Google’s latest software update, the Android 5.0 more popularly known as the Android Lollipop has the Android community abuzz. Here are the features of the new update.
Material Design
This is a new, bold, colorful, and responsive UI design for consistent, intuitive experiences across all devices. Google has promised it will be responsive, have natural motion, realistic lighting and shadows, and familiar visual elements making it easier to navigate your device. It has vivid new colors, typography, and edge-to-edge imagery help to focus your attention. Many have compared it to Apple’s iOS8 but I think it goes even a little further in aesthetics.
Notifications
Android L brings new ways to control when and how you receive messages – the user only get interrupted when they want to be. Users can view and respond to messages directly from the lock screen. It also includes the ability to hide sensitive content for these notifications. For fewer disruptions,Priority mode can be turned via the device’s volume button so only certain people and notifications get through. Or users can schedule recurring downtime like 10pm to 8am when only Priority notifications can get through. With Lollipop, incoming phone calls won’t interrupt what you’re watching or playing or reading. One can choose to answer the call or just keep doing what they are doing.
One can also control the notifications triggered by apps; hide sensitive content and prioritize or turn off the app’s notifications entirely. There is also more intelligent ranking of notifications based on who they’re from and the type of communication. See all your notifications in one place by tapping the top of the screen
Battery
Google promises that this new update will bring power for the long haul. It has a battery saver feature which extends device use by up to 90 mins
Estimated time left to fully charge is displayed when device is plugged in and estimated time left on your device before you need to charge again can now be found in battery settings
Security
Android L keeps your stuff safe and sound. New devices come with encryption automatically turned on to help protect data on lost or stolen devices
SELinux enforcing for all applications means even better protection against vulnerabilities and malware
One can use Android Smart Lock to secure a phone or tablet by pairing it with a trusted device like a wearable or even a car.
Device Sharing
The new Android L features core flexible sharing with family and friends. It has a feature for multiple users for phones. If you forget your phone, you still can call any of your friends (or access any of your messages, photos etc.) by simply logging into another Android phone running Lollipop. Also perfect for families who want to share a phone, but not their stuff
It as well has Guest user for phones and tablets which means you can lend your device and not your info
Screen pinning: pin your screen so another user can access just that content without messing with your other stuff
New Quick Settings
Get to the most frequently used settings with just two swipes down from the top of the screen
- New handy controls like flashlight, hotspot, screen rotation and cast screen controls
- Easier on/off toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location
- Manually adjust your brightness for certain conditions. Then, adaptive brightness will kick in based on ambient lighting
Connectivity
Android L brings a better internet connection everywhere and more powerful Bluetooth low energy capabilities. These include
- Improved network handoffs resulting in limited interruption in connectivity. For example, continue your video chat or VoIP calls without interruption as you leave the house and switch from your home Wi-Fi back to cellular
- Improved network selection logic so that your device connects only if there is a verified internet connection on Wi-Fi
- Power-efficient scanning for nearby Bluetooth low energy (“BLE”) devices like wearables or beacons
- New BLE peripheral mode
Runtime and Performance
A faster, smoother and more powerful computing experience using ART – an entirely new Android runtime, improves application performance and responsiveness; up to 4x performance improvements; smoother UI for complex, visually rich applications; and compacting backgrounded apps and services so you can do more at once
Also has support for 64 bit devices, like the Nexus 9, brings desktop class CPUs to Android. Also pure Java language apps run as 64-bit apps automatically
Media
Bolder graphics and improved audio, video, and camera capabilities
- Lower latency audio input ensuring that music and communication applications that have strict delay requirements provide an amazing realtime experience
- Multi-channel audio stream mixing means professional audio applications can now mix up to eight channels including 5.1 and 7.1 channels
- USB Audio support means you can plug USB microphones, speakers, and a myriad of other USB audio devices like amplifiers and mixers into your Android device
- OpenGL ES 3.1 and Android extension pack brings Android to the forefront of mobile graphics putting it on par with desktop and console class performance
- A range of new professional photography features for Android Lollipop that let you
- Capture full resolution frames around 30 fps
- Support raw formats like YUV and Bayer RAW
- Control capture settings for the sensor, lens, and flash per individual frame
- Capture metadata like noise models and optical information
- State of the art video technology with support for HEVC to allow for UHD 4K video playback, tunneled video for high quality video playback on Android TV and improved HLS support for streaming
OK Google
Even if your screen is off, you can say “OK Google” on devices with digital signal processing support such as Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 and talk to Google on the go to get quick answers, send a text, get directions and more
Android TV
Android L features support for living room devices. It has a user interface adapted for the living room. Also has Voice search for Google Play, YouTube and supported apps so you can just say what you want to see and a console-style Android gaming on your TV with a gamepad.
Device setup
You can now easily setup your android device. Tap & go instantly sets up your new Android phone or tablet by simply tapping it to your old one (requires NFC)
Also, whenever you get a new Android phone or tablet, you can bring over your apps from Google Play automatically from any of your old Android devices
Others
- Tap & pay: easily manage multiple payment apps by quickly switching between them
- Print preview and page range support
- Revamped display for battery, Bluetooth, data usage, and Wi-Fi settings and new search functionality in settings
- Easier sharing with
- Improved ranking of your options within the share menu
- Android Beam: lets you share a file with someone nearby by gently tapping the two devices together
- Where supported by the hardware, your device will wake up as soon as you pick it up or tap the screen twice
- Improved hardware keyboard accessory support including support for multilingual, emoji input, search key, and improved app and system key chords
Image Credits: Android, Mashable
