Android By Ryan Whitwam Jun. 24, 2014 2:35 pm
Perhaps you’ve noticed the bevy of Android leaks over the last few weeks. There have been clues to the interface, design language, and workflow improvements in Android’s “L release,” and now we may know why. According to Google’s Android chief Sundar Pichai, the next version of Android is set to be demoed at the Google I/O 2014 keynote tomorrow ahead of its autumn*release.
According to Pichai, this is an attempt to increase transparency in the development of Android, which has previously been remarkably secretive for an open source platform. Apple, by contrast, always shows off the new version of iOS (sans a few features exclusive to new hardware) at its WWDC event*in the spring. Apple also hands out a beta*build of the platform so developers can begin getting apps updated. It sounds like Google isn’t going that far, but a demo is better than nothing.
Previous leaks have shown off what is believed to be Android’s new design language, possibly called Quantum Paper. Both the Calendar and Gmail apps have leaked, as well as some possible shots of the L version launch device, a 8.9-inch Nexus tablet from HTC. There have also been rumblings of a change to Android’s multitasking interface with integrated web apps called Project Hera. This could be a big UI shakeup, judging from the leaks.
The name and version number aren’t known yet — Google only refers to the platform by its letter designation until the reveal. So expect the keynote tomorrow to include a new sweet-themed mascot and L-name. Maybe lollipop? Licorice? Lemon meringue pie? We’re less than a day from seeing what the future of Android looks like.
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According to Pichai, this is an attempt to increase transparency in the development of Android, which has previously been remarkably secretive for an open source platform. Apple, by contrast, always shows off the new version of iOS (sans a few features exclusive to new hardware) at its WWDC event*in the spring. Apple also hands out a beta*build of the platform so developers can begin getting apps updated. It sounds like Google isn’t going that far, but a demo is better than nothing.
Previous leaks have shown off what is believed to be Android’s new design language, possibly called Quantum Paper. Both the Calendar and Gmail apps have leaked, as well as some possible shots of the L version launch device, a 8.9-inch Nexus tablet from HTC. There have also been rumblings of a change to Android’s multitasking interface with integrated web apps called Project Hera. This could be a big UI shakeup, judging from the leaks.
The name and version number aren’t known yet — Google only refers to the platform by its letter designation until the reveal. So expect the keynote tomorrow to include a new sweet-themed mascot and L-name. Maybe lollipop? Licorice? Lemon meringue pie? We’re less than a day from seeing what the future of Android looks like.
More...
