Android L release date: Lollipop 5.0 unites fragmented ecosystem, features; first coming to Nexus trio

(PHOTO: Android Lollipop)Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Google's Android 5.0 Lollipop is packed with interesting features that could rival Apple's iOS 8, which had a rocky start.

Google further explained features and inspirations behind the latest operating system via an official blog.

"As previewed at Google I/O, Lollipop is our largest, most ambitious release on Android with over 5,000 new APIs for developers. Lollipop is designed to be flexible, to work on all your devices and to be customized for you the way you see fit. And just like Android has always been, it's designed to be shared," Google writes in a blog post.

It continues, "Lollipop is made for a world where moving throughout the day means interacting with a bunch of different screens—from phones and tablets to TVs. With more devices connecting together, your expectation is that things just work."

"With Lollipop, it's easier than ever to pick up where you left off, so the songs, photos, apps, and even recent searches from one of your Android devices can be immediately enjoyed across all the other ones," the post explains.

"Lollipop also gives you more control over your device. You can now adjust your settings so that only certain people and notifications can get through, for example, when you're out to dinner or in the middle of an important meeting. And when an important notification does come through, you can see it directly from the lockscreen," the company adds.

Android 5.0 Lollipop's primary objective is to unify the fragmented Android ecosystem.

The feature called Material Design is one of the manifestations of Google's push for consistency and uniformity across all devices.

The announcement was made last Wednesday, Oct. 15, along with three new Nexus devices: Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player.

Nexus 6 will be the first smartphone to get the Android 5.0 Lollipop update. The smartphone is Google's answer to the high-end Apple iPhone 6.

Nexus 6 will be available by November, but pre-order opens late October.

Nexus 9 and Nexus Player are scheduled to hit store shelves on Oct. 17.

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