Android 5

Android 5.0 Lollipop is the fifth major version of the Android operating system. It was first released as a developer preview on October 31, 2014, with the official consumer release following on November 12, 2014. Android 5.0 introduced a number of significant new features and improvements over its predecessors, making it a landmark release in the history of Android.

Overview

Android 5.0 Lollipop brought a major design overhaul with the introduction of Material Design, a design language that aimed to unify the look and feel of the platform across devices. This version also significantly improved the user experience with its performance enhancements and added functionality.

Features

Material Design

The most noticeable change in Android 5.0 is the introduction of Material Design, which presents a cleaner, more colorful look with natural motion principles applied to touch feedback and transitions between tasks.

Notifications

Lollipop improved the way users interact with notifications, allowing them to be accessed from the lock screen and displayed within other apps as banners at the top of the screen. This version also introduced the "Priority" mode, which lets users limit interruptions from notifications except for those from specified contacts or apps.

Security

Enhancements in security included the introduction of Android Smart Lock, which allows users to secure their device in new ways, such as pairing it with a trusted device like a wearable or car.

Runtime and Performance

Android 5.0 made the switch from Dalvik runtime to Android Runtime (ART), which compiles apps ahead-of-time rather than at runtime, improving app performance and reducing battery consumption.

Battery Saver

A new battery saver feature was introduced, which reduces the device's performance and background data usage to extend battery life when it's running low.

Reception

Android 5.0 Lollipop was generally well-received, with praise particularly directed at its new design and improved user experience. However, it also faced criticism for some initial bugs and battery life issues.

Updates and Support

Following its initial release, Android 5.0 received several updates to fix bugs and improve performance and security. The most notable of these updates were Android 5.1 and Android 5.1.1, which were released in March and April 2015, respectively.

See Also

• Android version history
• Google Nexus
• Material Design