Android 15 Developer Preview 2 was launched by Google on Thursday, permitting builders to check out an early model of the corporate’s subsequent main working system replace for Android smartphones. The second preview comes with a number of enhancements to current options in addition to new options that make the most of trendy smartphone {hardware}, together with satellite tv for pc connectivity and foldable screens. Apps will even acquire new talents, similar to detecting when the display screen is being recorded. Most of those options are anticipated to be part of the primary open beta scheduled to reach subsequent month.
One of essentially the most notable new options arriving with Android 15 shall be satellite tv for pc connectivity. While producers might all the time construct in assist for these options, the arrival of official assist signifies that the consumer interface for this function ought to really feel extra cohesive throughout completely different satellite tv for pc networks — together with new UI components similar to a standing bar icon and interactive notifications, whereas apps may detect when a handset is linked to a satellite tv for pc and supply messaging companies.
Near area communication (NFC) assist has been improved on units working on Android 15, permitting smartphones to ‘observe’ or hearken to NFC readers with out responding to them. Meanwhile, Google will permit apps working on Android 15 to find out when the display screen is being recorded, enabling them to forestall doubtlessly delicate data from being proven on the display screen on the identical time — apps like Google Pay at the moment supply this performance when display screen recording is enabled on iOS.
Foldable smartphones — particularly clamshell-style handsets just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra — at the moment supply manufacturer-optimised assist for working apps (or widgets) on the smaller exterior cowl display screen. With Android 15, software builders can declare a property that may allow the usage of these apps on foldable telephones’ cowl screens, regardless of their small measurement, based on Google.Â
With newly added assist for the CTA-2075 loudness commonplace, Android 15 will allow loudness consistency throughout completely different content material sorts — which means that you will not be continually reaching for the amount buttons to regulate the amount of your telephone. The Settings app has additionally been up to date with a bit referred to as Audio sharing which is able to allow you to handle your Auracast (a brand new Bluetooth ‘broadcasting’ function) classes.
Google will even permit builders to set a selected HDR headroom stage, permitting their apps to stability HDR and SDR content material, as an alternative of the elements of display screen displaying the previous overpowering the elements displaying SDR content material. You will even be capable to configure the app archiving function by way of the Settings app, selecting to archive or restore apps immediately by way of the Settings app.
All of those options are at the moment out there on the newest model of Android 15 DP 2, and are anticipated to make their strategy to the general public beta releases which might be scheduled to start rolling out in April. Some of those options may very well be additional improved, augmented, or eliminated in upcoming releases. A clearer concept of the Android 15 options is prone to emerge when the software program reaches platform stability beginning in June, based on the corporate’s schedule.
