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 present options in addition to new options that reap the benefits of trendy smartphone {hardware}, together with satellite tv for pc connectivity and foldable screens. Apps may even achieve new skills, resembling 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.
Probably the most notable new options arriving with Android 15 will likely be satellite tv for pc connectivity. Whereas producers may 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 totally different satellite tv for pc networks — together with new UI parts resembling a standing bar icon and interactive notifications, whereas apps can even detect when a handset is linked to a satellite tv for pc and provide messaging providers.
Close to area communication (NFC) assist has been improved on gadgets working on Android 15, permitting smartphones to ‘observe’ or take heed to NFC readers with out responding to them. In the meantime, Google will enable 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 present provide 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 Extremely — at present provide 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 can allow using these apps on foldable telephones’ cowl screens, regardless of their small dimension, in keeping with Google.
With newly added assist for the CTA-2075 loudness normal, Android 15 will allow loudness consistency throughout totally different content material varieties — because of this you will not be consistently reaching for the quantity buttons to regulate the quantity of your cellphone. The Settings app has additionally been up to date with a bit known as Audio sharing which can allow you to handle your Auracast (a brand new Bluetooth ‘broadcasting’ function) periods.
Google may even enable builders to set a particular HDR headroom degree, permitting their apps to stability HDR and SDR content material, as an alternative of the components of display screen displaying the previous overpowering the components displaying SDR content material. Additionally, you will be capable of 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 present obtainable on the most recent model of Android 15 DP 2, and are anticipated to make their strategy to the general public beta releases which are scheduled to start rolling out in April. A few of these options might be additional improved, augmented, or eliminated in upcoming releases. A clearer thought of the Android 15 options is more likely to emerge when the software program reaches platform stability beginning in June, in keeping with the corporate’s schedule.
