The New Google 5.0 Android L OS
Newer, tastier version of Google's OS Google shared glimpses of Android L (Android 5.0) (the final name has yet to be confirmed) at its I/O event this year, and while there's still a lot left to discover, there's plenty to be excited about: The big news for Android L is the change to the way it looks - and it's going well beyond the mobile phone to the tablet, TV screen, watch and even the car.
The new Material Design is strange in that it bucks a trend at the moment - yes, it's flat, but it's heavily based on making every animation, every ripple, every shadow look real, which is something that most brands are shying away from.
Material Design is the name of Android L’s UI overhaul, and its primary aim is to kill clutter with a flat, minimalist interface and bright primary colours.
The Google+ app is the currently the easiest way to get a feel for Android's new design direction, and the new look will apply to both smartphone and tablet versions of Android L, and will also be a core feature of Android Wear.
Emphasis has also been placed on slick, flashy transitions, with the aim of seamlessly switching between connected apps.
The on-screen navigation buttons have been simplified to basic triangle, circle and square shapes, although Google has stressed that this may not be the final design.
Notifications can now drop in from the top, even when you're playing games, and you can choose to deal with them there and then, or wait until you've cracked the high score.
The new lock screen notifications have also been given a boost. The lock screen now essentially replicated the drop-down notification menu, displaying all of your notifications as cards.
You can choose to dismiss them by swiping them away, or open them up to see more information.
Slicker multitasking -
Multitasking has also been given a boost, with an all-new 3D card-style view which lets you flick through different apps like a virtual rolodex.
Android L
Individual chrome tabs now have a dedicated card each. If you're in one app and open another directly from it (going from Gallery to Instagram for example), then the new app will also have its own tab.
It all makes clicking between webpages and apps a far more fluid experience, and it's a very welcome change.
We are however a little concerned about how messy all those cards will get during a heavy multitasking session. Something tells us that the current setup which shows of multiple open apps could be quicker. Time will tell.
The lockscreen is getting smarter too - if you've got a specific location set up, or are wearing a Bluetooth device, the phone will recognise you and unlock without a PIN. Move away or take your watch off and you'll need to tap or swipe in a code when you unlock - or you can even use your voice.
Android L’s lock screen has also smartened up. It can now automatically unlock if it recognises that it’s in a secure situation.
It will, for example, remove the lock screen pattern or pin if it’s connected to your smartwatch. It can also bypass security measures in trusted locations like your house, for example.
ART is now the default runtime in Android L. While that won’t mean a lot to most people, it essentially means that the engine running behind the scenes has been completely renewed.
Apps and animations will run at a much more fluid 60fps, and Android L now offers over twice the speed of its previous runtime, Dalvik. Impressive stuff.
Other tweaks include an improvement in graphics performance, and Google has worked with the likes of Nvidia and Qualcomm to further improve optimisations within their own processors.
More stamina
Android L will land with Project Volta - an app which focuses on improving battery life.
It offers in-depth battery life information at your fingertips, letting you pinpoint possible causes of battery drain.
This, coupled with various under-the-hood-optimisations, means that
developers should be able to produce apps which are even more efficient
and less power-hungry.
Android L also has a built-in battery saver mode, which presumably automatically reduces brightness and cranks down data connections and app syncing, in a similar fashion to battery saver modes found in the LG G3 and HTC One (M8).
We saw a lot more about Android Wear - and not only that, but we were introduced to Samsung's Gear Live, the third member of the new smartwatch game Google is trying to put together before Apple throws its hat into the ring.
Android Wear will use the same tools as on Android for phones and tablets, plus square and circular screens will be supported. Sensors will be well integrated for fitness and social interactions, and help reduce the need to check a phone screen. It's basically wearables like the Galaxy Gear 2, really.
Android TV now baked right in too
Android L is also going to support TV, with information overlaid across the top of the information. It's called Android TV, surprisingly, and after the failure of Google TV the brand is having another go, such was the popularity of the Chromecast.
This means you've got content (games, films, TV shows etc) straight on your big screen and has a home button to get you back to the main display whenever you want.
