Google launched Android 5 aka Lollipop back in October, but so far
only a handful of smartphones have been updated to it. Apart from the
Google Nexus 6, only a handful of phones have appeared in the last few
months running Lollipop right out-of-the-box and fewer have actually
received an update to the OS.
However, the good news is that you
don't actually need Lollipop on your phone to get the best features of
Google's brand new operating system.
We show you how.
The Google Now Launcher
The
Google Now launcher is central to the Lollipop like experience. Google
has updated its launcher, which debuted back in 2013 when the company
launched Android KitKat. The new launcher now adds the material design
look and feel that can be found on Google's Nexus devices running
Lollipop. The Google Now launcher also ensures that the Google Now
contextual assistant is just a swipe away on the home screen. The
launcher also adds an element of touch-less control, as users can
operate many functions of the device using the 'Okay Google' hot command
using speech. To use the launcher, you should at a minimum have a
device with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
Download Google Now Launcher
Google Keyboard
Google
has even updated its stock Android keyboard on the Play Store. The
Google Keyboard now adds two themes called 'Material Dark' and 'Material
Light'. When you start the keyboard, by default the keyboard will use
the old 'Holo' theme, but you can change the theme of the keyboard to
either of the new material design themes. Swift Key users can also use
new material design themes, but they will need to buy the themes.
Download Google Keyboard
Google Camera Google's
Camera app is available on the Play Store and it provides a basic and
simple camera interface for shooting photos. While it is not very
comprehensive, you may prefer it over a feature-heavy camera app that
most manufacturers use in the phones. Basically, it is the design thing.
Otherwise, the third-party camera apps are better.
Download Google Camera Gmail
Gmail
was one of the first applications Google updated with material design.
The Gmail app is pre-installed on most Android phones, though to get the
new material design look, you may need to update the app from the Play
Store. The new Gmail app also adds support for Exchange mail, which is
very popular amongst corporate users.
Download Gmail
Messenger
The
Messenger app is one of Google's newest apps. On Android Lollipop, the
Messenger app replaces the stock Android SMS app. Chances are that your
phone already comes with a SMS application, which is better than the old
SMS app that Google provided, but still the Messenger app is a handy
addition, which is aesthetically beautiful as it uses Material Design
and is incredibly functional. Just make sure you don't mix up Google's
Messenger app with the one Facebook makes as both have identical names.
Download Messenger
Google Calender
Google
Calender is a staple of Google's suite of apps. It is one of the best
calendar apps available on Android. With Lollipop, it too has been
updated with the Material Design language, which makes it an
aesthetically pleasing calendar option for most users.
Download Calendar
Some
core applications found on Android Lollipop running on Nexus smartphone
are not available on the Google Play Store. These include the
calculator, the clock and the Lock screen. While Google does not offer
these apps, there some good options that even incorporate the Material
Design language heralded in the new version of the OS.
The L-Locker
The
L-Locker app mimics the look and feel of the new lock-screen that
Google has added in Android 5.0. It even adds supports for Lollipop
style notifications. Other than this, the app adds many new features,
which are even missing in Android Lollipop.
Download L Locker
Calculator L
Calculator
L adds a Lollipop style calculator, which uses Material Design like
principles in its user interface design. The app is pretty
straightforward and simple to use.
Download Calculator L
Clock L
Like
Calculator L, Clock L strives to provide a third party clock that looks
like the one Google has added in Android Lollipop on its Nexus
smartphones. It is compatible with Android Ice Cream Sandwich plus
smartphones and tablets and is also highly customisable.
Download Clock L
Other
than this, like in the case of the Gmail app, you should update all
your preloaded Google Apps, which include Google Search, Google Maps,
Google+, Photos, YouTube, Hangouts, and Google Play Music and Google
Drive. Some of these apps will need an update to Google Play Services.
Once updated all the apps will add the new look and feel that one gets
on a Nexus smartphone running Android Lollipop.
Users can also
download Google Doc apps รข€” Docs, Sheets and Slides for productivity.
These apps are normally preloaded on Google's Nexus hardware, but for
other devices they have to be manually downloaded.
