Google announce their biggest changes to date
Last week Google finally put us all out of our misery regarding the "Mysterious L", by officially announcing the latest version of their Android operating system. The new Android 5.0 Lollipop hasn't been officially released yet (Although it has been in Beta for a number of months), but it is already the most eagerly anticipated development for Android fans in a long time, it seems that everybody can't wait to upgrade.
The excitement surrounding Lollipop is understandable as it seems Google have given Android its biggest upgrade in a number of years. If you're a fan and an existing user it looks like you won't be disappointed by the promises made this time around. From the new vivid interface to the ‘kill-switch' function which makes the device useless for thieves, you will enjoy exploring the latest improvements.
A new Material Design seemingly makes the screen look much better on all devices ranging from large TVs to small smartwatches. Combining a grid-based layout with shadows, lightning and animations Google have made the interface look more realistic and attractive. At the same time, it is expected to be easy to use.
An interesting feature is the ability to prioritise notifications from more important people (In your contacts) or apps at a specific time. They will also appear on the top of the screen. You won't need to stop watching a video when a new message appears because it will allow you to decide, if you want to respond or not.
Intelligent component, the Smart Android Lock, will unlock the device without a pin number when it recognises another connected Bluetooth device or a specific location that has previously been set up by the owner. What's more, it will also be possible to unlock the screen through the voice recognition function.
Additionally, even if the screen is locked, it allows you to use the ‘OK Google' voice command to get a quick answer. It activates the Google Search app or Google Search widget by simply saying ‘OK Google' and then asking a question. The variation of requests is very broad. You can ask for almost everything, you can make a call, set the alarm or search for directions without pressing any buttons on your android device (It works very similar to Siri on Apple devices).
Google also took care of the security innovation by promising better malware protection, which nowadays is more likely to be a concern for all Android mobile devices. What is interesting is that security patches will be available via Google Play Service. This will allow faster and more effective action against potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Yet another Android 5.0 feature is the implementation of multi-user account management which gives the opportunity to use the same device but without seeing another users data.
With the new Android Lollipop OS, you will be able to search for photos, listen to music or even use an app which is installed on one of your other Android devices. It means that you can move around and use different pieces of equipment without the need to search for the items location each and every time.
Despite having all of these fascinating features, Google didn't forget about the speed and efficiency of Lollipop, which should also be the fastest yet. Improved performance and responsiveness has been key for Android 5.0.
Google confirmed to developers that Lollipop's release day will be November 3rd when the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player go on sale to the public.
It is already known that Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 will be powered by Android Lollipop. In the near future the majority of brands will upgrade and implement this latest android version as well.
The new Lollipop interface is consistent on the variety of devices with different screen sizes including smart TVs. 51Degrees recognised some time ago the importance of bigger screens and has been constantly updating its database.
This approach raises the issue about the significance of website optimisation. If you have your own site, you need to make sure that information you want to send to the reader is displayed appropriately, no matter how large or small the screen is.
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