Flashing Anroid 5.0 (Lolipop) and its features
Recently, Google, one of the largest IT giants on Earth who owns Android, has released its latest Android version - Lollipop. It is a tradition for Android to use a desert name as its system nickname.
Unfortunately, as a Mi (Chinese phone brand) user, I am not going to receive Android Update Push.
After a 3-week-long careful consideration, I decided to flash the sweet new Android into my phone by non-official method. There may be a risk of bricking my phone.
Flashing Android 5.0
At 6, I started downloading the recovery file and the Google Imagery file. It took me an hour to download as the file occupies a GB of space.
After downloading all the files for preparation, I first went to the System Update in MIUI.
Lollipop - yummy !
Then in the Manual Installer Choice, I chose the file I’ve just downloaded. My phone restarted as usual and nothing has changed. I shut my phone down. By clicking Volume up and Power button, I entered recovery mode. In this mode, touch screen is disabled. To scroll, Volume Up and Down represents scroll up and down respectively. Click Power button to confirm.
Recovery mode
Next, wipe date/factory reset and wipe cache partition. After doing this, here came the most important part - flashing Android. Select Install Zip. Find and select the “aosp” file that was downloaded at the very beginning. Be patient and wait for about few minutes. There you go the delicious Lollipop !
Features and functions of the new Android
Material design
This is the most attractive feature among the all. A prettier graphical design is available on this version. By this, Android users will no longer be teased by iOS fans for the ugly interface of Android. Together with its beauty, the system is smoother than its former versions. The animation between every frame has improved a lot.
Lock Screen
One of the best functions on iPhone (or iPod) is availability of notification showing on lock screen. This gives users a faster way to read message without unlocking. From now on, Android users, including myself, have no need to be jealous of them. We have an all new lock screen with notification centre.
Battery manager
A really practical upgrade by Google - the battery manager. When the phone is being charged, an assumption of the time needed until full is shown on the lock screen. The value varies when the phone is picked up more or less frequently.
Besides, Google claimed that after turning on the battery saver mode, more 95 minutes of duration will be squeezed up even the battery is nearly dead.
Google Now
In home, with only a swipe to right, the Google Now appears on left. In 5.0, users may wake Google Now up in nearly most pages including lock screen, home, apps and even the device is slept.
Guest mode and Screen Pin
The reason I place these two functions the last is they are not useful for me. The guest user mode isolates your personal data from being accessed on the new account which starts up as a freshly installed system with only stock apps on board. However, for those who owns a device individually, guest mode has no use.
By enabling Screen Pin, you can lock your device to a single app. It is not able to quit the app pinned without the password. This is a great function for people who often lend their device to others such as parents. You may not want them to touch your things in Gallery and Whatsapp. Unless your password is known, others may not quit the app. Unfortunately, I seldom lend my phone to others.
Conclusion
All in all, Android 5.0 is no doubt huge upgrade. I see lots of new upgrades added. The whole system become stronger and more beautiful. Details of every pixel on the screen are designed well. If you have received a push already but still hesitating whether or not you should update, I will tell you definitely “yes you should”.