Android L 5.0 Update: Possible Names and Features

Android L 5.0 Update: Possible Names and Features

We’re getting closer to the release of the next major version of Android, so we wanted to talk about what Google could end up calling it. We know that it should start with the letter L, but that’s as much as anyone (besides Google employees) truly knows. Let’s go over the possible names that we could see Google using this year.

Licensed names

Since Android 4.4 KitKat was internally known as Key Lime Pie before they struck a deal, this makes it highly possible that Google could do the same this year. No matter what clues or hints we read about Android L, we could see Google change things right before the latest version of KitKat is released.

With as much battery saving changes going into Android L, Life Savers is something that could actually fit. Or they could take it in a comical direction and go with Laffy Taffy. A few have suggested the possibility of Lemon Heads too, but out of all the licensed names, this one seems the most unlikely.

Generic names

Assuming that Google’s commercial partnership was a one-time deal, we have a lot of other desserts they could choose from – things like Ladyfingers, Lollipop, Licorice, Lemon Tart, Lemon Drop, Lemon Bar, Lava Cake or even Lemon Meringue Pie. We’ve seen the letters LMP appearing in Wi-Fi certification papers just two day ago. It seems like Lemon Meringue Pie just might be the internal code name for the next version of Android.

Features expected in Android L

We are more than excited to see what Google ends up releasing in the final version of Android L. Material Design is one of my favorite new changes and I can’t wait to see which 3rd party application developers can capitalize on this first. Google has also redesigned how Android handles notifications. We’ve seen similar features like this from Paranoid Android, with Hover and CyanogenMod with the Heads Up notifications. This will also bring a non-intrusive call notification window instead of taking you out of your application and interrupting your session. Everyone will benefit from Project Volta and the new Android L battery optimizations. These will be applied system-wide and there will also be a new Job Scheduler API for 3rd party developers to integrate into their applications.