What you should know about Android’s new Lollipop operating system

It’s here. Google’s latest iteration of its Android Operating System, referred to as Android 5.0 or “L” for short, has an official name, and a bevy of impressive, new features. 

Meet Android Lollipop.

As you’ll note, the name is in step with the company’s last few major OS updates to have a sweetly-themed title. But besides a fun name, what else is new about Lollipop? 

Here’s a quick-hit list of some of its more key features:
• New notification system appears on the lockscreen, with smart filters that allow the user to limit the amount of notifications coming in at certain times of the day
• ART, Google’s new system run time, will replace DALVIK, and is expected to compile apps more efficiently which, in turn, will improve overall system performance
• Better battery management that, according to the company, will allow the user to extend their battery’s lifetime by up to 90 minutes
• Support for multiple separate users on one device will now be available on phones

One of the bigger changes to the system was announced a short while ago at the Google I/O conference — it’s the switch over to “Material Design”, a design language created by Android’s UX Director Matias Duarte. It’s a new look that will in all likelihood confuse users at first, but all of Google’s apps and third-party programs will eventually have to conform to it. 

Basically, “material design” uses several layers of animations, shadows, and effects that, more or less, mimic the behavior of real material. The point of it is to better meet the expectations of today’s users, who are using touchscreens that feature high resolution screens, and expect less a technological feel to the apps and programs they’re using, and more so real world interaction.

From a backend perspective, Google’s designers will now have more freedom to create programs that include a broader range of interaction behaviors: By simplifying and standardizing the Android user interface with this “material design” approach, Android users will now enjoy the same experience with the OS, regardless if it’s on a smartwatch, smartphone, or tablet. 

Android Lollipop will first be available on the new Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 devices. Google said in the announcement that it will also be coming to the Nexus 5, 7, 10, and a bunch of other “Google Play Edition” devices in the coming weeks. 

As for devices beyond this select roster, it’s up to the phone / tablet manufacturer to get the update ready. 

Via TechCrunch