Android Lollipop Explained

Android Lollipop
Version Of:Android
Logo Size:100px
Screenshot Size:250px
Developer:Google
Discontinued:yes
Ga Date:[1]
Release Version:5.1.1_r38 (LMY49M)[2]
Release Date:[3]
Kernel Type:Monolithic (Linux)
Preceded By:Android 4.4.4 "KitKat"
Succeeded By:Android 6.0 "Marshmallow"
Support Status:Unsupported as of March 2018, Google Play Services support dropped since July 2024

Android Lollipop (codenamed Android L during development) is the fifth major version of the Android mobile operating system developed by Google and the 12th version of Android, spanning versions between 5.0 and 5.1.1.[4]

Unveiled on June 25, 2014 at the Google I/O 2014 conference, it became available through official over-the-air (OTA) updates on November 12, 2014, for select devices that run distributions of Android serviced by Google (such as Nexus and Google Play edition devices). Its source code was made available on November 3, 2014. The first phone with Android Lollipop was the Nexus 6.

One of the most prominent changes in the Lollipop release is a redesigned user interface built around a design language known as Material Design, which was made to retain a paper-like feel to the interface. Other changes include improvements to the notifications, which can be accessed from the lockscreen and displayed within applications as top-of-the-screen banners. Google also made internal changes to the platform, with the Android Runtime (ART) officially replacing Dalvik for improved application performance, and with changes intended to improve and optimize battery usage.

As of December 2022, 1.21% devices run Lollipop 5.1 (API 22).[5] However, this figure is misleading, as on tablets Android 5.1 is much more popular than it is on phones, being ranked 6th of all Android versions at 5.79% as of November 2023.[6] Google Play Services support for Lollipop ended in July 2024.[7]

Development

The release was internally codenamed "Lemon Meringue Pie".[8] Android 5.0 was first unveiled under the codename "Android L" on June 25, 2014 during a keynote presentation at the Google I/O developers' conference. Alongside Lollipop, the presentation focused on a number of new Android-oriented platforms and technologies, including Android TV, in-car platform Android Auto, wearable computing platform Android Wear, and health tracking platform Google Fit.[9]

Part of the presentation was dedicated to a new cross-platform design language referred to as "material design". Expanding upon the "card" motifs first seen in Google Now, it is a design with increased use of grid-based layouts, responsive animations and transitions, padding, and depth effects such as lighting and shadows. Designer Matías Duarte explained that "unlike real paper, our digital material can expand and reform intelligently. Material has physical surfaces and edges. Seams and shadows provide meaning about what you can touch." The material design language would not only be used on Android, but across Google's suite of web software as well, providing a consistent experience across all platforms.[10] [11] [12] [13]

Features

Android 5.0 introduces a refreshed notification system. Individual notifications are now displayed on cards to adhere to the material design language, and batches of notifications can be grouped by the app that produced them. Notifications are now displayed on the lock screen as cards, and "heads up" notifications can also be displayed as large banners across the top of the screen, along with their respective action buttons.[11] [14] A do-not-disturb feature is also added for notifications. The recent apps menu was redesigned to use a three-dimensional stack of cards to represent open apps. Individual apps can also display multiple cards in the recents menu, such as for a web browser's open tabs.[11] [13] Upon the release of this version, for most Android devices, the navigation buttons were completely changed from a left arrow, a house, and two squares, to a left triangle, a circle and a square.

Lollipop also contains major new platform features for developers, with over 5,000 new APIs added for use by applications.[15] [16] For example, there is the possibility to save photos in a raw image format.[17] Additionally, the Dalvik virtual machine was officially replaced by Android Runtime (ART), which is a new runtime environment that was introduced as a technology preview in KitKat.[18] ART is a cross-platform runtime which supports the x86, ARM, and MIPS architectures in both 32-bit and 64-bit environments. Unlike Dalvik, which uses just-in-time compilation (JIT), ART compiles apps upon installation, which are then run exclusively from the compiled version from then on. This technique removes the processing overhead associated with the JIT process, improving system performance.[19]

Lollipop also aimed to improve battery consumption through a series of optimizations known as "Project Volta". Among its changes are a new battery saver mode, job-scheduling APIs which can restrict certain tasks to only occur over Wi-Fi, and batching of tasks to reduce the overall amount of time that internal radios are active on. The new developer tool called "Battery Historian" can be used for tracking battery consumption by apps while in use.[9] [11] The Android Extension Pack APIs also provide graphics functions such as new shaders, aiming to provide PC-level graphics for 3D games on Android devices.[20] [21]

