Android L finally got a proper name in the form of Lollipop, the latest addition to Google's growing collection of sweets and desserts that signify Android - the open-source operating system for smartphones, tablets and wearables. With Android 5.0 Lollipop not only did Google introduce the gorgeous new Material Design UI - which, by the way, actually does wonders on the Android aesthetics front - but also a slew of new features. As with any major OS release, the biggest question with Android Lollipop also remains as to when you can get it on your device for actual use. Well, some reliable sources say that the Nexus 7 (both 2012 and 2013-Wi-Fi variants) and the Nexus 10 will be getting Android Lollipop as early as November 3rd this year.
There's a famous little spot outside the Android Team's headquarters that hosts the various statues of Android mascots through the generations. To mark the unveiling of Android 5.0 Lollipop, the mascot is back once again and grinning from ear to ear, which isn't surprising given that he's holding a lollipop larger than his body.
Earlier on this year, there was much talk of Google making the jump from Android 4.2.x Jelly Bean to version 5.0, named Android Key Lime Pie. But soon after, it was revealed that there would be a stop-gap in the form of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and thus, the blogosphere has focused its attentions towards this rather incremental release. With the search giant now having begun rolling 4.3 out to a number of stock Android smartphones and tablets, the Key Lime Pie patrol has resumed once again, and over on Google’s Chromium bug tracker, what looks to be a bug report of an unknown, future build has manifested.
When it comes to Android smartphones, only the Samsung Galaxy S range can stake a claim to being more keenly sought than a new Nexus handset, and while talk of an LG-manufactured Nexus 5 has been rife for a good while now, a Korean site claims the device will arrive in October. Notably, the Nexus 5 will run on Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, and with a high-end spec list to match, could be a killer device to challenge the collaborative effort from Motorola and Google.
Siri was introduced as one of iPhone 4S’ three major features late last year. As many of you will already know, it is a personal assistant living inside your iPhone that lets you do things like sending texts/emails, setting up reminders/appointments, starting timers, getting directions to local restaurants, shopping malls etc. etc. using the power of your voice. Now, while Microsoft is satisfied with its “TellMe” system on Windows Phone 7, Google is reportedly looking into a personal assistant for Android 5.0 Jelly Bean.
It would seem that the freight train that is the Android mobile operating system is continuing to steam through the mobile industry with Google's Senior Vice President of Mobile and Digital Content, Andy Rubin, announcing that the OS is receiving over 850,000 activations per day which represents a rise of over 250 percent since last year. It has to be said that these are pretty impressive statistics considering there is only one device currently being sold which comes pre-installed with the latest Android 4.0 OS, Ice Cream Sandwich. Even more so, when you consider that only approximately one percent of Android devices in existence run Ice Cream Sandwich.
No More Content