With the release of Google's next iteration of its Android mobile operating system, Android L, right around the corner, many are wondering just what the new operating system will bring and why it will be better.
But there are plenty of articles about that.
Here are three things that you may not have known about the new software.
1. ART Runtime
While Android L features a radically different design, it's also quite different under the hood. Android has been using Dalvik runtime as the standard for years now, but Android RunTime (ART) will prove to be significantly faster.
Essentially, Dalvik compiles Java into native code as an app is running, meaning that there can sometimes be stutters and skips. ART changes this and instead compiles all the code of an app during the installation of the app, meaning that apps should run quite a lot faster.
ART is also great because it does not require developers to change their code and instead is able to compile any code that Dalvik could. Not only that, but because ART does not compile the code of an app while that app is running, battery life is significantly better.
Of course, there is a trade-off. ART uses a little more storage, but most people will probably think it's worth it, especially with higher amounts of storage in smartphones today.
2. Google Fit
One rather big feature that has not been getting a lot of attention is Google's new Google Fit. Like Apple, with its new HealthKit, Google is also debuting new health features in its next mobile operating system.
Google Fit will track a number of metrics including sleep, steps and so on. Ideally, Google Fit will be the center for all of a users health metrics, including those collected by other devices, such as a smart watch, for example.
It's important to note that we haven't yet seen a dedicated app for Google Fit, but instead details about the platform, which a number of apps can take advantage of. This is the kind of open source thing we would expect from Google.
3. Android L isn't just an operating system for the phone
As Google announced at Google I/O in June, Android L will power a number of other things besides your phone. In fact, through Android L your smartphone will be the hub for your car, your living room and your wearables.
Android Auto is the new in-car operating system announced by Google that will be transmitted to a display in the dashboard of the user's car. The interface looks similar to Google Now, and will have navigation, music capabilities and voice-control features.
Android TV will be a little different in that it will be built into set-top boxes and TVs, but it will still be controlled by the users smartphone. Through it, users will be able to play games, watch shows and so on.
Because of the fact that most wearables are connected to the users smartphone, Android L will also power Android Wear-based wearable devices. Notifications received on a user's phone will show up on such devices, as will other information.
Conclusions
Android L is set to be one of the biggest releases of Android in history. While things like Material Design, a set of design guidelines, and new notifications capabilities are awesome, there are clearly many other features that will help make Android L great.
