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 reap the benefits of trendy smartphone {hardware}, together with satellite tv for pc connectivity and foldable screens. Apps may even achieve new talents, comparable 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 the notable new options arriving with Android 15 can be satellite tv for pc connectivity. Whereas producers might all the time construct in assist for these options, the arrival of official assist signifies that the consumer interface for this characteristic ought to really feel extra cohesive throughout completely different satellite tv for pc networks — together with new UI parts comparable to a standing bar icon and interactive notifications, whereas apps may also detect when a handset is related to a satellite tv for pc and provide messaging companies.
Close to area communication (NFC) assist has been improved on gadgets operating on Android 15, permitting smartphones to ‘observe’ or take heed to NFC readers with out responding to them. In the meantime, Google will permit apps operating on Android 15 to find out when the display screen is being recorded, enabling them to forestall probably delicate data from being proven on the display screen on the identical time — apps like Google Pay presently 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 — presently provide manufacturer-optimised assist for operating apps (or widgets) on the smaller exterior cowl display screen. With Android 15, software builders can declare a property that can allow the usage of these apps on foldable telephones’ cowl screens, regardless of their small dimension, in accordance with Google.
With newly added assist for the CTA-2075 loudness commonplace, Android 15 will allow loudness consistency throughout completely different content material sorts — which means you will not be continually reaching for the quantity buttons to regulate the quantity 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’ characteristic) classes.
Google may even permit builders to set a particular HDR headroom stage, permitting their apps to steadiness HDR and SDR content material, as an alternative of the elements of display screen displaying the previous overpowering the elements displaying SDR content material. Additionally, you will be capable of configure the app archiving characteristic by way of the Settings app, selecting to archive or restore apps instantly by way of the Settings app.
All of those options are presently accessible on the newest model of Android 15 DP 2, and are anticipated to make their approach to the general public beta releases which are scheduled to start rolling out in April. A few of these options may very well be additional improved, augmented, or eliminated in upcoming releases. A clearer thought of the Android 15 options is prone to emerge when the software program reaches platform stability beginning in June, in accordance with the corporate’s schedule.