Question

Android Lollipop review?

Answer 1

The new 5.0 Android build introduces Google's Material Design language - a complete overhaul of the visual flavour of Android with a flat, paper-like appearance, new transition animations, and an emphasis on a Google Now-like card system throughout. Naturally, Lollipop also boasts a selection of functionality changes, including a revised multitasking carousel, new lockscreena and security options, and much more besides.

One thing that is worth pointing out, however, is that most people –– like a serious, lion’s share-style chunk of people –– won’t ever see Material Design in all its glory. And the reason is custom Android skins, things like Samsung’s TouchWiz and HTC Sense. The majority of Android phones in circulation are not Nexus devices and most, save for Motorola devices, do not run anything close to stock Android. This has always been an issue for us at KYM, something we feel rather passionate about, and now, with the advent of Material Design, it just got a lot worse because this update is gorgeous. 

Answer 2

Android 5.0 isn’t just about surface changes. The new software also comes with new features, and many of these represent potentially big changes in how users will interact with their devices. One of these that occurs as soon as you set up your device is automatic encryption.

All your data on a brand-new Android 5.0 device is encrypted from the start by default, and that encryption is tied to both a secret generated by your user security code (should you set one up). This means that if you lose your device, the data will be better protected even if your lock screen code is bypassed and the data is accessed directly. It’s a nice feature, but it’s something that you won’t actually notice or benefit from unless you unfortunately lose your device or have it stolen.

Another new security feature in Android is actually much more useful on a daily basis, and that’s Smart Lock. You can assign trusted devices to allow your Nexus 9 or other Lollipop-sporting device to unlock automatically when actively paired with them, and it’s a huge boon to convenience while offering less of a potential security trade-off vs. just not using a lock screen passcode at all....