Android L - The new big thing in android world.Google recently announced its upcoming version of the ever growing awesome android OS in the Google I/O 2014.And it codenamed it as android l -Wonder what L will be called when it is released.ha..we indians are fond of our sweet Ladoos hehe...so we vote for ladoo.Jokes apart it will most probably be Lollipop.
Google also released a Developer Preview of the Os for its flagship devices that are the NEXUS 5 and the NEXUS 7.In the developers preview we see a number of UI changes and new feature additions.And as it is not the final release there is going to be much more to come to it later.This developers preview just was for the devs to have an idea about the new design philosophy of google that is "Material Design:".
Now what is Material Design?.Its basically a kind of flatter and cleaner look to the android OS way better and simpler than the Holo look of the ICS till KK.And most amazing thing about it is that you wont be bored to use it since every new window opens with a new animation .It slides out from some side.
Now let us have a look to the UI changes seen in the Android L dev preview.
1)Google Now Launcher:
As you see the the app drawer icon in the google now launcher has been changed to look somewhat shinier and flater.Also the wallpaper ,widget and settings icons have changed .2)Navigation Bar:
3)The Notification Panel:
The notification panel has seen the most drastic change in its look and feel. The color of the notifications was black and also it rested on a translucent panel.Now we have white colored notifications resting on transparent panel.You can do the regular operations like touch to open and swipe left or right to dismiss them.New thing added is that when you pull the notification further you get to see the quick toggles and a brightness control bar.
4)Heads Up Notifications:
This new feature is going to let you do your work and simultaneously reply to an SMS or a whatsapp message or any other IM.Futher more all other notifications will pop down from the top of your screen and show in front of you as shown in the screenshot.
5)Settings UI:
As everything in android L has become somewhat flatter ,even the settings app will be revamped a lot.Now you see everything in plain white and you get end of page feedback in the shadow animation and the top and bottom of the settings page.This I thought looks more like HTC sense Settings at first look but there are new things in it.Also there is addition of new settings .
6)Lockscreen:
The new lockscreen is quite different.Earlier you had to hold the bubble and move it to any direction to unlock your device,but now unlocking is just swiping up the lock icon.There is shortcut to dialer to the left and the camera as earlier to the right.
7)Dialer and Contacts App:
8)Recent Apps:
Recent apps are going to be shown as the google chrome tabs.And new thing is that each instance of the app is going to be shown in the recent apps section.For eg.When you open an app suppose Settings >Display,You will see both the settings main page and the display settings page in the recent apps . Also every single of your google chrome tabs will be seen on the recent apps list.If you have seen the IOS 7 Recent apps feature you would say android l has copied it from them.
9)Google Keyboard:
Google keyboard app also changed its skin.It is now more flat and minimal looking.color has changed and it suits the material design philosophy.
Along with the above mentioned things lot more things are going to change as final Android L will be released.
