Android L is the first major update of Google’s mobile operating system since Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Android version that was introduced on October 19, 2011. The new version of Android is simpler, more intuitive and universal, regardless of what device you use. Android L makes more use of 3D effects and shadows, has a new keyboard, new speed settings and a ‘do not disturb feature. Google calls the new design “material design” and gives Gmail as an example. The app looks sleeker, has a new font, better animations, icons and overall works smoother than before.

Android L knows more seamless transitions between apps and windows and link colours in the system images on your phone or photos that you view on the web. There’s lot more to know about the new Android version. So, read on and find out what you do not know already about Android L; the future of mobile operating systems.

New Nifty features in Android L:

Below we have the most important new features of Android L put together in a list for you:

Design

• A simpler, more intuitive and universal design, no matter what device you use
• Transitions between apps and windows are seamless.
• System default apps have received new fonts and looks. They look pretty good and work smoother than before

Interface

• Notifications hover over image and are displayed on the lock screen. They are easy to ignore or follow
• Notifications are cleverly arranged so that you can see messages that are most important to you
• A ‘do not disturb’ feature lets you limit notifications
• A new, smarter and easy to use keyboard

Under the hood

• Android L now works on a 64 bit compiler which means better performance than before
• Thanks to Android Extension Pack graphics (e.g. games) get a boost
• Volta project makes Android more energy efficient than ever, so your battery life improves considerably. You can see exactly which app eats up the battery and can take immediate action
• Improved system security
• There is a “kill switch” built in, so if you lost phone or if it’s stolen then Android device can be remotely erased
• Android lets you decide which apps get access to what information (e.g. your location history)

The redesign of Android L

The operating system is not only focused on smartphones and tablets, but also other devices such as wearables. Therefore it had to be responsive and adaptable to any screen size. That is certainly the case with L and moreover what is striking about the new design is that it’s a lot simpler and has a more colourful look. The back, home and multitasking buttons are refreshed, making them look more pleasing to eyes.

Further striking features of Android L are the smoothest and seamless transitions between apps and windows. There are more newly added animations, new logos and fonts that looks nicer. Every Google app also has a unique color, so you can distinguish them easily.

Finally, there are nice 3D effects and shadows to see, giving the system a fresh look. You can think of messages in your mailbox or notifications that are shown in boxes that smoothly expand and jump forward when you tap it. That degree of fluency is also seen in other parts of Android L, such as phone app, music player and Google Maps. Everything runs smoothly at 60 frames per second and there are no more noticeable hitches.

Notifications are clearer than ever

Whether you are in an app or in any of the home screens, from any part of Android L new notifications appear with a nice animation on top of the screen.

Take your Android device from standby mode, you will see all the notifications staggered.  They are also arranged in a logical manner, so you’ll see the notifications that are relevant to you. Think of missed calls, calendar appointments that are coming out and new emails and WhatsApp messages. The operating system uses a special algorithm that analyses notifications and arranges them for you.

Before going to sleep, you can easily turn the new “do not disturb feature. This limit your notifications, so you are not woken up by a nightly tweet or WhatsApp.

All Google apps with a new look

Overall, Android has gained more animations; so there is a ripple effect displayed when you touch the screen. The Phone app has been updated and better than ever.

Gmail also has a big lick of paint received, a new font, beautiful animations and improved icons.

The new keyboard in the next Android version is smarter and prettier. It is light and clear, thanks to the increased space between letters which makes easy to type.

Google Hangouts is dramatically improved, though it is still not 100 percent sure if the screenshots below relate to the final version of the chat app but still it looks much better than before.

The settings window probably has a dark and black theme and looks slightly more pretty. The same is true for the Android buttons below.

Google Maps, Play Music and Calendar

Google Maps, Play Music and Calendar meet the “material design ‘principle that L introduces. At first glance, things have not changed very much, but still there are many beautiful animations and effects added. Also, the interface has become simpler.

Google Drive, Books and Chrome

Screenshots below show how Google Drive, Books and Chrome, respectively, are going to see in Android L looks like: simpler and more playful, yet sleek.

Android L is 64-bit and energy efficient

Android goes full 64-bit, allowing OS to be more effecient. Playing games on your android mobile device is thus more attractive than ever.

Thanks to Project Volta, Android is now much more energy efficient, so you will notice improved battery life. You can see exactly which app eats your batter thus you can take action immediately.

Improved security in Android L

Good to know that Android L takes a lot of steps in the field of security and malware protection. This new version of much more secured and protected than the previous one.

Finally parts of Samsung’s security suite KNOX will be integrated into Android L, allowing business users and IT administrators to safely use and store data. According to Samsung KNOX meets the growing demand for secure and flexible mobile platform. The security suite encrypts data and specially developed applications within the KNOX-container, which you can use.

Android in the car

With Android L, Android Auto,  a new system is unveiled which is designed specifically for your car that connects with your smartphone. Android Auto automatically displays useful information and arranges them on simple cards that are displayed when needed. All apps – including Maps, Pandora and Spotify – run on your Android device, so they can be updated more quickly. Moreover, there is an SDK available so developers can get to work with the system.

Google Maps is the most important element in Android car and everything inside the navigation works with voice control.

Also received messages can be read. You can respond to a message, using the command “reply” to and your voice message is sent. Voice control is thus comparable to that of Android Wear .