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Android 5.0 (Lollipop) early thoughts

 Google releases one of the cleanest looking UIs to date. But is it really as good as it seems?


Google Description
“Welcome to Android 5.0 Lollipop—the largest and most ambitious release for Android yet!

This release is packed with new features for users and thousands of new APIs for developers. It extends Android even further, from phones, tablets, and wearables, to TVs and cars.” – Google





What is it?
Android 5.0 is the biggest overhaul to the Android Operating system since the jump from android 2.3 (Gingerbread) to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

Key Features:
·         Android Runtime (ART) – This replaces the aging Dalvik runtime.
·         Notifications – The way you receive notifications in Android 5.0 is now slightly different yet it feels natural.   
·         Material Design – The first thing you will notice about Android 5.0 is the Overhauled UI, dubbed as Material Design. It features a Flat paper like design but uses shadows and animation to make everything pop. Unlike previous versions of android (HoneyComb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, & Kit Kat) Lollipop ditches the dark Holo theme and, uses a colorful light theme.
·         Improved performance and battery life
·         Device sharing
·         Quick device setup via NFC

What’s Hot?

  • Material Design
  • System optimization and performance
  • Power saver mode
  • Quick setup
  • New Notification system
  • Battery life
  • Ability to Screen Capture w/o Root (Via App) 

What’s Not?
-          The Hang up button is too small
-          User profile doesn’t sync properly with google account
-          Google Still didn’t make the Google Now Launcher the default launcher for Nexus Devices prior to the Nexus 7 (2013)

Final Thoughts
In the end I am really satisfied with the updates that were made to the Android platform. It’s crazy how refreshing Lollipop feels on older devices like the 2012 Nexus 7, and the Nexus 4. Actually my nexus 4 w/ Android 5.0 performed better that my Nexus 5 on 4.4.4 (Kit Kat). That’s a testament to how well the OS was made.  Battery Life was another shocker for me as well. Normally on my Nexus 4 I would get around 6 hours w/ light to moderate use. After pushing the update I got about 10+ hours w/ light to moderate use.

Rating:
Android 5.0 is easily a HIT in my opinion.

For more information on Android 5.0 check out Android | Stay Tuned
If you have any questions leave a comment or shoot me a message


  

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