 5.1 on the Nexus 6
So, I’ve been using my Google Nexus 6 by Motorola for over a month now, and while it’s by far the best Android phone I’ve ever used, there are still some things that could definitely be improved. Without further ado, here is my wishlist for the next OTA update for my Nexus 6 – if Google somehow manages to squeeze all these things into a single OTA update, I will be in heaven and will officially declare the Nexus 6 the King of All Smartphones.
1. WiFi calling and VOLTE. Granted, this will just affect T-Mobile users like me, but this is my number one wish for the Nexus 6. There are still places I occasionally go where T-Mobile’s otherwise awesome network just doesn’t reach, and WiFi calling would allow me to call and text using my mobile number, not my Google Voice number. Throw some VOLTE in there while you’re at it, Google, for seamless WiFi-to-mobile transitions, and we’re in business.
2. Faster camera shutter speeds. The Nexus 6 camera is the best camera on a Nexus phone to date, but it can be better. Compared to the iPhone 6 – hell, compared to the HTC EVO 4G LTE from two and a half years ago – the shutter speed is painfully slow. There are some tricks and workarounds, for sure, but I want it to work great out of the box. Period.
3. Tap to wake functionality. The hardware supports it. The Nexus 9 supports it. Why doesn’t Google support it on the Nexus 6? I shouldn’t have to root to get this.
4. Miracast functionality. Again, the hardware supports it. The software supports it with root, and just tweaking one line in the build.prop. Not everyone wants or has a Chromecast, and even though I’m heavily invested in the Google Cast ecosystem, I still have a TV in my house that only supports Miracast. It’s available in the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7. Come on, Google … don’t be a tool.
5. Turn on those darn LED notification lights! Did you know the Nexus 6 actually has notification LEDs behind the top speaker grill? You can turn them on with root – but again, why should I have to do that? If the hardware supports it, so should you, Google.
I know a lot of people are in the same boat as me – many of you have just one or two killer features that, if Google implemented in Android 5.1 on the Nexus 6, would turn this phone into a beast. Feel free to share with me below in the comments!
