Google's 64-bit Game Plan for the Android L

When Sunder Pichai unveiled the Android L at the Google I/O in June this year, he had mentioned that it would support 64-bit architecture. That was seen as a huge development and major announcement especially for apps developers. They saw the opportunity for apps development on an architecture platform that has hitherto not been available to them despite many OS version changes brought in by Google over the years.

Google’s Clear Game Plan

Now that Google has finally released the 64-bit emulator image, it is clear Google had a definite plan in mind with regard to the Android L. It has made the OS compatible and tuned to the demands of the 64-bit architecture so that it can compete effectively with the iOS 8 if need be. It has also lined up the launch of the Nexus 9 that would also be powered by the equally robust Nvidia Tegra K1 chipset and thus present sufficient choices to the consumer seeking state of the art OS and architecture. This news about the emulator though has not been hyped as much as the Android L. The focus of analysts and consumers over the past 3-4 months has been on the date of launch of the Android L, what it would be named and so on. With the release of the emulator image that can be downloaded by opening the Android SDK manager and the Google Play Store v5.0, users not exposed to the Android L will be able to now know what to expect. Going by initial reports and the tremendous similarity of design in both the Android L and the Google Play Store v5, users have a lot to look forward to.

How Will The 64-bit Actually Help The Android L?

Google believes that this version of the Android L will enhance memory space that can be used to accommodate more registers and also instruction sets of developers. The increase in registers is a compelling reason on its own to welcome the 64-bit apart from stability and faster speed of processing. So what happens to the ARMv8 of Android L? Surely, that cannot be wished away considering the large number of gadgets running on some kind or the other of the ARM SoC. Google would like to continue to develop and enhance the ARMv8 as well and not leave it to somebody like Nvidia. By the looks of it though, with the launch of the Android L next month, users can look forward to some wonderful apps that will run smoothly on the 64-bit engine. Google would like to complement the release of the OS with these apps for a wholesome experience that will encourage more users to try out the Android L. In the bargain, it can roll out apps that can also utilize the Nvidia K1 SoC and make it all the more attractive for users to switch to Android – even iOS loyalists.