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 benefit from trendy smartphone {hardware}, together with satellite tv for pc connectivity and foldable screens. Apps may also achieve new skills, comparable to detecting when the display 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 can be satellite tv for pc connectivity. Whereas producers might all the time construct in help for these options, the arrival of official help implies that the person interface for this function 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 supply messaging companies.
Close to area communication (NFC) help has been improved on units 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 is being recorded, enabling them to forestall probably delicate info from being proven on the display on the identical time — apps like Google Pay presently supply this performance when display 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 supply manufacturer-optimised help for operating apps (or widgets) on the smaller exterior cowl display. With Android 15, software builders can declare a property that can allow using these apps on foldable telephones’ cowl screens, regardless of their small measurement, in accordance with Google.
With newly added help for the CTA-2075 loudness customary, Android 15 will allow loudness consistency throughout completely different content material sorts — because of this you will not be continually 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 is able to allow you to handle your Auracast (a brand new Bluetooth ‘broadcasting’ function) periods.
Google may also permit builders to set a particular HDR headroom stage, permitting their apps to steadiness HDR and SDR content material, as a substitute of the components of display exhibiting 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 straight by way of the Settings app.
All of those options are presently accessible on the most recent model of Android 15 DP 2, and are anticipated to make their solution to the general public beta releases which can be 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 more likely to emerge when the software program reaches platform stability beginning in June, in accordance with the corporate’s schedule.
