Android 15 is on the horizon, and with it comes a wave of exciting new features and improvements. While the official release is still a few months away, Google has begun rolling out Developer Previews, giving us a glimpse into what to expect. Let’s dive into the details!
Saying Goodbye to Dessert Names:
Remember the whimsical codenames like KitKat and Lollipop? Those are a thing of the past. Google has opted for a simpler approach, simply calling the next iteration “Android 15,” though internally it holds the codename “Vanilla Ice Cream.”
The Release Timeline:
The rollout for Android 15 follows a familiar pattern. We’re currently in the Developer Preview stage, which will continue through mid-March. This is followed by beta releases until May. Platform stability, a crucial stage where no new features are added, is expected to be reached by June-July. This allows app developers to test their apps against the finalized platform. The final few releases will focus on bug fixes before the grand public launch, likely alongside the Pixel 9 series in October 2024.
Early Access for Pixel Users:
If you’re rocking a recent Pixel device, you’ll be among the first to experience Android 15. However, for users with other phone brands, the wait might be a bit longer as manufacturers develop their custom interfaces on top of the core Android 15 platform.
What’s New? A Feature Frenzy!
Partial Screen Sharing: Tired of accidentally sharing your entire screen while recording? Android 15 lets you choose! You can now record or share content from just a specific app window, offering more control and privacy.
Notification Cooldown: No more notification overload! This new feature understands your pain. It automatically reduces the volume of consecutive notifications from the same app, preventing a barrage of distracting sounds.
Camera Control Enhancements: Photography enthusiasts rejoice! Android 15 empowers developers with new camera extensions for supported devices. These include improved low-light adjustments and refined flash controls, allowing for more captivating captures.
Silence the Keyboard Chatter: Ever wished you could silence that constant keyboard vibration? Now you can! Android 15 introduces a universal toggle for keyboard vibration control, letting you decide if you want to feel the taps or keep things quiet.
Protecting Sensitive Notifications: Two-factor authentication (2FA) is crucial, but those one-time passwords (OTPs) can be vulnerable. Android 15 steps in with a “sensitive notifications” feature that shields your OTPs from prying eyes of malicious apps.
Bluetooth Gets a Boost: The Bluetooth Quick Settings tile is getting smarter. With Android 15, you can click on it to access a popup dialog. This allows you to manage individual Bluetooth connections, connect/disconnect devices, access settings, and even pair new devices – all from one convenient location.
Health Data Takes Center Stage: Fitness and health enthusiasts will appreciate the improvements to Health Connect by Android. This platform now supports a wider range of data types related to fitness, nutrition, and more, providing a more comprehensive picture of your well-being.
Virtual Instruments Unleashed: Music creation gets a boost with support for Virtual MIDI 2.0 devices. This allows composition apps to interact with synthesizer apps as virtual instruments, opening doors for more creative possibilities.
Enhanced Continuity for Foldables: Owning a foldable phone just got even better. Android 15 lets you customize how apps behave when you fold the device. You can choose to have the front display activate for all apps, only for specific apps like games and videos, or never at all, keeping it locked for added privacy. Additionally, a “swipe up to continue” option might be available in the future, allowing you to resume apps on the cover screen with a simple gesture.
Performance Enhancements Under the Hood:
Android 15 continues to optimize performance with improvements to the Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF). This allows games and demanding apps to interact more effectively with the device’s power and thermal systems. Developers can leverage these APIs to monitor performance and optimize their apps for a smooth and sustainable user experience.
Additionally, Android 15 locks the WebView process into memory, potentially leading to marginal performance improvements for apps that rely heavily on web content rendering.
Security and Privacy Fortified:
Android 15 prioritizes user privacy with the inclusion of the latest Privacy Sandbox on Android initiative. This multi-year project aims to develop more private advertising solutions that minimize data sharing with third parties and eliminate the need for cross-app identifiers. This creates a secure ecosystem that protects user information while maintaining a healthy app environment.
File integrity is also bolstered with the introduction of a new FileIntegrityManager API. This utilizes the “fs-verity” feature in the Linux kernel to ensure
