Google is preparing to launch the next version of Android this fall, and it will feature a new “Material” design language with bright colors and animations meant to look and feel a bit like flipping between pieces of paper.
But not all phones running Android L will look the same.
Some devices like the upcoming Google Nexus 6 will likely run Google’s stock version of the operating system, while others like the Samsung Galaxy line of phones will feature their own custom skins.
The folks at SamMobile got their hands on an early build of Android L for the Samsung Galaxy S5, and they’re giving us an idea of what Google’s next operating system will look like on Samsung’s flagship smartphone.
SamMobile reports that Samsung has redesigned all of its apps including Messages, Memo, Clock, Music, and the phone dialer to comply with Google’s new design guidelines.
There’s also a new theme that uses a lot of white where earlier versions of Samsung’s TouchWiz skin used blue, and there’s support up to two notifications on the lock screen (rather than the 4 you get with the stock Android L software).
Some things haven’t changed much — the home screen and app launcher don’t look all that different from earlier versions, and you can still swipe down from the top of the screen to access Samsung’s own version of the Android quick settings panel. You also get a Samsung keyboard instead of the stock Android keyboard — but you can always replace that with a third-party keyboard (or even the Google Keyboard).
You can find way more photos at SamMobile, or check out the video below for more details.
All we use are Samsung phones and touchwiz though bloated is easy to operate. My Mother in law has a nexus 5 and father the s3, both just as ignorant to technology and she has had the most difficult time trying to learn the nexus 5. Hangouts really is a PIA so she sticks to Viber or Whatsapp.
Wow, that doesn’t look very different from the KitKat version. Isn’t Android L supposed to have more eye candy? As usual, someone at Samsung vomited TouchWiz all over it. Google needs to crack down on OEM skins like they do with Android TV, Wear, and Auto. You either use the stock UI or you only get AOSP.
Android L doesn’t really look that much different than Kitkat anyway (other than pastel colors everywhere). It does have some different functionality, but you wouldn’t really see that from just the home screen and clock app.
That is the exact same thing that happened when Samsung offered Android 4.0.x upgrades to its 2.3.x phones. “Thanks” to TouchWiz the OS looked and handled pretty much EXACTLY the same (ugly) way.
I’ve always referred to tw as an abomination, I like vomit better it’s a better description, so thanks for that.)