Android L Developer Preview hands-on

Alex takes a look at the Developer Preview for the next version of Android, currently called L. This is a huge jump forward for Android, the biggest since the Ice Cream Sandwich update a few years ago. We're not expecting a final release until later in the year, but there are some sweeping UI changes. This is based around a new design language from Google called Material Design, and almost everything in the system UI changes. Material design animates every UI transition, and items that were previously flat gain depth through drop shadows. The color palette has has been brightened up adding colors like Cyan and Green to certain menus, and the buttons have gotten a change as well. Notifications have been overhauled as well, pulldown has a new look and easier to reach quick settings, amongst other things. We won't know what it will truly look like for a few more months, but it's looking quite exciting.

And follow us elsewhere!

And follow us elsewhere!

[Jayster]

Android L is just soo beautiful and elegant! Love it. It can't come soon enough :)

[natec.]

Wow!!! Android L looks amazing!!! I think its gonna be called Lollipop…perfect name for the circular elements, and soft colors, throughout the UI

[ipineiro]

After ditching my awesome Samsung Galaxy S II for an iPhone 5, seeing this makes me want to come back to Android so badly. Android, here I come!

[tjpld]

I hope the app icons get an overhaul aswell. Something like the Numix Circle Icon Theme.

[Strikerage]

Still can't clear all cards at once.... Cyanogen needs to hurry and jump on this.

[lifeofaldwin]

Pretty cool, and to people who don't like this. You have an Android phone you can change anything you want! You have many customizations not like iOS where you're stuck with the same thing everybody has. :) Want the dark theme still? Get ROM's that suite your needs! GO android :D

[iliksor]

loving the new direction Google is taking looks amazing and can't wait to get my hands on the full release with my nexus 5. my only gripe is im not quite sold on the new multi-tasking, could do with some tweaks 

[kriscarson]

it looks very pretty indeed! cant wait to get a phone running this!

[fizziefizzer]

I love the material design. But again, they don't include a battery percentage in the status bar?

[SuperKing]

interesting I hope the final product is a lot cleaner and less cluttered then andriod is now thats 1 thing that keeps me from jumping to android from iphone 

[itaintmebabe]

How would can you go back to your backup nandroid if you decide to? For example, if you don't like Android L for any reason?

[daozhengchang]

Gives me more reasons to love android more than ever!!!!

[TheBigAppleNYC]

I really like the rolodex like feature of Android L.

[IgalaMan]

Am already dreaming of flashing this on the forthcoming Note 4.

[adlerismaelgustave]

Do any of you know if Android L going to be use on Lg phones especially LG Optimus G Pro, LG E980 for short

I found that the MMS and group messing doesn't work on Android L, did anyone have the same problem?

[Jayster]

The only thing i see wrong so far in Android L is the new Recents. I at given time have 10-15 tabs open in Chrome. I'd rather not have all of those mixed in with my ACTUAL recent apps. seems confusing. other than that, Android L is looking stunning! Can't wait 

[bigbadte]

When will this be ported in to Google now launcher?

[bbcoachSupermanBR]

I really don't care for the UI change. I remember back a year ago when the G2 was announced people were annoyed at the insane amount of pastel colors and bubbly transitions. Similarly with Samsung, people preferred stock Android for how there was no unnecessary fluff, just click and you get taken somewhere. This seems like Google is trying to ad flair but when I get the next Google Play device that hits I'll probably get a launcher that keeps KitKat. The only thing I see is a uniformity across the watches and phone which may work better on small devices than, say, a G3 or Nexus 9

[UmarKhan-zrfg]

I flashed this ROM on my nexus 5 and I didn't make a back up and I can not download anything for the internet, it says download unsuccessful, what can I BTW I don't have a computer available atm too!