A number of system-level, enterprise-oriented features were also introduced under the banner "Android for Work". The Samsung Knox security framework was initially planned to be used as a foundation for "Android for Work", but instead Google opted to use its own technology for segregating personal and work-oriented data on a device, along with the accompanying APIs for managing the environment.[22] With the "Smart Lock" feature, devices can also be configured so users do not have to perform device unlocking with a PIN or pattern when being on a trusted location, or in proximity of a designated Bluetooth device or NFC tag.[23] [24] [25] Lollipop was, additionally, to have device encryption enabled by default on all capable devices; however, due to performance issues, this change was held over to its successor, Android Marshmallow.[26]

Release

A developer preview of Android L, build LPV79,[27] was released for the Nexus 5 and 2013 Nexus 7 on June 26, 2014 in the form of flashable images. Source code for GPL-licensed components of the developer preview was released via Android Open Source Project (AOSP) in July 2014.[28] [29] A second developer preview build, LPV81C, was released on August 7, 2014, alongside the beta version of the Google Fit platform and SDK. As with the previous build, the second developer preview build is available only for the Nexus 5 and 2013 Nexus 7.[30]

On October 15, 2014, Google officially announced that Android L would be known as Android 5.0 "Lollipop". The company also unveiled launch devices for Android5.0including Motorola's Nexus 6 and HTC's Nexus 9for release on November 3, 2014.[31] Google stated that Nexus (including the Nexus 4, 5, 7, and 10) and Google Play edition devices would receive updates to Lollipop "in the coming weeks"; one more developer preview build for Nexus devices and the new SDK revision for application developers would be released on October 17, 2014. Update schedules for third-party Android devices may vary by manufacturer.[32] [33]

The full source code of Android5.0 was pushed to AOSP on November 3, 2014, allowing developers and OEMs to begin producing their own builds of the operating system.[34] On December 2, 2014, factory images for Nexus smartphones and tablets were updated to the 5.0.1 version, which introduces a few bug fixes,[35] and a serious bug that affected Nexus 4 devices and prevented the audio from working during phone calls.[36] A device-specific Lollipop 5.0.2 (LRX22G) version was released for the first-generation Nexus 7 on December 19, 2014.[37]

Android5.1, an updated version of Lollipop, was unveiled in February 2015 as part of the Indonesian launch of Android One, and is preloaded on Android One devices sold in Indonesia and the Philippines. Google officially announced 5.1 by releasing updates for existing devices on March 9, 2015.[38] [39]

