Five, Six, Android heaven

Why Android 5.0 and Nexus 6 could redefine Google's famous OS

The next Android update is just days away. According to news updates and some websites that have been tracking the developments on Android Lollipop, an over the air (OTA) update will be available for all Google devices in early November. It should then reach the other Android devices in the coming weeks. Here's a sneak peek into the next version of Andorid, the Lollipop 5.0.

A new material design

There will be a huge change in how the Android operating system looks and behaves. The design will be flattened and more sharp. There will be more animated effects everywhere, in the Contacts or when you scroll up and down a menu and so on.

Notifications and a visual overhaul

Another new feature will be right at the lockscreen. All your notifications will now be a tap away as soon as you wake up the device. They will now appear in the form of cards. The notifications bar has also been revamped, with redesigned Quick Settings. There is also a new Priority Mode - which will allow you to set what notifications will show up. The less important notifications can be hidden away.

Everything from the three function keys to the animations have been changed. The "recent apps" setting has been changed. Instead, apps now appear like a stack of cards. Expect more colours and a much more responsive user interface.

From Dalvik to ART

One of the biggest changes in Android 5.0, will be the shift from Dalvik, the virtual machine in the Android operating system, to Android Runtime (ART), which is said to provide better system performance and be more responsive.

More battery, Project Volta

Initial developer reviews show that Android 5.0 performs better than its predecessor in terms of the battery. The latest version of Android will also come with a battery-saver mode. Another key aspect in Android Lollipop is Project Volta, a battery-saving tool. Project Volta reportedly improves the battery life. Apart from that when the device is plugged in, users will now be able to see the estimated time left before their device is fully charged.

> Nexus 6: The next big thing from Google

Made by Motorola, the Nexus 6 will sport a 5.96-inch screen. If Nexus 5 was the Google phone with a five-inch screen, Nexus 6 can easily be dubbed as a competitor for the big boys around in the market - namely, the iPhone 6 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

From the initial unveiling, the Nexus 6 looks like a pumped up version of the second-generation Moto X, which was launched earlier this year. It has the same dual front-facing speakers design and an almost similar rear camera design, complete with the dual LED ring flash (13 megapixel rear camera, with optical image stabilisation). The Nexus 6 weighs 184g, which is a bit heavier than its predecessor (130g). The battery is also bigger now with a capacity of 3,220 mAh. As far as the design is concerned, the Nexus 6 will come in two colours - Midnight Blue and Cloud White. 

Nexus 6
Display: 5.96" 2,560x1,440 QHD AMOLED display (493 ppi)
Battery: 3,220 mAh
Camera: 13MP rear-facing with optical image stabilisation; 2MP front-facing camera
Processor: 2.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor
GPU: Adreno 420
Memory: 32GB, 64GB