10 reasons Android 5.0 Lollipop is so special

Google has finally unveiled their new Nexus devices and simultaneously lifted the veil that has been hanging over the next version of Android since March of this year. Android Lollipop still hasn’t been officially released, but the latest pre-release version shows us a nearly complete version of the latest Android updates. We have it installed on our Nexus 5 and will show you today some of the major features and design changes.

10 special features in Android 5.0 Lollipop. 

Before we get going, we need to be clear: we are referring to the preview version of Android 5.0 on the Nexus 5 and some features may still change when the final version is released. However, we do know that Android 5.0 is going to be one of the largest and most comprehensive updates in Android history. Material design gives the system a completely new look and is more than just flat icons and new color-coding. In addition to fresh animations, some new features have also been added in. Lollipop offers a completely new experience and after our initial test with the alpha version we know one thing already: you’ll love it.

1. More options during initial setup

Already in the initial setup it becomes clear how much the new Android differs from its predecessors. The color-coding is bright and friendly whereas in the past, it was much darker. The icons in the status bar have seen a fresh update as well. Through the initial setup, the user is guide step by step and you can now transfer over data, apps, and other settings from an old phone via NFC. This function is called Tap & Go.

As well, it is possible to select certain apps and data which has been associated with your Google account to help make the tradition smoother and to prevent you from inadvertently bringing old data and apps that you no longer use into the transition.

2. Lock current screen

You can lock the current screen with a specific app or screen without giving access to the rest of the phone. This is handy when you want to share something on your phone with somebody else, but don’t want them to have access to other things that you have on your device. In order to use this, you’ll need to turn it on first in Settings > Security > Screen Pinning. Once turn on, you just need to hit the app switcher button and then you’ll scroll up a bit and a pin icon will appear. If you touch this, Android will pin this to your screen and then you can lock your device with a unlock pattern.

You can lock your phone's screen on onen app with the Lollpop Pin function. 

To unpin an app or screen, simply hold the back and app switcher buttons at the same time.

3. Flappy Droid, an Easter egg game.

There were a bunch of Easter Eggs in older versions of the Android and Lollipop is no exception. In fact, they’ve pushed the boundaries a bit with this latest Easter egg. If you head into About Phone and then tap on the Android version a bunch of times, you’ll be surprised with a lollipop graphic. From there, if you do a long press on this graphic a mini-game will pop up.  As a tribute to one of the most popular, and frustrating, games of the last year, you’ll be treated to a Flappy Bird clone with the Droid as the playable character.

A hidden mini-game: In Android Lollipop there is a Flappy Bird adaptation. / 

4. Multi-users: multiple users, one device.

With Android Lollipop it is incredibly easy to create multiple user profiles on your device. Besides the main profile for the owner of the unit, you can set it so that other people can log onto the device and create their own profiles with their own wallpapers, ringtones, apps, and settings.  Of course, this is also handy if you’re the only person using the device as you can set up different “accounts” for different settings such as a work profile and an at home profile.  

CAPTION – REPLACE ME!

5. User profile images

In addition to the general settings, you can also upload a picture of yourself or take one from the device that will be associated with the profile. This image will be displayed in the top right hand corner of the status bar and you can easily tell which profile is currently in use at a glance.

6. Clock background that changes based on time of day

This may seem a bit superficial, but it is definitely visually appealing: depending on the time of the days, the background on the clock changes the color from a friendly blue during the daytime to a dark purple during the night.

A small yet cool feature is how the clock changes color as the day goes on. 

7. Fresh transitions, animations, and colors depending on apps.

The new Android update showcases a full compliment of new animations, transition effects, and color effects. This really cannot be captured well in screenshots, but believe us, they’re there.

As well, Material Design is already largely incorporated in this release of Android Lollipop. The new design laws are particularly evident in system apps such as the dialer.

The dialer supports the new Material Design. 

8. Do not disturb: avoid interruptions

If you adjust the volume, Android Lollipop will also give you the option to set certain periods where you can specify that you don’t want to be disturbed. This is convenient for during the night, if you want a quick break from your device, or also for periods of times where you don’t want to be contact such as meetings or that special anniversary date.  Of course, you can also list exceptions to these rules and allow certain calls or notifications to come through regardless of whether or not you’ve got the do not disturb enabled.

Android Lollpop allows you to block interruptions and set priorities in regard to who can get in touch wth you. 

9. Battery Life: optimized energy savings mod

Power savings modes have long been consistent with different manufacturers, but they were missing from stock Android. Now with Android 5.0, it has been properly implemented and limits the functionality of the device when turned on. When enabled, you’ll notice an orange-red notification and navigation bar, a different colored user interface. This may seem strange at first, but it’s an easy visual way to know that the device is in power savings mode and, for example, background data has been disabled.

The Battery Saver with Lollipop will extend the battery and shut off quite a few features to get you through more hours of use.

As well, battery information is more accurate than previous versions: it will show you the battery capacity in mAh and the remaining charge will also be shown.

10. Refreshed Google Now

Google’s voice assistant has seen a significant update with Android 5.0. The Google Search bar is now fixed and accessible from any home screen.

Google Now gets an update with Android 5.0.

Preliminary conclusion

As already mentioned, Lollipop still isn’t quite finish and there might be a change or two to the things that we mentioned here before the final version is released. However, our impressions from the build tell us that this is most likely a nearly complete version of the software and only a few small tweaks will be made before the general release. From what we’ve seen, we really enjoy the fresh design and the new features incorporated within.