Related Articles
Android Lollipop 5.0 will reportedly start rolling out on November 3.
The launch date for the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system was apparently revealed in a note to app developers obtained by Android Police
. The note tells developers that the Software Development Kit for Android 5.0 is now available. Google further advises developers that they can start developing and testing their apps via the Android 5.0 platform and publish apps that target the latest version to the Google Play store.
The note concludes by revealing that Android 5.0 will be available to consumers starting November 3.
The date doesn’t come as a huge surprise as Google has said that its new Nexus 6 phone and Nexus 9 tablet would be available in early November. Both devices will be outfitted with Android 5.0, so the next logical step would be to start the launch of Lollipop for existing devices around the same time.
Check out the Google Nexus 6 (pictures)
+9 more
Of course, not all eligible Android owners will receive Lollipop first thing November 3. Given the number of players involved in pushing out an Android OS update, the rollout will instead play out overtime. Typically, Google sends the latest Android update to its own Nexus devices. Then the other mobile device makers start to prep the updates for their own devices. And that may take some time.
Related stories
- Get familiar with Android 5.0 Lollipop
- When and where to get Android 5.0 Lollipop
- For Google’s Android 5.0, L stands for Lollipop
Google announced that its Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 will be updated to Android 5.0 in “the coming weeks.” HTC has already said that it will start rolling out Android 5.0 to its HTC One M8 and HTC One M7 worldwide “within 90 days of receiving final software from Google,” meaning sometime before February. Motorola said it plans to update its first- and second-generation Moto X and Moto G and other devices with Android 5.0 later this year. Other device makers have so far been mum about their plans for Lollipop but will likely reveal specific time frames before too long.
Google gave us a taste of Android 5.0 Lollipop at its June I/O conference when the operating system was known simply as Android But the latest details reveal a new look for Android courtesy of a concept called Material Design, which paints in richer colors, adds more depth and transparency, and includes more white space. Android 5.0 also adds a new notification setup, tweaks the way you multitask apps and throws in a new battery saving mode.
Google did not immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.
