Android 5.0 L Update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10: Features and Speculated Release

The final version of the Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and other supported devices will be pushed to users later this year. Even though the folks at Google didn’t officially reveal the date when new update will be released to the public, we believe we can make a an estimation based on the company’s previous launches.

In the past couple of years, Google’s strategy involved the release of two major Android updates per year. So far we’ve been able to enjoy a new Android update mid-summer and another one mid-to-late fall. Of course, each incremental Android update have also brought a new Nexus device. The Mountain View-based giant changed their strategy for 2014 and, so far, it looks a bit like Apple’s.

As you may know, Apple announces new iOS versions in the summer at WWDC then makes them available early fall, after a few months of beta testing. The new iOS versions are always released synchronized with the debut of a new iPhone. Google previewed Android L last June, at Google I/O, and made it available for download as Developer Preview for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7. Furthermore, they released an updated Android L Developer Preview build for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 a few days ago. Everybody is expecting Android 5.0 L to be released for the public late-October or early-November, along with the debut of new Nexus hardware.

A few months ago it was rumored that Google is preparing the launch of Android Silver, a new program that will lead to the death of the Nexus family. After a Google employee said that the Nexus line-up will not be discontinued, rumors of new Nexus devices surfaced online. First we heard of a new Nexus tablet. The reports indicated that the said Nexus tablet will sport an 8.9-inch display, 64-bit processor, aluminium body, that it’s manufactured by HTC, and codenamed Volantis. There are rumors of a Nexus 6 smartphone, too. It seems that the smartphone codenamed Shamu is made by Motorola and sports a 5.9-inch screen. Of course, both devices will come pre-loaded with Android 5.0 L.

Each major Android version is named after a dessert and a has a specific version number, depending on the amount of changes and improvements it brings. So what will be the official name of Android L? Well, since it’s the most major update in the Android history (even bigger than the jump from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich) we are sure that it will be labeled Android 5.0. As for the dessert name, most sources seem to indicate that it’s either Lollipop or Licorice.

Putting the name aside, let’s have a look at the Android 5.0 L changes and improvements. The first thing you’ll probably notice about the new update is the Material Design philosophy. The new interface aims to make the whole experience better-looking and friendlier. You’ll also be able to notice that Android 5.0 L has more colors, more animations, while the 3D effects and shadows make everything more intuitive. Furthermore, the system performance will be improved after it has received support for 64-bit processing and the new ART runtime replaced the obsolete Dalvik.

Changes have been performed in the Android 5.0 L notifications and lock screen compartments, too. You will now be able to see and interact with your notifications right on the lock screen. The good news is that Google found a clever way to sort them and prioritize those you interact with more frequently. The notifications bar has received a new color scheme and the Quick Settings button is gone. Fortunately, the Quick Settings menu is still there, but it now lives one swipe away from the notifications bar. To get to Quick Settings you will have to swipe down once to open Notifications, then swipe once more to get to the toggles. Here, you will find shortcuts for WiFi, Mobile Network, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, Do Not Disturb, Sound Rotation Lock, and Location. “Auto Brightness” has been changed to “Adaptive Brightness.” The main Settings menu now allows users to search for particular options using a search bar.

The status bar behaves different in Android 5.0 L. If you got to play around with Android L Developer Preview you probably noticed that the status bar is still transparent in lock screen and home screen, but that it’s capable of changing its color to match the action bar when a new app is opened. Anyway, the status bar will only change its color for the apps that have the new feature implemented, so the developers will have to change their apps to bring a unified visual experience.

In my opinion, one of the best new features of Android 5.0 L is the multitasking, which has received a card-based interface. The recent apps are stacked one over another in a similar way with Chrome’s recent tabs. The new multitasking allows apps to display more than one card. For example, Chrome can show one multitasking card for each opened tab.

As usual, the Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 will be the first to see the light of day. Next in line will most likely be the devices belonging to the Google Play experience tribe, followed shortly after by Motorola’s smartphones. HTC and OnePlus already announced they will be bringing Android 5.0 L to some of their supported devices within 90 days after Google sends in the final code. Other big Android OEMs such as Samsung, LG, and Sony will most likely push the new update to users late 2014 or early 2015.

What is your favorite Android 5.0 L feature? Do you enjoy the looks of the new Android iteration? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below.