The conference Google I / O on Wednesday was shown the new version of Android, which is the biggest update since the advent of mobile OSes. We figured out that is worth waiting for Android L and closely related update other elements of the ecosystem Google.
1. New look OSes, applications, and Web services: Material Design
Perhaps the greatest announcement I / O 2014 – new “design language” Android and web services Google, which is the largest rethinking OSes appearance since the release of Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich” in 2011. In Google describe Material Design as an attempt to present application interface as if made of paper, but it is able to take on different values ??for height:
This value, by the way, developers will be able to specify in their Android-applications and web versions directly for each element. Thus, the appearance of Android remains in fashion “flat”, but it becomes a full-fledged OSes third dimension.
addition to the” multi-level “elements in the design of Android L realized smooth animations when switching between applications, new ways of working with color and much more. The main thing is that the design change will affect not only Android, but Chrome OS, as well as web services Google – now the whole ecosystem will “speak” to one visual “language”.
Since static images do not represent well the innovations made by Google, here’s a video that demonstrated during yesterday Presentation:
2. Not only smartphones and tablets
Android L developed in Google as a system designed not only for smartphones or tablet PCs. The company plans to capture other market sectors, including wearable devices, cars and televisions. For the first designed Android Wear, for the second – Android Auto, third – Android TV. Details on how Google is going to capture new markets, we have written here.
A look at the life of “brave new world” with the ubiquitous Android will, according to Google, something like this:
3. “Cutout death” and a simplified security
In Google continue to improve the safety of Android – that aspect of the system for which developers traditionally gets the most criticism. According to the creators of Android L, safety should be not only safe, but do not create unnecessary problems to the user. So with the new smartphones OSes, such as can distinguish situations in which they should require a password to unlock, and in what you can do without it. For example, the password does not need to enter if your smartphone “feels” close associated with them “smart” watch with Android Wear – that is, most likely, the device holds the owner. You can also specify a “safe” location in which no password is required.
In addition, Google gathered spoil business voruyuschim smartphones – now appears in the system switch, not allowing to reset the unit to factory settings without entering the password. A similar feature in iOS 7 just a few months have severely reduced the number of thefts of iPhone in the U.S..
4. Project Volta: concern for battery
For quick disbursement charge smartphones with Android scolded just lazy. Therefore, Google decided to develop a number of improvements related to power, under the name Project Volta. One of the functions allow developers to closely monitor expenditure charge their applications, and the other will allow to optimize energy consumption, accounting for all application tasks, grouping them and by doing so, the program to “wake” the device frequently. Finally, the Android L appears normal mode to save battery, Battery Saver, the same has long been realized by manufacturers like Sony and Samsung:
5. Ubiquitous notification
In Android L significantly redesigned user notification system. Previously everything smartphone wants to tell you, except that the caller interface alarm and incoming calls accumulated in “curtain” notifications panel. Now incoming messages, “likes” social networks, etc. will appear directly on the lock screen smartphone or tablet. The system will analyze the user behavior in order to display the first screen on the most important events.
In addition, they will be interactive – twice the rectangle tapnuv notice you can go to the application, and a horizontal swipe – remove it from the screen. To uncover more detailed view of the notification can be done swipe downwards and to unlock the phone – up. Visually panel interface notifications on the lock screen is very similar to Google Now. This, in essence, the same white cards, but more elongated in width.
Additionally, a new type of notifications. Reports of the most important messages, calls and events will appear directly on top of the screen of the currently active application. C they can react – such as answering a call, reject it, or just whisk notice aside, so as not to distract.
6. Changing the “engine” – ART instead Dalvik
In Android L by default will use the new runtime application – ART (Android RunTime), which will replace the existing with the first version OC environment Dalvik. Its advantage is that all the instructions for the application will not compile when you run as before and during installation. This, as well as many other improvements, will allow Android-devices to perform application code much faster:
comparing the performance of different benchmarks under ART and under Dalvik on the Nexus 5
True, this application will take up more space in RAM and non-volatile memory devices and installation time, especially on weak devaysakh increase slightly. But the program will be able to work equally well on ARM-and Intel-devices without special optimization.
7. Tabs Chrome “moved”
In Android L change how the user interacts with the site open in a mobile version of the browser Chrome. They will be available through the main menu system multitasking. The same opportunity will open for third-party applications.
himself while Chrome will issue a new style Material Design. Changes have taken place “under the hood”: now does instantly reacts to pressing and displays smooth animation at 60 frames per second.
8. Best friend – “Chromebooks”
Besides that Chrome OS will gradually penetrate new unified design Google, “laptops browsers” with desktop OSes from the largest search engine will come closer to Android smartphones and other things. For example, “Chromebooks” will automatically log into your account without a password, if “feel” close “friend” smartphone.
Alerts mobile can also be displayed on the computer screen if they are close – like Apple Injects the following versions of OS X and iOS system Continuity. Finally, some Android-applications can be run directly without any problems on “Chromebooks” – during the presentation showed work under Chrome OS Vine and Flipboard:
9. Do not forget about the business user
Corporate customers are yet to Android-devices with caution, preferring proven as more secure iOS. Google wants to change this attitude built into Android L series features borrowed from the system Samsung Knox. The purpose of the innovations – let no problem to share corporate and personal data on the device. It will be called “Android at work”. In addition to Samsung system will support on their devices HTC, Sony, LG and Motorola.
should interest corporate users and what the application package in the Google Docs Android L without additional conversion can directly edit documents Microsoft Office. Finally, the Corporation will be able to get for their needs with unlimited space in the “cloud” Google Drive, paying $ 10 a month for an employee.
10. You can try today
Owners of smartphones and tablets 5 Nexus Nexus 7 (it is unclear whether the included version here in 2012 or last year only tablet, probably the last) will be able to download pre-test version of Android L for their devices as system images today. However, before reinsertion should seriously think – are you ready to put up with certain present in the system until the numerous bugs and flaws. The final version of the same Android L will be available to users “later this year” – a more accurate time reference point in Google do not lead.
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