The dessert-themed code name that we assume will begin with L is anyone's guess at this stage. Android 5.0 Lemon Cheesecake or Android 5.0 Lemon Meringue Pie, anyone? Though there's talk that it might be called Android Lollipop or even Android Moonshine,
Update : Android L 5.0 is officially called Lollipop
The new Material Design is strange in that it bucks a trend at the moment - yes, it's flat, but it's heavily based on making every animation, every ripple, every shadow look real, which is something that most brands are shying away from.
Material Design is the name of Android L’s UI overhaul, and its primary aim is to kill clutter with a flat, minimalist interface and bright primary colours.
The Google+ app is the currently the easiest way to get a feel for Android's new design direction, and the new look will apply to both smartphone and tablet versions of Android L, and will also be a core feature of Android Wear.
Emphasis has also been placed on slick, flashy transitions, with the aim of seamlessly switching between connected apps.
The on-screen navigation buttons have been simplified to basic triangle, circle and square shapes, although Google has stressed that this may not be the final design.
What's New?
Smarter notifications For starters, its notification system has been overhauled, and is now even more useful.Notifications can now drop in from the top, even when you're playing games, and you can choose to deal with them there and then, or wait until you've cracked the high score.
The new lock screen notifications have also been given a boost. The lock screen now essentially replicated the drop-down notification menu, displaying all of your notifications as cards.
You can choose to dismiss them by swiping them away, or open them up to see more information.
Slicker multitasking -
Multitasking has also been given a boost, with an all-new 3D card-style view which lets you flick through different apps like a virtual rolodex.Android L
Individual chrome tabs now have a dedicated card each. If you're in one app and open another directly from it (going from Gallery to Instagram for example), then the new app will also have its own tab.
It all makes clicking between webpages and apps a far more fluid experience, and it's a very welcome change.
We are however a little concerned about how messy all those cards will get during a heavy multitasking session. Something tells us that the current setup which shows of multiple open apps could be quicker. Time will tell.
It's safer
Android L’s lock screen has also smartened up. It can now automatically unlock if it recognises that it’s in a secure situation.
It will, for example, remove the lock screen pattern or pin if it’s connected to your smartwatch. It can also bypass security measures in trusted locations like your house, for example.
It's faster
ART is now the default runtime in Android L. While that won’t mean a lot to most people, it essentially means that the engine running behind the scenes has been completely renewed.Apps and animations will run at a much more fluid 60fps, and Android L now offers over twice the speed of its previous runtime, Dalvik. Impressive stuff.
Other tweaks include an improvement in graphics performance, and Google has worked with the likes of Nvidia and Qualcomm to further improve optimisations within their own processors.
More stamina
Android L will land with Project Volta - an app which focuses on improving battery life.
It offers in-depth battery life information at your fingertips, letting you pinpoint possible causes of battery drain.
This, coupled with various under-the-hood-optimisations, means that
developers should be able to produce apps which are even more efficient
and less power-hungry.Android L also has a built-in battery saver mode, which presumably automatically reduces brightness and cranks down data connections and app syncing, in a similar fashion to battery saver modes found in the LG G3 and HTC One (M8).
Android Wear gets kicked up a Gear
Android Wear will use the same tools as on Android for phones and tablets, plus square and circular screens will be supported. Sensors will be well integrated for fitness and social interactions, and help reduce the need to check a phone screen. It's basically wearables like the Galaxy Gear 2, really.
Android TV now baked right in too
Android L is also going to support TV, with information overlaid across the top of the information. It's called Android TV, surprisingly, and after the failure of Google TV the brand is having another go, such was the popularity of the Chromecast.
This means you've got content (games, films, TV shows etc) straight on your big screen and has a home button to get you back to the main display whenever you want.
The dessert-themed code name that we assume will begin with L is anyone's guess at this stage. Android 5.0 Lemon Cheesecake or Android 5.0 Lemon Meringue Pie, anyone? Though there's talk that it might be called Android Lollipop or even Android Moonshine,
Update : Android L 5.0 is officially called Lollipop
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