It's always worth keeping an eye on annual Android and iOS updates and, following Google I/O 2024, we now have the second beta version of Android 15, so it's a good opportunity to summarize everything that's coming to the system. operational this year.
If you would like to participate in beta testing, keeping in mind that these beta versions will have bugs and issues, head here to see if your device is eligible. Google Pixel owners can sign up, and a select number of phones from third-party manufacturers are also included in the program, including phones from OnePlus and Nothing (though not Samsung yet).
Keep in mind that features will be added (and possibly removed) in the coming months as we get closer to the full release of Android 15, which will be around October if Google follows the Android 14 schedule. But for now, here's what new and improved in Android 15 so far.
Better multitasking
Android 15 will improve the multitasking experience on tablets and large screens by allowing you to pin the taskbar permanently to the screen for a more desktop-like experience. What's more, split-screen combinations of apps like Gmail and YouTube can be saved for later recall. These app pairs can also be pinned to the taskbar.
Private space
Android 15 adds a new secure location on your phone, a private space, so you can lock your most sensitive apps and the data they contain. If you use a Samsung phone, there is already something similar called Secure Folder, but it will now be built into Android for all users.
It works by creating a new section in the app drawer that you'll need additional verification (like a passcode or fingerprint) to access. You can install any app you want here, including separate instances of Camera, Google Photos, and Google Chrome, for photos, videos, and web browsing that you really don't want anyone else to see.
predictive back
This strangely named feature means you see a quick preview of what you're about to return when you use the universal back gesture (swipe from the side of the screen). So, for example, you might see a website you just left or the home screen; The idea is that users know what they are returning to before completing the gesture.
Partial screen recording
What's new in Android 15 is the ability to record just part of the screen instead of the entire screen; This is useful if you're preparing a tutorial, troubleshooting a problem, or recording your screen for any other reason. It's available in Android's own screen recording tool and developers can also add it to their own apps.
Redesigned volume sliders
It may not be the biggest change, but you'll see a lot: The panel that appears when you tap the three dots at the bottom of the volume slider now takes up more space on the screen, making it easier to adjust volumes for the media. alarms and calls. You can also access connected Bluetooth devices from the same screen.
Satellite messaging
It looks like Android phones could finally receive satellite messaging, just like the iPhone. We say “could” because while Android 15 will do it officially “expand platform support for satellite connectivity” in terms of software features, this connectivity will also have to be built into hardware and will presumably involve a satellite network partner.
Widget previews
Widgets are nothing new on Android, of course, but typically when you add new ones to the home screen, you only see generic examples of what widgets look like. In Android 15, developers can add rich previews to widgets; For example, when you add a contact widget, you'll be able to preview what it looks like using one of your real contacts.
Set custom vibrations
Something for those of you who always have your phones on silent: Android apps were previously able to set their own custom vibrations, but in Android 15, you'll be able to set them yourself for specific notification channels. So you can have one ringtone for an email and two ringtones for a text message, for example.
One-time password protection
You may have accounts that you log into that are sent to one-time passwords (OTPs) to prove you are who you say you are. On Android 15, notifications with these OTPs will not appear on the screen, minimizing the risk of someone stealing your passwords by looking over your shoulder or somehow recording your screen.
Anti-theft protection
Google is adding a number of features to Android to deter thieves. The theft detection lock, for example, will use ai to detect if your phone is stolen at high speed and then automatically turn on the lock screen. This automatic lock will also activate if your phone is off the network for an extended period or if too many failed authentication attempts are made.
You will also be able to more easily lock your device remotely. All of these features are coming to devices running Android 10 or later sometime this year, but one is exclusive to Android 15: your device can't be reset (a common tactic used by thieves) without access to your account credentials. Google. which means only you can do it.
More convenient access keys
Android 15 also brings with it some useful tweaks to passcode support on your phone – that's where you use a phone unlock method (like a fingerprint scan) instead of a password to log into your Google Account. In the new operating system, the account selection screen and the confirmation screen are combined into one, so it's one less screen to go through. Google is also adding a new restore feature to make it easier to transfer your credentials to a new phone.
And more…
Android updates always include a ton of minor tweaks and improvements that don't necessarily attract much attention but are still welcome. With Android 15, they include more efficient video processing, better handling of apps running in the foreground (an increase in battery life), security protections to prevent malicious apps from hijacking tasks run by reliable apps and Health Connect's ability to leverage more data from more apps over a longer period of time.
And even more…
Then there are the features that haven't been announced but that diligent code researchers have found. Since these updates are disabled and hidden and Google hasn't mentioned them yet, we can't promise that they will make the final release of Android 15. But if you're interested, they include a desktop mode similar to Samsung DeX, a status page for the health of your phone storageand twitter.com/MishaalRahman/status/1782509591126839481″>an extra dim mode This makes it easier to read a phone screen in very dark environments.
Google may decide not to include some of these features in the full version of Android 15, but we'll likely get a few more updates and announcements before then; We are not yet in the final version of the software. .
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