Google announces Android L developer preview, with new design

Google has released a developer preview of the next iteration of Android dubbed Android L. The new Android version brings in a new UI dubbed "Material Design", a refreshed status bar, dialer and all updated Android apps. There are several changes to notifications as well, which can now appear on the lockscreen, you can just tap on the notification to open the respective app or swipe it away to ignore.

Chrome has been updated as well with a more fluid layout which changes size according to display size and orientation. Web-browsing performance has also been improved with better GUI rendering. ART has replaced Dalvik as the default runtime on Android "L", which adds 64-bit support for Android with better memory management.

Google also introduced Project Volta which aims at improving battery life with Android L. There's a new battery-saver mode which can turn down CPU clock speed, turn off phone radios and improve battery-life. Android is also getting better enterprise support, with separation of data and better security, bulk installation of apps through IT admins.

Android L also brings Google Fit, which pulls in data from all sensors to track fitness data and your workout regiment. Nike Fuelband, Adidas, Motorola, LG, Bais, Polar, RunKeeper, HTC and more will be putng their efforts with devices for the Google Fit experience.

Factory images of Android L will be available for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 later today. Over the Air updates for Nexus devices and Google Play Devices is expected to arrive this Fall.