http://richdemuro.com/2014/10/26/side-by-side-android-kitkat-vs-android-l-10-screenshots/
Android Lollipop (5.0) marks a big improvement for the operating system. It’s the first time Google has put a big emphasis on beautiful design – or as they call it, “material design.”
To illustrate what the changes look like, I loaded a developer preview edition of Lollipop onto a Nexus 5 and put it side by side with a Moto X (not 100% stock but pretty close). Remember, this is not the final edition of the Lollipop operating system and things can change before it’s released “in the coming weeks.”
Note: KitKat is on the left, Lollipop on the right.
1. Homescreen
You’ll notice the status bar has a slightly different look, as does the Google Search bar, Google Now and the menu buttons at the bottom of the screen. The shapes are now much simpler and clean looking. Also, notice the homescreen dots – they are no longer bigger to indicate which screen you are on, just bolder.
You’ll notice the status bar has a slightly different look, as does the Google Search bar, Google Now and the menu buttons at the bottom of the screen. The shapes are now much simpler and clean looking. Also, notice the homescreen dots – they are no longer bigger to indicate which screen you are on, just bolder.
2. Google Now
You’ll see some of the most dramatic changes here. On the right, Lollipop information is easier to grasp in an instant, with the most important stuff in strong text and highlighted in bold colors. (Side note, what a terrible loss)
You’ll see some of the most dramatic changes here. On the right, Lollipop information is easier to grasp in an instant, with the most important stuff in strong text and highlighted in bold colors. (Side note, what a terrible loss)
3. Dialer
Dialer looks cleaner, numbers are spaced out a bit more for more comfortable dialing. Also, there are less choices on screen. Gone are the recent and menu options. There is no doubt where to press the call button.
Dialer looks cleaner, numbers are spaced out a bit more for more comfortable dialing. Also, there are less choices on screen. Gone are the recent and menu options. There is no doubt where to press the call button.
4. Quick Settings
Some excellent and useful changes here. Everything is clean looking and you get instant access to your most important toggles including brightness. On the right in Lollipop you’ll notice the addition of a flashlight (yay!) and Cast Screen is now part of the defaults for easily screen slinging to Chromecast. The “user” toggle is now smaller and up near the top of the screen.
Some excellent and useful changes here. Everything is clean looking and you get instant access to your most important toggles including brightness. On the right in Lollipop you’ll notice the addition of a flashlight (yay!) and Cast Screen is now part of the defaults for easily screen slinging to Chromecast. The “user” toggle is now smaller and up near the top of the screen.
5. Notifications Pull Down
Here’s what it looks like after you just took a screenshot and pull down on the notifications bar. Material design is apparent on the right in Lollipop as you can clearly see the distinction between the three parts of the notification: the explanation at the top, the snippet in the middle and the action option at the bottom. Also, notice the toggle to clear all notifications has moved below them, which makes it easier to clear them using one hand on a giant phone screen (Nexus 6 et al).
Here’s what it looks like after you just took a screenshot and pull down on the notifications bar. Material design is apparent on the right in Lollipop as you can clearly see the distinction between the three parts of the notification: the explanation at the top, the snippet in the middle and the action option at the bottom. Also, notice the toggle to clear all notifications has moved below them, which makes it easier to clear them using one hand on a giant phone screen (Nexus 6 et al).
6. Battery
Battery stats are a bit easier to understand on the right, plus Android Lollipop will give you an approximation of how much time you have left to use your phone. Apparently, battery life is much improved in this update. Additionally, while you charge your phone both this screen and the lock screen tell you how much time it will take until your phone is fully charged.
Battery stats are a bit easier to understand on the right, plus Android Lollipop will give you an approximation of how much time you have left to use your phone. Apparently, battery life is much improved in this update. Additionally, while you charge your phone both this screen and the lock screen tell you how much time it will take until your phone is fully charged.
7. Clock
Just a little cleanup here, plus I noticed the background color seems to change based on the time you’re looking at the clock. Also, the globe icon at the bottom has changed to match Material Design standards.
Just a little cleanup here, plus I noticed the background color seems to change based on the time you’re looking at the clock. Also, the globe icon at the bottom has changed to match Material Design standards.
8. Settings
9. Storage
Not too many visible changes here, but an overall clean and clear look. Also, gone is the “gear” icon since it doesn’t seem to match the simplicity of Android 5.0 Material Design.
Not too many visible changes here, but an overall clean and clear look. Also, gone is the “gear” icon since it doesn’t seem to match the simplicity of Android 5.0 Material Design.
10. Interruptions
One of the more useful additions to Lollipop (both screenshots are from 5.0). It’s their version of Apple’s “Do Not Disturb,” but offers even more functionality (BTW, if you aren’t getting Lollipop anytime soon check out a fantastic Android app called Agent that does some of this). You can schedule quiet times for your phone or allow only certain “priority” callers and messages to ring your device. There are various ways you can customize here. Additionally, when you adjust the volume on your device, you now have the option to toggle “interruptions” (aka notifications) off for an indefinite or timed amount of time, or only allow interruptions from your priority list.
One of the more useful additions to Lollipop (both screenshots are from 5.0). It’s their version of Apple’s “Do Not Disturb,” but offers even more functionality (BTW, if you aren’t getting Lollipop anytime soon check out a fantastic Android app called Agent that does some of this). You can schedule quiet times for your phone or allow only certain “priority” callers and messages to ring your device. There are various ways you can customize here. Additionally, when you adjust the volume on your device, you now have the option to toggle “interruptions” (aka notifications) off for an indefinite or timed amount of time, or only allow interruptions from your priority list.
Conclusion
This is by no means a full review of Lollipop, just a fun look at some of the changes in store for Android users. Overall, the look and feel is best described as a combination of clean and useful. There isn’t a lot of unnecessary stuff floating around – until, of course, OEM’s get their hands on it!
This is by no means a full review of Lollipop, just a fun look at some of the changes in store for Android users. Overall, the look and feel is best described as a combination of clean and useful. There isn’t a lot of unnecessary stuff floating around – until, of course, OEM’s get their hands on it!
It feels more like a modern day operating system, and less like an “operating system.”
