The release of the Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 is right around the corner. Even though Google failed to reveal when the new Android iteration will be rolled out to the public, recent leaks seem to indicate that Android 5.0 L release date is close. We have all gathered here to talk about the Android 5.0 L release date.
But before getting into details about when the Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 will be pushed to the users, let’s have a look at some of the new features that arrive with the new Android version. Many agree that the Android 5.0 L update is the most major update Google applied to their mobile platform since it debuted back in 2008. Yes, it’s even bigger than the jump from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich.
Android 5.0 L introduces Material Design, which is Google’s new design philosophy for their mobile operating system. In Android 5.0 L all actions are animated, the interface is more colorful, and the 3D effects and shadows make the UI more intuitive. You will be able to see where everything came from and where everything goes, all these at 60 fps fluid transitions.
Besides Material Design, the new update also arrives with performance improvements, support for 64-bit processors, while ART replaces the obsolete Dalvik runtime. Project Volta also plays a big role in Android 5.0 L. It aims to improve the battery life of the devices powered by the new Android version. In fact, a Nexus 5 running Android L Developer Preview has 30 – 40% more battery life, which is a significant improvement.
The Notifications Panel has also received notable improvements in Android 5.0 L. It now has a new color scheme and the background is transparent, allowing the users to see what’s on their screen even though they pull down the notifications bar. You should also be able to notice that the Quick Settings button has been ditched. The Quick Settings menu itself is still there, only that you will access it in a different way. You will have to swipe down once to get to the Notifications Panel, then swipe down once again to reveal Quick Settings. Here you will be able to find a slider for Brightness control and toggles for WiFi, Bluetooth, Mobile Data, Airplane Mode, Notifications, Auto Rotate, Location, and Cast Screen.
The Android 5.0 L Lock Screen is, in my opinion, one of the best things brought by the new update. It now shows your notifications and it allows you to interact with them. You will be able to swipe away notifications to dismiss them, tap on notifications to read them, or swipe down on a group of notifications to reveal all notifications from the respective app. Furthermore, the notifications are prioritized based on the frequency you interact with them.
The Status Bar now behaves differently in Android 5.0 L. Even though it’s still transparent in the lock and home screens, it changes its color so it can match the action bar of the app you just opened. All the native Android apps will behave this way once Android 5.0 L is released, but the developers will also have to put in some efforts and change their apps for a unified visual experience.
Changes have been applied to the Android 5.0 L Settings app, as well. It has received a new color scheme and it has been reorganized. The animations have been changed, too, and you should notice new toggles and check boxes. There’s also a search bar, that will allow you to easily find the option you were looking for.
Android 5.0 L also brings significant changes to the Recents menu. You last apps are now displayed as cards stacked one over another in a way similar to Chrome’s recent tabs. There’s also the so-called document-centric multitasking, which allow certain apps to have more than one card in Recents. For example, Chrome can display a separate card for each opened tab.
So far, each Android iteration had a specific version number and a nickname with dessert inspiration. Latest release was introduced as Android L, but we are sure that this is not the final name of the update. Because it introduces a large number of changes and improvements, the version number will no doubt be 5.0. As for the dessert name, we’ve heard reports of Lollipop or Licorice in the past, but the latest information shows it might be actually called Lemon Meringue Pie. Summing up, the new update might hit the market as Android 5.0 Lemon Meringue Pie (or Android 5.0 LMP).
Google has also made some changes to the way new Android updates are released. You probably know that, until now, Google released two major Android updates a year: one in the summer (at I/O in June, or a month after in July) and the other one mid-to-late fall (late October, usually around Halloween). Anyway, Google have changed their strategy for the launch of Android 5.0 L. Their new approach is a reminiscent of Apple’s iOS launches.
How? I’m glad you’ve asked. Apple is usually announcing new iOS updates in the summer at WWDC, then makes them available in Beta for the developers. The final versions are always released in the fall, when new iPhones are announced. As you may know, Google introduced Android L in the summer at Google I/O and released the Developer Preview for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013 for testing purposes. The final build will be released for the public later this fall, when new Nexus hardware will also be announced. A recent report is revealing that Nexus 9 might be announced in Q3, therefore expect the Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 to become available early October.
Even though it was rumored a few months ago that the Nexus program will be replaced by a new one called Android Silver, leaks of unannounced Nexus hardware are surfacing online on a weekly basis. In fact, a Google employee officially dismissed the rumors that said the Nexus family will be discontinued.
First, we’ve heard of a new Nexus tablet. The said device is allegedly manufactured by HTC and codenamed Flounder. The unofficially dubbed Nexus 9 has an 8.9-inch screen with 4:3 aspect ratio, 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 processor, 8 MP primary camera, 4 GB RAM, and “aluminium zero-gap” construction. There’s also worth of a new Nexus smartphone. The Nexus 6 is reportedly manufactured by Motorola and it’s known internally as Shamu. If the reports are to be believed, the Nexus 6 will arrive with a quad-core Snapdragon 805 CPU, 5.2-inch Quad HD screen, 3 GB RAM, and 13 MP rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization. One sure thing is that both devices will come pre-loaded with Android 5.0 L.
As usual, the Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 will be the first one to be pushed to the users. The Google Play Edition devices will get it next, followed shortly after by Motorola’s supported devices. It’s also worth noting that HTC promised to bring the new update on One M7 and One M8 within 90 after Google makes the final version available. Recent reports say that both Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 will get Android 5.0 L late November or early December. LG and Sony might also release the new update by the end of the year.
Did you get the chance to play Android L Developer Preview? What are your favorite features? The comments section below is all yours.
