Android 5 is going to be exciting, theres no doubt about that. Google saves the change to a new number for the big things, with both Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich making big alterations to the way we use our Android phones. We thought it would have been Key Lime Pie that showed off the next level, but on 31 October 2013, Google officially revealed its next minor update, Android 4.4 KitKat, which now clears the road for Android 5. Cut to the chase What is it? The next major upgrade for Android, to follow on from Android 4.4 When is it out? Were thinking mid-2014 What will it cost? Nothing, itll be a free upgrade The dessert-themed code name that we assume will begin with L is anyones guess at this stage. Android 5.0 Lemon Cheesecake or Android 5.0 Lemon Meringue Pie, anyone? As we wait on official news of that name, were constantly combing the web to see whats going to be happening with this L-powered update, so check back to see what weve uncovered and the level of likelihood each rumour brings. Android 5.0 release date Until Android 4.4 was announced we had expected the Android 5.0 release date to be some time in October 2013. We instead saw Android 4.4 KitKat launch on 31 October, so now were expecting to see Android 5.0 shown off in mid-2014, quite possibly at Google IO, Googles annual two-day developer conference in San Francisco. Thats a year on from when we had originally expected to see Android 5.0, which was at Google IO 2013, which took place from May 15 to May 17 2013. Given that Google announced Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at 2012s IO conference, were now desperate for the next iteration of the code. Sundar Pichai, Googles new head of Android told Wired that 2013s IO was not a time when we have much in the way of launches of new products or a new operating system, which makes us wonder when the new software will be coming. Our take: Android updates are still coming too slowly for our liking, as while each 0.1-numbered upgrade is good, its not enough to make us want the native experience. Were expecting Google to make Android 5 rather special indeed, which means it can only wait a maximum of 6-7 months after KitKat was announced to show it off - so mid-2014 has to happen, in our opinion. Android 5.0 phones The first handset to run Android 5 will either be a Nexus phone or tablet, and given the timing of the announcement we think it might be the latter. The Google Nexus 5 launched Android 4.4 at the tail end of next year, and we reckon the Nexus 10 (2014) will appear soon - meaning a tablet launch for the new OS. HTC looks like the front runner to bring this tablet to the market, so were thinking that this could happen mid-2014, which puts it firmly on course to be made soon. Will it be known as a Nexus? The scheme is reportedly under threat, although in no way confirmed by Google. It does have the Play Editions of its devices, so we could see Android 5 side-launched on other devices - but we cant see that happening. Google IO 2012Androids out in force at Google IO 2012 Samsungs Android 5.0 upgrades Although Samsung is yet to officially confirm its Android 5.0 schedule, a SamMobile source is claiming to know which phones and tablets will be getting the upgrade. According to the source, the devices set to receive the upgrade are the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 8.0 and Galaxy Note 10.1. Do note that this claim was made before Google announced Android 4.4, so if it was ever correct, its probably a lot less correct now.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 14:49:28 +0000
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