Android 5.0 L currently as update that is already being previewed by some devices and will be made universal soon - ART Runtime. It will replace the outdated Dalvik Runtime for running Android applications on different devices.
According to 3G, one of the best things about the ART Runtime is that it is compatible with the 64-bit architecture, thus offering a swifter and more efficient performance. Here are are four other things people should know about this upcoming feature of the Android L update.
Not All Apps are Compatible With It - Yet
Google made ART Runtime available for experimental trial in late 2013, debuting in Android KitKat. Users had a menu in their Developer Options that allowed them to switch between Dalvik and ART Runtime. Because it was only a trial run, not all apps are compatible with it yet. This will change when ART Runtime replaces Dalvik Runtime officially once Android 5.0 L is released later this year.
It Uses More Storage
According to AndroidPIt, what makes ART Runtime work faster than Dalvik is it makes apps native to the device. Dalvik Runtime works by reading partially compiled apps and interpreting their codes, which makes them run slower. With ART Runtime, all the app data needed is pre-compiled, which removes the need for reading and interpreting the codes. The speed comes at a price: because all data will be pre-compiled into an Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compilation, it uses up more storage.
ART is Much, Much Faster than Dalvik
Android Police said that Android L is expected to run much faster than its predecessors thanks to ART Runtime, but how much faster does it really go? Google released a benchmark chart at the Google I/O event this year showing just how much faster ART Runtime is compared to Dalvik. The benchmark chart shows that ART is twice as fast as Dalvik on average, but there are tests that clock ART at three times faster than Dalvik.
It Consumes Less Battery Life
Previous Android updates have caused distress for users who say the updates quickly drained their batteries. Android L promises to do the opposite - it will save battery life, thanks to ART Runtime. This is because ART skips the need to read and interpret app information, as is the case with Dalvik, therefore requiring less from the device's processor. In turn, the processor requires less power from the battery.
ART Runtime is looking to be a very promising replacement for Dalvik, with its full speed and potential realized when the latest Android firmware is released. It will make its official debut in Android 5.0 L later this year.
Join the Conversation