Google Teases Android 5.0 While Reports Tip Unified Design Across Devices

Google has teased the existence of the next version of Android, v5.0, via an image online. For now, features remain unconfirmed, though multiple reports indicate the next Android OS will bring a major design overhaul over the existing Android 4.4.3 KitKat.

For those who have not yet noticed, it has been understood that each of Google's Nexus devices on Google Play show the time 4:40 on top right corner, to reflect the current latest version of the OS - Android 4.4 KitKat. This has been followed since the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS.

However, in one of the latest tweets, Google has posted an image of three Nexus 5 smartphones and has stated "Get the latest #WorldCup match scores and schedules with Google Now on iOS and @Android," followed by Google Now's link. Interestingly, all three smartphones show the time 5:00, indicating the existence of Android 5.0 OS version.

Since the tweet was posted just two weeks before the onset of Google I/O 2014 event, we are assuming that Google might just give a surprise and unveil Android 5.0 OS. Not only the next Android OS, but also Android TV or Google's Project Hera might also become official.

It's worth noting that since we have been witnessing a number of design changes in Gmail and Calendar via some leaks, it can be possible that Google might also announce the same officially.

Android Police has detailed these alleged design changes and has come up with the theory of Quantum Paper. Quantum Paper is said to be a common design framework for developers through which they can make a unified OS experience on each device which includes smartphones, tablets or PCs. One of the key components of Quantum Paper is said to be Polymer, an extended Web component which the developers can work upon to create Web apps.

Some of the Polymer icons were also showcased last year at the Google I/O, where the Mountain View giant had said it wants "this elegant UI framework that works across all form factors, all devices." UI shown off had included icons, one of which we can see at today's date in the form of Camera app icon. A whole bunch of similarly-styled icons were also leaked in April in an image.