Sony’s Android 5.0 Lollipop update has been a long time coming, given that Google launched Android 5.0 Lollipop back in November. This long wait usually accompanies any Android update, especially one as major as Android 5.0 Lollipop, and is sort of par for the course when you don’t have a Nexus device. Sony’s skin is pretty minimal on visual customizations but features some pretty extensive back end enhancements including excellent battery life, plenty of additional apps and some pretty robust camera software. All these reasons are part of why the update has taken a while, but it finally seems to be upon us.
Sony announced and showed off their new Xperia Z4 Tablet powered by Android 5.0 Lollipop at Mobile World Congress a few weeks ago and we were able to get the first hands-on with Sony’s big software update. Today Sony released a new video showcasing some of the big design improvements that Android 5.0 Lollipop brings about, including some seriously overhauled apps and UI elements. Below you’ll find a 93-second video showing off a handful of new features including the absolutely beautiful calendar and email apps that feature a completely new look and feel inspired by Material Design.
You’ll also notice that many icons have received a visual makeover and aren’t quite so glassy looking, instead moving to more flat gradients and dual-color icons. The music and gallery apps, in addition to a ton of other Sony apps, have received a full visual makeover the coincides with Material Design. There’s now full-screen lockscreen music control and of course lockscreen notifications as Android 5.0 Lollipop brought to the table. Quick toggles are now customizable whereas in stock Android 5.0 Lollipop they are not. You’ll also find a handful of new lockscreen clocks that can be changed to match your Sony Smartwatch 3 if you have one. Multi-user support has been added to keep your information private or to have a separate work profile, and there’s even an option to move apps to the SD card for additional storage. Sony’s enhancement of Android 5.0 Lollipop runs deep, and it should be rolling out to an Xperia phone near you soon.