In 2015, Amazon.com forked Lollipop to produce Fire OS 5 "Bellini" for Amazon's Fire HD-series devices.[40] [41] [42]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Refs/Tags/Android-5.0.0_r1 - platform/System/Core - Git at Google. 2021-05-28. 2024-01-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20240114134715/https://android.googlesource.com/platform/system/core/+/refs/tags/android-5.0.0_r1. live.
  2. Web site: Android Source. Google Git. en. 2018-04-15. 2016-11-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20161126030722/https://android.googlesource.com/platform/build/+/android-5.1.1_r38. live.
  3. Web site: Codenames, Tags, and Build Numbers. 2021-05-28. 2020-11-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124122032/https://source.android.com/setup/start/build-numbers. live.
  4. Web site: Android 5.1.1 (LMY47V) hits AOSP [CHANGELOG]]. phandroid.com. 21 April 2015. June 21, 2015. 28 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150428075015/http://phandroid.com/2015/04/21/android-5-1-1-lmy47v-aosp-changelog-nexus-player-factory-images/. live.
  5. Web site: Mobile & Tablet Android Version Market Share Worldwide . 2023-12-06 . StatCounter Global Stats . en . 2023-12-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180350/https://gs.statcounter.com/android-version-market-share/mobile-tablet/worldwide/2022 . live .
  6. Web site: Tablet Android Version Market Share Worldwide . 2023-12-06 . StatCounter Global Stats . en . 2022-05-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220508143552/https://gs.statcounter.com/android-version-market-share/tablet/worldwide/ . live .
  7. Web site: Li . Abner . 2024-07-11 . Google Play services updates for Android Lollipop end . 2024-07-12 . . en-US.
  8. Web site: "LMP" - Lemon Meringue Pie - Looking More And More Likely As The Official Name For Android L . Android Police . 2014-08-23 . 2017-06-23 . 2017-09-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170907170600/http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/08/23/lmp-lemon-meringue-pie-looking-more-and-more-likely-as-the-official-name-for-android-l/ . live .
  9. News: From Android L to Google Fit: All the new products and features from Google I/O . PC World . June 26, 2014 . June 26, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140626183451/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2367746/from-android-l-to-google-fit-all-the-announcements-from-google-i/from-android-l-to-google-fit-all-t.html . dead .
  10. Web site: Google's new 'Material Design' UI coming to Android, Chrome OS and the web. Engadget. June 26, 2014. August 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816150431/https://www.engadget.com/2014/06/25/googles-new-design-language-is-called-material-design/. live.
  11. Web site: Google Reveals Details About Android L at Google IO. Anandtech. June 26, 2014. June 28, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140628013652/http://anandtech.com/show/8207/google-reveals-details-about-android-l-at-google-io. live.
  12. Web site: Google's New, Improved Android Will Deliver A Unified Design Language. Co.Design. 25 June 2014. June 26, 2014. 29 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140729070030/http://www.fastcodesign.com/3032378/googles-new-improved-android-will-deliver-a-unified-design-language. live.
  13. Web site: We just played with Android's L Developer Preview. Engadget. AOL. June 26, 2014. June 26, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140626162710/http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/26/android-developer-preview-hands-on/. live.
  14. Web site: Smith. Chris. Android L's heads up notifications feature arrives early through third-party app. Tech Radar. Future plc. August 6, 2014. August 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140808042129/http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-l-s-heads-up-notifications-feature-arrives-early-through-third-party-app-1256115. live.
  15. Web site: Mayton. Joseph. Android L, LG G Watch, update issue and what reviewers are saying. Tech Times. 8 July 2014. August 5, 2014. 9 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140809220216/http://www.techtimes.com/articles/9881/20140708/android-wear-watch-l-and-what-reviewers-are-saying.htm. live.
  16. Web site: Haselton. Todd. Android L Developer Preview Unveiled With Major Changes. Techno Buffalo. August 5, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140811010520/http://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/06/25/android-l-developer-preview/. August 11, 2014. dead.
  17. Web site: How Android 5.0 lets you get raw for better photos. Stephen Shankland. 2014-12-19. 2015-01-12. CNET. 2015-01-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20150112174739/http://www.cnet.com/news/android-lollipop-opens-high-end-photography-options/. live.
  18. Web site: 'ART' experiment in Android KitKat improves battery life and speeds up apps. Engadget. June 26, 2014. January 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170127122851/https://www.engadget.com/2013/11/06/new-android-runtime-could-improve-battery-life/. live.
  19. Web site: A Closer Look at Android RunTime (ART) in Android L . July 1, 2014 . July 5, 2014 . Andrei Frumusanu . AnandTech . July 5, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140705022457/http://anandtech.com/show/8231/a-closer-look-at-android-runtime-art-in-android-l . live .
  20. Web site: Google's next big Android redesign is coming in the fall. The Verge. 25 June 2014. Vox Media. June 26, 2014. 26 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140626064437/http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/25/5841302/google-announces-the-next-android. live.
  21. Web site: Android's next release will include GPU-focused tech for PC quality graphics. Polygon. 25 June 2014. Vox Media. June 26, 2014. 14 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714213808/http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/25/5842246/android-gpu-extension-pack-pc-graphics. live.
