Google surprised Android fans by announcing the release of the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for Nexus 4 this morning.
The anticipation for the next Google OS update began when the company announced that they are developing the successor for Android 4.4 KitKat during their annual I/O event back in June. That time, Google referred to the OS update simply as the Android L. However, the actual name for the OS update and its release date were not discussed during that time.
Google finally announced that the Android 5.0 Lollipop will be available for Nexus 4 devices, and it will come out alongside the two latest Nexus devices, namely the Nexus 6 made by Motorola and HTC-manufactured Nexus 9. However, there are no exact details yet about the release date for all these releases.
Also, Google said that the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for other Google devices like the Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Google Play Edition will be available "in the coming weeks." However, just like the Nexus 4 update and the new Nexus devices release date, the exact schedule for the said update for the mentioned Google smartphones is still undisclosed.
According to reports, the new UI offered by Android 5.0 Lollipop will be called Material Design, and it will feature brilliant colors and natural shadows that promise to give perceptive experiences when using the device.
Android 5.0 Lollipop also provides a new Lock Screen and Notifications Panel, as well as improved battery life with a battery saving feature and a battery statistics viewer.
Earlier, Nexus 4 was not included in the list of devices that are getting the Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade, but Android Engineering Program Manager Sascha Pruter promises the owners of the device that they will also experience the new OS update.
"I know there is a meme for this somewhere but... be assured the missing 'Nexus 4' in the Lollipop update notice is just a mistake, we are fixing it now :) Now please put down your pitchforks again and let's have some candy!" Pruter announced via his Google+ account.
Google is still silent about which Google Play Edition devices will be able to obtain the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop update, but it could possibly include the HTC One M8 as well as the Moto G.
