Android 5.0 - Lollipop

On October 15 2014, Google announced Android L, which is officially called Android Lollipop and it is also known as Android 5.0. Sundar Pichai, head of Android, claims it is one of Androids biggest upgrades to date. It has a fully new design and 5000 new API's. Android 5.0 will be seamless across devices: phones, TVs, tablets, and watches.

What will it cost?

• Its FREE, but some handsets will take longer than others

What is Android Lollipop all about?

• New interface/design
  • Android is changing the way they look; this new design is heavily based on making every animation, every ripple, and every shadow look real. They are trying to bring consistency so it doesn't matter which device you are using.
  • The material design has a more tangible interaction. Has natural motion, realistic lighting and shadows, and virtual elements that allow easier navigation with your device.
• Notifications and lock screen
  • With a complete overhaul, you can choose to only show relevant and important information.
  • Android Lollipop is set to learn from you, it will figure out what you interact with more often to prioritize those notifications.
  • Notifications like a phone call will flow over the top of the screen now, which means if you're playing a game or texting it will not be in the way.
• Android Lollipop battery life
  • Android Lollipop opens the battery use information up to developers, in turn they should be able to see what's causing drainage in battery life.
• Security
  • With Android Lollipop new devices will 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
• Device Sharing
  • This pretty much is like having 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. just by simply logging into another Android phone running Lollipop.
• 68+ languages
  • Android Lollipop added 15 new languages: Basque, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese (Hong Kong), Galician, Icelandic, Kannada, Kyrgyz, Macedonian, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Sinhala, Tamil, Telugu
• OK Google
  • Gives us Easy access to information and performing tasks. Simply turn on the feature and access your phone even when its locked.
• Android TV
  • Yes this sounds exactly like what you just read, big box companies like Sony, Philips and Sharp have whole 4K set up around Android TV.
  • Search is integrated with Android TV, using a mobile phone or even an Android Wear watch, so say you search for 'Doctor Who' on the phone while it is connected to the Android TV, it will show you the option to watch it on Google Play or any other compatible app installed on the device
• AND MANY MORE FEATURES!

When can I get the upgrade to Android 5.0, Lollipop?

• Nexus 4, 5, 7, 10 and Google Play edition devices
  • "In the coming weeks" – so hopefully some users will get the upgrade as soon as November.
• HTC
  • HTC has already been in contract with android and has made the following statement:
    • "We will begin rolling out updates to the HTC One (M8) and HTC One (M7) in regions worldwide within 90 days of receiving final software from Google, followed shortly thereafter by other One family members and select devices."
  • Motorola
    • Has confirmed that Android Lollipop will be available on the Moto X, and OnePlus will receive Android Lollipop within three months of Google releasing a final build.
  • Sony
    • Sony has openly stated that it will be "bringing Android 5.0 Lollipop to the entire Xperia Z Series." They have stated that they will start the upgrade at beginning of 2015 for the core Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 series and continue thereafter for all remaining devices on the list.
  • Samsung
    • Samsung hasn't released any information on expected launch dates, but we can imagine they will follow a similar schedule as HTC
  • LG
    • Hasn't released any information on Android Lollipop but we will be surprised if LG doesn't upgrade their devices.

While we have only listed a few features of Android 5.0 Lollipop, there are many more exciting features to come with this new upgraded version for android devices. At iFixScreens we keep you up to date with your mobile technology devices. We will assist you as quickly as possible wherever you may be whether it's helping you with your device or needing a repair. Come by any of our locations and let our team assist you. Not in NY? Not a problem! Our mail-in address is available to be as convenient as possible.