  22. Web site: Google Expands Its "Android for Work" Efforts in Bid to Get More Businesses Using Its Phones . February 25, 2015 . April 2, 2015 . Ina Fried . recode.net . April 2, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402054744/http://recode.net/2015/02/25/google-expands-its-android-for-work-efforts-in-bid-to-get-more-businesses-using-its-phones/ . live .
  23. News: Google I/O: Android L Sneak Peek Reveals 'Material Design,' Personal Unlocking and More . Wall Street Journal . 25 June 2014 . June 26, 2014 . Rothman . Wilson . 27 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627170101/http://blogs.wsj.com/personal-technology/2014/06/25/android-l-sneak-peek-reveals-material-design-personal-unlocking-and-more/ . live .
  24. Web site: How to set up Smart Lock on Android 5.0 Lollipop. CNET. 2 July 2015. 29 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150629105351/http://www.cnet.com/how-to/smart-lock-android-5-0-lollipop/. live.
  25. Web site: With Android L, Google makes pitch for enterprise users . Computerworld . 25 June 2014 . IDG . June 26, 2014 . 28 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140628025216/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9249381/With_Android_L_Google_makes_pitch_for_enterprise_users_ . live .
  26. Web site: Google makes full-disk encryption and secure boot mandatory for some Android 6.0 devices. IT World. 20 October 2015. IDG. 20 October 2015. 28 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328081113/https://www.itworld.com/article/2995437/google-makes-full-disk-encryption-and-secure-boot-mandatory-for-some-android-60-devices.html. dead.
  27. Web site: Cory Gunther . New Android L Update Arrives for Nexus Users . gottabemobile.com . August 7, 2014 . August 9, 2014 . August 28, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140828075757/http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/08/07/new-android-l-update-arrives-for-nexus-users/ . live .
  28. Web site: Google releases Android L preview source for Nexus devices. ZDNet. CBS Interactive. July 2, 2014. August 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140807173956/http://www.zdnet.com/google-releases-android-l-preview-source-for-nexus-devices-7000031153/. live.
  29. GPL projects for the l-preview release . Bill . Yi . android-building . July 2, 2014 . August 19, 2014 . January 22, 2011 . http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20110122130054/https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/android-building/R50i6JktFtI . live .
  30. Web site: Google just released some hot new images of Android L – here's how you can get them. BGR.com. 7 August 2014. PMC. August 16, 2014. 11 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140811023100/http://bgr.com/2014/08/07/google-android-l-images/. live.
  31. Web site: Android: Be together. Not the same. . Official Google Blog . October 15, 2014 . October 23, 2014 . October 16, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141016211356/http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/android-be-together-not-same.html . live .
  32. Web site: When and where to get Android 5.0 Lollipop. CNET. CBS Interactive. October 16, 2014. October 15, 2014. October 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141016053323/http://www.cnet.com/how-to/android-5-0-lollipop-update-list/. live.
  33. Web site: Updated Android Lollipop Developer Preview image coming to Nexus devices in a couple of days. PhoneArena. October 16, 2014. October 18, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141018090820/http://www.phonearena.com/news/Updated-Android-Lollipop-Developer-Preview-image-coming-to-Nexus-devices-in-a-couple-of-days_id61780. live.
  34. Web site: Android Lollipop hits AOSP; HTC sets the upgrade pace. SlashGear. 4 November 2014. 24 December 2014. 24 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224083829/http://www.slashgear.com/android-lollipop-hits-aosp-htc-sets-the-upgrade-pace-03353739/. live.
  35. Web site: Google quietly pushes out Android Lollipop 5.0.1 images. ZDNet. December 6, 2014. December 5, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141205124356/http://www.zdnet.com/article/google-quietly-pushes-out-android-lollipop-5-0-1-images/. live.
  36. Web site: Nexus 4, lollipop 5.0.1: dialer calls audio does not work. code.google.com. December 18, 2014. December 31, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141231142824/https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=82949. live.
  37. Web site: Android 5.0.2 LRX22G Factory Image for Nexus 7 (WiFi) Randomly Shows Up. December 21, 2014. December 22, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141222045212/http://www.droid-life.com/2014/12/19/android-5-0-2-lrx22g-factory-image-for-nexus-7-wifi-randomly-shows-up/. live.
  38. Web site: Google officially announces Android 5.1 . Ars Technica . 9 March 2015 . March 10, 2015 . 9 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150309221640/http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/03/google-officially-announces-android-5-1/ . live .
  39. Web site: Official Android Blog: Android 5.1: Unwrapping a new Lollipop update . Official Android Blog . March 10, 2015 . March 9, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150309233023/http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/2015/03/android-51-unwrapping-new-lollipop.html . live .
  40. Web site: What's new in Amazon Fire OS 5 Bellini?. Pocket-lint. 17 September 2015. January 28, 2016. 13 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160513061757/http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/135336-what-s-new-in-amazon-fire-os-5-bellini. live.
  41. Web site: Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet a rare misfire for company. Fortune. January 28, 2016. February 6, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160206150720/http://fortune.com/2015/09/29/amazon-10-tablet-review/. live.
  42. Web site: Feature-stuffed Fire OS update makes Amazon's tablets even more kid-friendly. PC World. January 28, 2016. February 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205072350/http://www.pcworld.com/article/3011171/tablets/feature-stuffed-fire-os-update-makes-amazons-tablets-even-more-kid-friendly.html. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Android Lollipop".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.