5 Google apps that will give Lollipop look to your phone

Google launched Android 5 aka Lollipop back in October, but so far only a handful of smartphones have been updated to it. Apart from the Google Nexus 6, only a handful of phones have appeared in the last few months running Lollipop right out-of-the-box and fewer have actually received an update to the OS.

However, the good news is that you don't actually need Lollipop on your phone to get the best features of Google's brand new operating system.

We show you how.

The Google Now Launcher

The Google Now launcher is central to the Lollipop like experience. Google has updated its launcher, which debuted back in 2013 when the company launched Android KitKat. The new launcher now adds the material design look and feel that can be found on Google's Nexus devices running Lollipop. The Google Now launcher also ensures that the Google Now contextual assistant is just a swipe away on the home screen. The launcher also adds an element of touch-less control, as users can operate many functions of the device using the 'Okay Google' hot command using speech. To use the launcher, you should at a minimum have a device with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Download Google Now Launcher

Google Keyboard

Google has even updated its stock Android keyboard on the Play Store. The Google Keyboard now adds two themes called 'Material Dark' and 'Material Light'. When you start the keyboard, by default the keyboard will use the old 'Holo' theme, but you can change the theme of the keyboard to either of the new material design themes. Swift Key users can also use new material design themes, but they will need to buy the themes. 

Download Google Keyboard

Google Camera 
Google's Camera app is available on the Play Store and it provides a basic and simple camera interface for shooting photos. While it is not very comprehensive, you may prefer it over a feature-heavy camera app that most manufacturers use in the phones. Basically, it is the design thing. Otherwise, the third-party camera apps are better.  

Download Google Camera 
Gmail

Gmail was one of the first applications Google updated with material design. The Gmail app is pre-installed on most Android phones, though to get the new material design look, you may need to update the app from the Play Store. The new Gmail app also adds support for Exchange mail, which is very popular amongst corporate users. 

Download Gmail 

Messenger

The Messenger app is one of Google's newest apps. On Android Lollipop, the Messenger app replaces the stock Android SMS app. Chances are that your phone already comes with a SMS application, which is better than the old SMS app that Google provided, but still the Messenger app is a handy addition, which is aesthetically beautiful as it uses Material Design and is incredibly functional. Just make sure you don't mix up Google's Messenger app with the one Facebook makes as both have identical names. 

Download Messenger

Google Calender

Google Calender is a staple of Google's suite of apps. It is one of the best calendar apps available on Android. With Lollipop, it too has been updated with the Material Design language, which makes it an aesthetically pleasing calendar option for most users.

Download Calendar

Some core applications found on Android Lollipop running on Nexus smartphone are not available on the Google Play Store. These include the calculator, the clock and the Lock screen. While Google does not offer these apps, there some good options that even incorporate the Material Design language heralded in the new version of the OS.

The L-Locker

The L-Locker app mimics the look and feel of the new lock-screen that Google has added in Android 5.0. It even adds supports for Lollipop style notifications. Other than this, the app adds many new features, which are even missing in Android Lollipop.

Download L Locker

Calculator L

Calculator L adds a Lollipop style calculator, which uses Material Design like principles in its user interface design. The app is pretty straightforward and simple to use. 

Download Calculator L

Clock L

Like Calculator L, Clock L strives to provide a third party clock that looks like the one Google has added in Android Lollipop on its Nexus smartphones. It is compatible with Android Ice Cream Sandwich plus smartphones and tablets and is also highly customisable.

Download Clock L

Other than this, like in the case of the Gmail app, you should update all your preloaded Google Apps, which include Google Search, Google Maps, Google+, Photos,  YouTube, Hangouts, and Google Play Music and Google Drive. Some of these apps will need an update to Google Play Services. Once updated all the apps will add the new look and feel that one gets on a Nexus smartphone running Android Lollipop.

Users can also download Google Doc apps — Docs, Sheets and Slides for productivity. These apps are normally preloaded on Google's Nexus hardware, but for other devices they have to be manually downloaded.