Android 5.0 was officially announced yesterday at the Google I/O event. While it still hasn't got it's official codename, the codename will start with L. The current Android version is still at Android 4.4 KitKat, so a jump to 5.0 should bring quite a lot of changes and improvements. While new features are on the way, the most notable features and improvements include:
- Flatter Material Design interface: The new Android will look flatter with practically every element including the navigation keys being changed. Colours are more pastel and the overall design is flatter for a softer but more comfortable look. More animation will also be included. This design will be applied to all Google platforms including Chrome OS, Android Wear and Android TV.
- More powerful Search: When you search for something now, the Search will also include usage from other apps like Google Earth to finetune your search. Other third-party apps will aslo be able to use this.
- Recent apps menu: The Recent apps get a rework with bigger tabs and more clickable stuff. Again, third-party app devs will also get access to this.
- More actionable notifications: Notifications are more interactive and can size up into a floating box when tapped so you don't have to open the app first.
- More Contextually Aware: Want to bypass your lockscreen but forgot you're wearing your smartwatch? Android 5.0 will now detect it for you, and pass you through.
- 64-bit ready: Through the use of the ART runtime, you can now run 64-bit apps with a reported 2x increase in performance. Some apps may even do better by up to 400% while you can now expect more RAM as you are no longer limited to just 4GB.
- Console graphics: Using the Android Extension pack you can now expect graphic effects like tessellation and geometry shaders for console-like levels of quality in your games and apps.
- Better battery life: Through Project Volta, Android subsystems will be better managed and therefore save more energy.
- Better enterprise features: This includes Samsung Knox integration, bulk app deployment and better data separation and security.
Developers can already get the preview version today, but the consumer version is expected in the next few months. The improvements will help mobile devices bridge the gap between PCs and laptops with smartphones and other Android powered devices providing equal if not better overall performance. No specific Malaysia release dates yet, but we'll keep you posted.
[Source]
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