Early version Android L for Samsung Galaxy S5 leaks out

Samsung seems to be working on a software update for the Galaxy S5 that brings Android L to the device. An early version of the necessary ROM has been leaked, revealing the interface of the upcoming Android version.

The ROM in question came into the hands of SamMobile, which is known to have sources at Samsung. According to the site, the software is not yet suitable for daily use: the firmware is slow and full of bugs, according to SamMobile. For that reason, the rom is not made public and therefore cannot be installed for interested Galaxy S5 owners.

SamMobile has released a video showing a Galaxy S5 with the new software. Among other things, some of the apps that are present by default are shown. The Material Design, previously announced by Google, is clearly present: that is a set of guidelines for the interface that Google provides to manufacturers and application makers. Samsung has therefore provided its self-developed apps with a new lick of paint.

Samsung is likely to release the Android L update over-the-air for owners of the Galaxy S5. When this will happen, however, is not yet clear. It is likely that other devices from the Korean manufacturer, such as the Galaxy S4 and devices from the Note series, will also be equipped with Android L.

Google announced Android L at its I/O developer event. However, the company indicated that the software is still in development, so there are no mobile devices that run this version of Android yet. In Android L, in addition to the introduction of Material Design, the notification system has been expanded and there is more attention to security; for example, encryption on Android L is on by default.