Google Announces Android 5 Also Known As Lollipop

All Hallow’s Eve is once again upon us, and last year Google treated us with the unveiling of its Nexus 5 and the official release of the KitKat OS. Can we expect another new device for this Halloween, or is our treat coming sooner?

According to rumors, Google may be unveiling its new Nexus smartphone, the Nexus 6 as early as this week. We could also see the arrival of Android L, the newest version of its mobile operating software.

So what are the top rumors regarding Google’s announcement?

5 rumors to know : Nexus 6 phone and Nexus 9 tablet

Motorola-made

Leaks have indicated that the new Nexus 6 is a collaboration between Google and Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc., a company the search giant bought and sold in a very short span of time. Ironically, when Google owned Motorola there was the expectation that Google would focus its mobile development around the acquisition in favor of its in-house manufacturer. Maybe this time, now that Lenovo Group Ltd. owns Motorola, Google is finally taking notice of the legacy phone maker’s potential in the mobile market.

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It’s a phablet

Leaked photos show the Nexus 6 as a massive phone with a 5.9-inch screen that is bigger than Apple Inc.’s iPhone 6 Plus. The Nexus 6 could feature a Snapdragon 805 processor, 13MP rear camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 3GB RAM, 3200mAh battery, and will support an expandable memory via microSD. The smartphone greatly resembles the second version of the Moto X unveiled just last month.

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There will be a tablet

Aside from the Nexus 6, Google is also expected to announce the Nexus 9 tablet. The tablet is said to made by HTC, not Motorola, with an 8.9-inch display and 2048×1440 resolution with 281 ppi, powered by NVIDIA’s Logan Tegra K1 64-bit processor, 2GB RAM. The tablet could also come in 16GB and 32GB versions. No news yet if it will support expansion via microSD, but the price is expected to start at $399.

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Android L

Both the Nexus 6 phablet and Nexus 9 tablet will be running Android L, the next iteration of Android. There’s no word on  what the L stands for, but it’s most likely Lollipop, as Google has a knack of naming its Android OS after desserts and candy.

Android L is said to come with a new Material Design interface, improved multitasking and notifications, as well as under-the-hood improvements with Project Volta to improve the device’s battery life and ART, an improved runtime with increased application performance.

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Launch date

Contrary to most product reveals, Google said to have opted for a quiet unveiling and will introduce the new devices and mobile OS via a blog post tomorrow, October 15, 2014. Pre-orders for the Nexus 9 could begin this Friday the 17th, and will be available for purchase on November 3, 2014. The Nexus 6 is also expected to be unveiled tomorrow with the same selling date as the Nexus 9.