On 25 June 2014, at a conference in San Francisco, Google revealed the beta version of the next Android update, Android L. The beta version is currently available to certain Nexus devices but will roll out globally during the later part of this year 2014.
Evidently, after months of miniscule updates and the rising demand from Android users for better software spurted Google into making a big change. Hence, we have the Android 5.0 update.
5 Reasons to Upgrade to Android L
While it is still in beta, you can check out its features and see how awesome it would be to upgrade to Android L. Here you go.
1. Better Notifications Visibility
Google has improved the notifications visibility in Android. Currently, you have to pull down the screen to see notifications, but with the upgrade to Android L, the notifications will be right there on the screen and within the applications. This feature is good since it makes use of the empty space seen on the lock screen. If the notifications within apps seem too much, you can turn off the feature. The lock screen notifications will display phone calls, messages and calendar events, including pop-up notifications.
2. Material Design
One of the attractive features of Android L is its new interface, the ‘Material Design’. You can watch the YouTube video to know more.
The new interface looks beautiful, fluid and focused. If you are a loyal Android user, you will surely appreciate the upgrade.
3. Focus on Battery Life
As an Android user, you will agree that unexpected drainage of device battery has been a sore point over the last couple of years. Well, the developers of Android L have made certain important changes to improve battery life and performance.
To begin with, there are predictive battery meters which, as the name says, will ‘predict’ when the device exhausts all its battery life. It will also show, in much detail, all the resources consuming battery life. Secondly, they revealed Project Volta which is all about maximizing the performance of the battery. According to this, the CPU’s clock will be slowed down, the apps working in the background will consume fewer resources, and the refresh rate on the screen will be limited.
4. Seamless History Access
Currently, you have to flip back and forth to access web usage history. This is sometimes annoying and therefore, as shown in the image, the Android L developers have introduced a Rolodex-style history saver which lets you access any app, page, image or document seamlessly by just tapping on the screen.
5. Intuitive Unlocking
This feature is my personal favorite. For an avid Android smartphone user, typing the PIN to gain access is quite cumbersome and annoying, especially when you are in a hurry. Perhaps, sensing the users’ discomfort, the Android L developers have incorporated an intuitive unlocking system where the device intuitively understands your location and circumstances to give access to the device.
For instance, if the device detects your voice or the location of the Bluetooth, you can unlock the device just by swiping. However, if the device is unsure of your location or doesn’t consider it ‘safe’, you have to enter the PIN to gain access.
End Note
I am sure every one of you reading this article found the Android L features interesting and intriguing. You must be itching to upgrade to Android L but wait for few more months. These features are just a tip of the iceberg!
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