Yesterday Android Lollipop was finally announced at the same time as the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9. A new version of Android is coming with the premise of synchronizing all our Android devices so that when we go from one to the other we can replay exactly a song where we left it or continue to see the new photographs our son had taken.
Some pleasant news that focus on Material Design for take the visual aspect of the Android user interface to another level, apart from accounts for multiple users on phones, data encryption by default or even the support for the 64-bit architecture that we will see in the new Nexus 9 from HTC. Below is all the detailed information about Android Lollipop, the largest version released by Google to date.
Material Design
An colorful and consistent user interface so that the experience across all Android devices is the same. It stands out for:
- New animations, shadows and realistic light with visual elements that will allow navigation easier by device
- New vivid colors, typography and different elements for the user to focus on what is important
Notifications
New ways to control when and how messages are received to be interrupted when you really want to.
- Go and reply to messages directly from the lock screen. Includes the ability to hide "sensitive" content for those same notifications
- For a few exceptions you can activate «priority» mode through the device's volume button so that only certain contacts and notifications can reach the device. It can also be programmed so that messages do not arrive at an already configured time, although notifications with a certain priority can.
- incoming calls will not interrupt viewing or playing on the phone. You can choose to answer a call or follow what is being done.
- Control notifications through apps. Hide "sensitive" content and prioritize or disable app notifications completely
- Smart ranking based on who they are from and how they are communicated. You can see all notifications from the same place by pressing at the top of the screen
Battery
With surprise comes Android L increasing battery of the terminal.
- A new functionality that extends battery life up to 90 minutes
- Estimated time remaining until the end of the charge when the terminal is charging
- An estimated device time before charging is needed again can be found in the power or battery settings
Security
One of the most important features of Android Lollipop in terms of to privacy and security.
- The new devices will arrive with encryption enabled automatically to help protect data on lost or stolen terminals
- SELinux for all applications, which means better protection against all kinds of vulnerabilities and malware
- Android SmartLock to secure the phone or tablet when pairing it with another device such as a wearable or your own car
Sharing the device
May share your phone in another easier way. The multi-account feature was only available for tablets.
- Multiple users for phones. If a user forgets their phone, they can call one of their friends using another Android Lollipop phone. A very interesting option for families who only want to share a phone but not its content.
- Guest User for phones and tablets which allows sharing the phone but not the content
- Pin on the screen to allow another user to access to content without having to go to other places on the phone
New quick settings
With two swipes down these quick settings can be accessed from the top of the phone
- New controls like flashlight, Wi-Fi hotspot creation, screen rotation or streaming cast controls
- Simpler controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and location
- Settings manuals for shine Under some conditions. Automatic brightness based on improved ambient light
Connectivity
An better internet connection and more powerful features for the Bluetooth low energy system.
- Improved network transfers resulting in limited disruption in connectivity. An example is that the video call can be continued or calls under VoIP without any interruption the moment we leave the house and change the internet connection from Wi-Fi to data.
- Improved logical network selection for devices to connect only if there is a verified internet connection on Wi-Fi
- Better energy efficiency when scanning for Bluetooth low energy devices such as wearables
- New peripheral mode BLE
Runtime and performance
Here ART comes into play for a faster, smoother and more powerful system experience
ART, a new Android runtime that improves application performance
- Improvements of up to 4 times in performance
- An improved and faster user interface that enables better applications with more complex visual elements
- Compacting apps and services in the background so more things can be done at once
Support for 64 bit devices like the Nexus 9
- 64-bit chip support using ARM, x86 and MIPS cores
- Distribution of 64-bit native apps like Chrome, Gmail, Calendar, Google Play Music and more
- Pure Java Apps that works like 64-bit apps automatically
Media
Accent graphics and improved audio, video and camera
- Lower audio input latency ensuring that music and communications applications that have requirements that provide an excellent real-time experience
- Multichannel Audio Mixing What It Means professional audio applications that can be mixed with up to eight channels including 5.1 and 7.1 channels
- USB audio support allowing connect USB microphones, speakers and a wide range of USB audio devices such as amplifiers and mixers
- OpenGL ES 3.1 and Android expansion pack that brings the best graphics on a mobile device on par with what are the consoles and computers
A new range of professional features for photography
- Capture frames on your maximum resolution at 30fps
- Support for raw formats like YUV and Bayer RAW
- Settings for the catch control for sensor, lens and flash
- Metadata capture such as noise and optical information models
- HEVC profile support enabling 4K 10-bit UHD video playback, video decoding to save power, and enhanced HLS support
O
Easy access information and productivity tasks
- Even if the screen is off, you can use the voice command «OK Google» on devices that support digital signal processing such as the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9
- Speech to Google in real time to get quick replies, send text, directions and more
Android TV
Device support For the salon
- User interface adapted for the living room
- Personalized recommendations for see all kinds of content like movies or TV series
- Voice search for Google Play, YouTube and supported apps so that you can say that you can see
- Android gaming with a console style on the TV with a joystick
- With G content from favorite apps can be brought to the TV screen for Android TV devices
Accessibility
Enhanced capabilities for reduced vision.
- Improvement of text contrast or inverted colors
- Screen adjustment for improve color differentiation
Now in over 68 languages
- Basque, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese, Galician, Icelandic, Kannada, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonian, Malay, Marathi, Nepali, Sinhala, Tamil, Telugu
Device setup for the first time
- Tap & go: quick configuration of a new Android device with a simple press to synchronize it with the previous Android terminal (requires NFC)
- The moment a new Android phone or tablet starts up, it can be automatically migrated all apps from Google Play from any of the above Android devices
And much more
- Tap & pay: control different payment apps switching between them quickly
- Print preview and page range support
- Improved display for battery, Bluetooth, data usage and Wi-Fi settings and a new search functionality
- New feedback for devices Nexus: Settings> about phone> send feedback
- Improved the sharing method: improved the options ranking via the share menu and Android Beam to share a file with someone close
- By hardware: turn on the device the moment it is taken or by double tapping on the screen
- Improved the support for accessories such as keyboard for emoji input, search key and more