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Android Authority this week
Welcome to Android Authority this week!
This week was the closest thing to Christmas we have in the Android World. After a long, long summer, Google finally gave Android L a name (hello, Lollipop!) and launched the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9. Packing new features and a beautiful design language, Lollipop is coming from early November to Nexus devices and the rest of the ecosystem. Meanwhile, the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 impressed with top specifications, though our enthusiasm was dampened by their stingy price tags. The surprise of the event was Nexus Player, an Android TV box made by ASUS. While our eyes were firmly on Mountain View, we also got some news on the powerful Droid Turbo and Sony’s US-bound Xperias.
Welcome to Android Authority this week!
A brave new world
With Lollipop and the Nexus, Android is entering a new era. Android 5 is the biggest update in years, and, coupled with the advent of Material Design, it’s one of the most appealing yet. Google is getting better at design faster than Apple is getting better at web services, as one former member of the iPad team put it, and Lollipop is the living proof.
It’s too early to tell for sure, but if app developers adopt Material in mass, the quality of the ecosystem will be greatly buoyed. With a feature-rich, polished operating system, great apps that take advantage of a common and consistent design language, and tons of compelling devices from many manufacturers, Android is looking better than ever. It’s a great time to be an Android fan!
Inside AA HQ
Our traffic is booming! That’s great news, but on the downside, the influx of new readers is taking its toll on our current server. Our backend systems have struggled under load this week, and for a period we even had trouble publishing new posts. Derek is on it though, and the new box that’s about to go online should keep us rocking even during major spikes, when traffic is five times what we get in a typical day. Thank you for your patience!
Our forums hit 30,000 members – not bad for a new community, eh? Luka is doing a smashing job as a community manager and that shows not only on the forums, but on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus as well. Your questions and inquiries there won’t get unanswered anymore, so don’t be a stranger!
Another week, another hot giveaway. Oh, this week it’s actually two, we are giving away a Nexus 6 in our Sunday Giveaway, and the fine people from Opera have put up an Xperia Z3 for grabs.
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
Here some other interesting posts for your Sunday reading:
- Review: Kevin Nether looks at the mini version of the Galaxy S5
- History: A trip down Nexus memory lane with Simon Hill
- Review: The Galaxy Alpha holds great promise, thinks Lanh Nguyen
- Tech talk: Gary Sims looks at ARM’s efforts to make passwords a memory
- Review: Sony’s new Xperia Z3 is great, but is it special enough?
- Debate: Here’s what AA readers think of the new Nexuses and Lollipop
Top news of the week
And here are the top news in the Android world this week:
Xperias are here
- Sony Xperia Z3 Compact will start shipping by November 3rd in the U.S.
- Xperia Z3 Compact on sale in the US for $529.99 ($477 with student discount!)
- T-mobile’s Xperia Z3 presales begin October 15th, full launch on the 29th
This is the Nexus 9
This is the Nexus 6
Lollipop updates
- Nexus 7 (2012) will also officially see Android 5.0 Lollipop
- Motorola committed to bringing Lollipop to its 2013/2014 lineup
- NVIDIA Shield Tablet to receive Android 5.0 Lollipop ‘and more’
- Sony plans to bring 5.0 Lollipop to all Z series devices
- One (M8) with Lollipop spotted in Bluetooth docs, as HTCpromises speedy updates
- Will my device receive Android Lollipop?
Meet Android 5.0 Lollipop
- Android 5.0 SDK and new Lollipop preview images coming October 17
- Android 5.0 Lollipop official: what you need to know
- Lollipop’s Factory Reset Protection to make thieves’ life harder
- Android 5.0 Lollipop Quick Look (video)
- Download Android 5.0 Lollipop wallpapers and sounds
- Android 5.0 SDK and preview images for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 now available
Nexus Player
Sound off
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Happy Sunday!