Guest-written by: Saad ElKhadem, Research Analyst, IDC MEA
Cupcake, Eclair, Froyo, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean: You'd be forgiven for thinking that you were reading a dessert menu, but in fact these are some of the names given to the different versions of Google’s Android OS.
Earlier this year, Google previewed Android L to the world. This served as a sneak peak of what we could come to expect once the full version was released to the public. Last month, the wait ended, and Google’s latest iteration of the Android OS — Lollipop — was made official.
But what will this version offer, and what does it mean for users? The first thing that people will notice is its new look and feel. This is thanks to Google's new "design language," called Material Design, which aims to bring together the company's various apps and services under the umbrella of a more uniform and visually appealing UI.
The new layered and brighter look works alongside various transitions and animations that bring the experience to life, and Material Design will not be limited to the Android OS itself; it also extends to apps, Chrome OS, and other services.
With the recent spate of security issues facing mobile platforms, users are more concerned than ever before about the data on their devices falling into the wrong hands. With Lollipop, Google has encrypted users' data by default.
Running alongside this is a new guest-user account function. This gives users the ability to share their device with others while alleviating concerns that they may be prying through sensitive information, whatever that may be. Such security upgrades will not only be attractive to consumers, but also to corporate clients, making Android an attractive option in the B2B space.
Forgetting our phones is one of modern life's everyday frustrations, but with Lollipop, this experience becomes a little easier to manage. Should you and a friend or colleague both have Lollipop installed on your devices, you can simply log in to their device with your credentials and gain remote access to the information on your own device, including contacts, messages, and photos.
There are many more upgrades included with the latest variant of Android, including improved notifications, longer battery life, and enhanced performance, among many others. And at the same time, the hardware side of things is also undergoing a transition, with Google's all-new Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 devices leading the charge.
The Nexus devices offer users the 'purest' Android experience as envisioned by Google itself. This year, the company has partnered with Motorola for the Nexus 6 smartphone, and with HTC for the Nexus 9 tablet, both of which run Android 5.0.
The Nexus 6 is a 5.9", phablet-sized smartphone. And with a price tag of $650, these numbers make it both the largest and most expensive Nexus smartphone to date. That said, the Nexus 6 packs some serious bang for its buck, including a QHD display, 13MP camera, aluminum frame, and dual front-facing speakers.
An interesting addition is that the device will ship with the Motorola Turbo Charger, which the manufacturer claims can charge the device to up to 60% capacity in just 15 minutes.
The latest Nexus 9 tablet, meanwhile, features an 8.9" screen with IPS technology, making viewing the device from various angles a treat. Accompanying the new, larger screen are dual front-facing speakers and aluminum trim to give it that premium look and feel. Of course that also comes at a premium price, with the Nexus 9 also starting at $399.
With Android 5.0 and its new Nexus devices, Google is ready to embark on the next phase of its development. The company has addressed many of the issues that users were demanding, and now has its sights set on the bigger picture. With an enhanced user experience, tightened security, improved performance, and innovative connectivity features, Lollipop is set to be another sweet addition to Google's menu, and one that IDC believes will see it maintain its reign at the top of the mobile OS charts.