Google seems to update its Android operating system more regularly than any of its rivals, with more features and innovations bolted on to each subsequent release. Android Jelly Bean is already being savoured by smartphone users across the world, but what about the next major release: Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie? Here are just a few of the current Android 5.0 rumours that are doing the rounds, along with some predictions about what Key Lime Pie features you can expect.

Improved Performance Management

As Android phones become bigger and more powerful, featuring improved connectivity options and more integrated functions, users may find that they have a tougher time managing everything and optimising battery life.

Third-party manufacturers have been attempting to make performance profiles for Android phones recently, but getting this kind of function as standard from Google would be desirable.

This would allow you to switch modes depending on how you are using your phone. For example, you could have a bedtime mode that turns off all but the necessary connections and lets your phone use as little power as possible overnight. If Google builds this into a home-screen widget for Key Lime Pie, Android fans will be pleased as punch.

Cross-Device Support

People who use Android phones tend to be a bit more tech savvy than the average consumer, so they probably have more than one gadget that uses Google’s operating system. The problem is that switching between using an Android phone and tablet lacks a level of cohesion that you might expect from modern devices.

This becomes most obvious when trying to watch a video on one gadget and then pick up from where you left off on another; indeed, it cannot be done at the moment unless you are streaming from within the browser. This is another problem that Google needs to remedy for Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie.

Social Networking

Android’s open-source nature means that there are plenty of apps and widgets out there to keep social network users in touch with their service of choice. However, this is not something that Google has ever really supported as part of Android’s core functionality.

With Key Lime Pie it is hoped that it will do a better job of building Android around social networks other than its own Google+.

Video Calls

This is another case in which Google relies on features to be added by third parties. Most Android phones have front-facing cameras and even the own-brand Nexus devices include this hardware, so why is there no native, unified app for video calling?

Apple has FaceTime and Google needs to create its own equivalent so that the hundreds of millions of Android users have somewhere to chat together. We’re hoping Google take this concept beyond Android 5.0 rumours and turn it into reality.

App Demos

Both iOS and Windows Phone make it easy for app developers to give free access to limited versions of their app, using codes or a built-in system for trialling that makes it easy to get a taste of the product before you buy.

Google needs to follow in the footsteps of its rivals, because at the moment its Play store is saturated with ad-supported apps that eat up data and battery life even if they are free to download.

Android 5.0 Release Date

All these tasty Android 5.0 rumours and potential Key Lime Pie features may sound exciting, but when will users actually be able to get their hands on it?

In 2012 Android 4.1 was launched during the annual IO conference hosted by Google and current reports suggest that Key Lime Pie will make its ddbut at the same event next year.

In 2013 the IO conference is actually being held between the 15th and 17th of May, which is a little earlier than in the past. As such, it is fairly reasonable to predict that this will be the launch window for the next Android update.

Flagship Google smartphones such as the LG Nexus 4,  have the ability to download the latest Android 5.0 features, as they are announced. Visit mobiles.co.uk for the latest Android smartphone releases.