Google releases new Android L images for Nexus 5 and 7

The highly anticipated Android L has been revealed once more. The new images come courtesy of Google, which released these images based on the Nexus 5 and the 2013 version of the Nexus 7 tablet. The images showcase the new version of Android L, mainly LPV81C, which replaces the older LPV79, which was released in June. The most striking difference lies in Google’s support for Health-based applications, which can clearly be seen. Google has also released its preview Software Development Kit (SDK) in order to boost developer’s interest in programming more health apps for the Android L.

There’s no indication as to when exactly Android L will be landing. Google clearly specified that the new OS will come out this year, and most insiders suspect that Android L will land sometime later this fall, most likely in October or early November. As always the case, Google Nexus devices will be getting it first, and the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 will be leading the bunch. So far, these are the only two Google Nexus devices that are guaranteed to be getting Android L, hence the recent image. Following the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7, other major phone manufacturers are expected to be adapting the new Android L, making it available for high-end phones by the end of the year.

Android L brings multiple major changes, and is in a league of its own, at least when compared to the recent updates to Android KitKat. The new OS will be replacing the old KitKat browser with a newer version of Chrome, and will also me introducing Google’s “Material Design” concept, which implies a significant layout and design change. Apps are expected to run faster due to the introduction of the new ART 64-bit runtime, with additional RAM support being introduced (thus bypassing the limitations of 32-bit architectures). Last but not least, Android L is expected to significantly boost the battery life of mobile devices. Not that the Nexus 7 or the Nexus 5 were particularly suffering in this regard, but today’s smartphones aren’t exactly built for endurance, so any little bit will certainly come in handy.