Android 5 is a new version of the popular operating system released in 2014 for all kinds of devices. The main changes were the transition to a new user interface and system optimization.
Material Design
In previous versions of the android system, there was no clear design standard. Because of this, the device developers made it themselves, which did not always lead to good results. The difference in the quality of the interface was very big. In order to fix this problem and make the appearance of all android devices close to each other, the Holo interface was developed. It was shipped in android version 4 and could be customized by device manufacturers. However, the capabilities of this interface were still lacking.
After refining the very concept of Holo, Google has developed a new concept called Material Design. It is based on the idea that flat design doesn't have to be flat. This self-contradictory idea looks very good in practice. The system uses flat objects and shadows. The resulting interface is larger than Holo. This gave developers more freedom to create their own interface while keeping it consistent. In addition, judging by user reviews, Lollipop turned out to be more productive than its predecessors.
Design changes
Lock screen
Google has added more features to the lock screen of its devices. Now all notifications will be shown on it, although this function can be limited or completely disabled in the security settings. Also, now some settings can be changed without unlocking the device (turning off wi-fi, changing the brightness). In addition to quick access to notifications and settings, you can now quickly open the camera and phone of the device.
Change of users
For those who use one tablet with the whole family or even have installed an android on their computer, a change of users is provided. At the same time, the administrator (owner) account cannot fully manage other people's accounts.
Animation
In android lollipop, application icons and animations have been completely changed. So, all applications got a shadow in the background, and flipping smoother animations.
List of applications
Even such a thing as the list of apps has been affected by the redesign. Now all applications are displayed on a contrasting background, making it easier for the user to find the desired program.
Notification panel
Unlike previous versions of android, in Lolipop, the notification bar received a transparent interface. However, the quick settings panel still covers part of the screen with an opaque background in order to improve contrast. This is especially useful if the phone screen is difficult to see.
Settings panel
The phone settings have not received something radically new. In lolipop, the groups of settings are separated from each other by a small gap, otherwise it is the same familiar list. However, the new android still received a couple of new features. From this version, smartphones support the contactless payment system. It is also now possible to turn off notifications for individual applications.
release date
Most of the devices on which Android version 4 was installed will be able to upgrade to the updated system. They will do this automatically until December 2014. New Android 5 devices will start shipping in early 2015.
