Pinchai Speaks During His Keynote Address at the Google I/O Developers Conference in San Francisco
Sundar Pinchai, Google's senior vice president of Android, Chrome and Apps, speaks during his keynote address at the Google I/O developers conference in San Francisco, June 25, 2014 REUTERS

According to the I/O announcement, the mobile OS will have a flatter feel thanks to Material Design. It will also have a more interactive UI and other screen functions. Recent updates suggest that Google has also included a variety of bug fixes and features to enhance user experience. With Apple set to debut the iOS 8 on September 17, the question now boils down to whether Google can compete with Apple. The Cupertino-based giant's announcement of a more flexible iOS 8 threatens the versatile platform of Google's Android. How will Android L compete against competition?

14 Bug Fixes

In a recent code site sighting, it was also revealed that Android L will have 14 additional fixes. According to Green Bot, one of the primary issues to be addressed through the Android L platform is Hangout's MMS problems. Users complained about not being able to send MMS via their T-Mobile and AT&T networks. Other resolutions reportedly included in the Android L platform include lock screen hang-ups, missing emojis, disappearing notifications and "S" replacing "7" in the dialer.

Performance, Gaming and 64-Bit Architecture

Apple's A7 chip placed pressure on competitors like Android manufacturers to be in the same 64-bit league. It appears that will come through with the Android L update. According to Know Your Mobile, Google has been working with a number of industry leaders to polish the performance of the Android L. The update will feature an ART architecture which is also compatible to the 64-bit structure. It will also be optimized to match a range of processor hardware and memory. This means that Android devices can be more uniform in terms of performance. Other features include high-end kit console-like graphics. Imaging and audio processing will also be enhanced thus the better game potential. Android L will include 24-bit depth and 96kHz sample rates support. The Android platform only featured 16-bit depth and 44/48Khz.

Better Streamlined UI Approach

The design and functionality of mobile user interface are crucial. This affects ease of use and overall experience. Android L will not just go for a "flatter" interface; it will take the UI a few more notches higher. Android L will offer depth control so app developers can fix their depth setting for each UI element. Developers will also have access to the platform's ambient lighting engine. This will allow them to develop dynamic shadows and highlights. According to Know Your Mobile, Google's SDK offers a series of icons, transitions, color pickets, animations including other primary components. This will give developers the chance to present their brands in a standardized or uniform format in different platforms.