We show you the best features and easter eggs in Android Lollipop
Android 5.0 Lollipop has arrived with the Nexus 9 and Nexus 6 and will be rolling out to thousands of devices over the coming weeks and months. Whether you've got it already or just want to get a head start, here are our top 10 Android Lollipop tips, tricks and hidden features.
There are many changes in Lollipop apart from the Material Design and performance improvements. These are our top 10 but let us know yours in the comments section below.
Top 10 Android Lollipop tips, tricks and features
Easter egg game
You're probably used to the Android Lollipop where you tap on the version name in the about phone/about tablet part of the settings menu. Well this is no different in Lollipop but if you tap the image of the lollipop multiple times then long press it you'll load up an Android themed mini-game which is a nod to Flappy Bird. See also: iOS 8 vs Android Lollipop
Search settings
With more technology packed into smartphones and tablets, the settings menu has grown and got ever more complex. Samsung's TouchWiz menu is crazy big. Google is known for search but Lollipop is the first version of Android to let you specifically search the settings menu – it's fast and easy if you know what you're looking for. Tap the magnifying glass to do a search.
New notification bar
The notification bar in Lollipop is different to before so you don't swipe down on different sides of the screen to get notifications or quick settings. Now you simply swipe down once for notifications and a second time for quick settings. You can still get straight to the latter with a two-finger swipe and it's accessible via the lockscreen.
Hide sensitive notifications
Notifications now show in the middle of the lockscreen which is a good thing but not if you don't want juicy details on display to everyone. Under Settings > Sound & notifications > When device is locked you can choose to hide sensitive notifications. Developers can add this into app so they are not on show. You can also switch off lockscreen notifications completely here.
Flashlight
Third party flashlight/torch apps have been very popular and a must download, making handy use of the camera's LED flash – for devices with one anyway. Well Google's gone and made this a standard feature of Lollipop so you don't need an app anymore. The flashlight is found in the notifications bar.
Check data usage
If you have a data limit on your mobile phone tariff then Lollipop makes it really easy to check on your usage. In the notification bar, tap on the cellular icon and you'll get some info on how many MB you've used.
Screen pinning
Android has user profiles and a guest mode but they take time to setup so if you want to just hand someone your device briefly, use screen pinning to avoid any unwanted mistreatment. Activate it in Settings > Security > Screen pinning then you can pin the last app in your recent apps menu by clicking the mint-green pin button at the bottom right. Now when you hand your device over, the guest can only use the app you pinned.
Tap and Go
If you're Android Lollipop is brand new and you're setting it up for the first time then Tap and Go will come in useful for any existing Google Android users. Us this option to pair the Lollipop device with any Android 4.1 and above smartphone through NFC and your stuff will be transferred to it over Bluetooth. Everything is included, even icons and folders.
Priority mode
This is essentially Google's Do Not Disturb mode and is accessed by clicking your volume up or down button. Under the slider you have three options to choose from: None, Priority and All. Two of them are self-explanatory while the middle one allows you to customise which notifications are allowed. For example you can allow only texts and calls (even starred contacts only). You can also select automatic 'down time' such as when you're in bed.
Tap to wake
A feature first seen on the LG G2 has made its way to various other Android devices and it's now a standard part of Lollipop. Instead of using the power button, you can simply double tap the screen to switch it on. Only LG's devices support a double tap on a free area of the homescreen or status bar to switch it off though.
source : pcadvicer
source : pcadvicer
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