Connect with us

Android

5 key features of Android 15 in development

Published

on

Google Pixel 8 Pro Blue Bay

Android 15 update will be available for compatible devices later this year. Google has been testing the new OS since last month, with more details scheduled to be announced at I/O 2024 in May.

Top 5 features showcased in Android 15 DP2

With the DP2 release, Google officially revealed many Android 15 key features in development. Some of the most interesting are Satellite Connectivity, Screen record detection, Loudness control, Audio sharing, and App archiving.

Satellite Connectivity

Google announced that Android 15 continues to extend platform support for Satellite Connectivity and includes some UI elements to ensure a consistent user experience across the satellite connectivity landscape.

Apps can use ServiceState.isUsingNonTerrestrialNetwork() to detect when a device is connected to a satellite, giving them more awareness of why full network services may be unavailable.

In addition, the upcoming Android upgrade to your Pixel will provide support for SMS/ MMS applications as well as preloaded RCS applications to use satellite connectivity for sending and receiving messages.

Android 15 DP2 Satellite Connectivity Notification

Image: Google

Screen Record Detection

Screen record detection is another key feature in development for Android 15. It adds support for apps to detect that they are being recorded. If any app performs a sensitive operation, you will be informed that the screen is being recorded.

Loudness Control

The new OS also supports the CTA-2075 loudness standard. It helps apps avoid audio loudness inconsistencies and ensures users don’t have to adjust the volume when switching between content constantly.

It leverages known characteristics of the output devices (headphones, speaker) along with loudness metadata available in AAC audio content to adjust the audio loudness and dynamic range compression levels intelligently.

Audio Sharing

Testers can now initiate and join collaborative listening sessions through the “Audio Sharing” page within Settings. This feature offers shared audio experiences, allowing a group of users to enjoy content together with ease.

App Archiving

Android 15 introduces App Archiving features, letting you Archive an app to reduce occupied space. It’s like uninstalling an app without losing settings and app data. We discussed the App Archiving in detail, read here.

Stay up-to-date on Google Pixel, Android & Tech Stuffs by following I M Judge on X/Twitter where you can also discover the latest news, polls, reviews, and new features for Google Apps, Pixel Phones, and the Android operating system.

Do you like this post? Kindly, let us know on X/Twitter: we love hearing your feedback! If you prefer using other social platforms besides X, do follow/join us on Facebook and Telegram.

Android

Google Pixel 10 series codenames leak: here’s what to expect

Published

on

Google

Top 3 Key Points:

  1. Pixel 10 Codenames Revealed: Codenames for the Pixel 10 series include ‘Frankel’, ‘Blazer’, and ‘Mustang’.
  2. Pixel 9a and Pixel 10 Release Timeline: Pixel 9a is expected in May 2025, and Pixel 10 series is set for Fall 2025.
  3. Commitment to Compact Pro Models: Google plans to continue with smaller Pro models, following Pixel 9 Pro’s success.

The next generation of Google Pixel phones is already making waves, even before the current lineup fully hits the market. We now have insider details on the codenames for Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 series, which are expected to launch in Fall 2025.

Pixel 9a and Pixel 10 Codenames

The upcoming Pixel 9a, expected around Google I/O in May 2025, will carry the codename ‘Tegu’. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 series will introduce a variety of devices, each with its codename. The Pixel 10 itself is codenamed ‘Frankel’, while the larger Pixel 10 Pro is dubbed ‘Blazer’. For those who prefer an even bigger screen, the Pixel 10 Pro XL will go by the codename ‘Mustang’.

Not to be left out, foldable fans can look forward to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, codenamed ‘Rango’. Just like previous foldable models, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will launch alongside the rest of the Pixel 10 series in the fall.

Compact Pro Phones Remain in the Lineup

Google’s decision to release a smaller flagship phone, the Pixel 9 Pro, in 2024 was well-received. Unlike Apple’s iPhone Mini models or Sony’s Xperia 5 series, Google’s compact Pro phone doesn’t cut corners—it offers the same premium features as its larger counterpart, with only minor differences in screen size and battery capacity. The success of the Pixel 9 Pro has encouraged Google to continue offering this option in the Pixel 10 series.

While other brands like Samsung offer smaller flagship phones, they often lack the full specs of their larger counterparts. Google’s smaller Pixel Pro stands out by maintaining flagship-level performance in a compact form, ensuring it meets the needs of users who want power without the bulk.

What’s Next for Google Pixel?

As we look ahead to 2025, the Pixel 10 series seems poised to continue Google’s trend of offering powerful, innovative smartphones. While the Pixel 9a will arrive in early 2025, the fall launch of the Pixel 10 lineup promises to deliver something for every type of smartphone user, from compact models to foldable devices.

Google’s commitment to providing high-performance phones across a range of sizes shows a clear focus on meeting diverse user preferences, ensuring the Pixel series stays competitive in the ever-evolving smartphone market.

Source

Continue Reading

Android

Android 15 brings new features to Android Automotive: dock, bluetooth upgrades, and cross-device notifications

Published

on

Android Automotive

Top 3 Key Points:

  1. Android 15 introduces a new home screen dock and enhanced Bluetooth capabilities for Android Automotive.
  2. Notifications may soon sync across multiple Android devices, according to code found in the latest beta.
  3. Improved audio controls and better support for multi-camera and radio systems are part of this update.

Android 15 for Android Automotive Adds New Features

With the release of Android 15, Google has also updated its Android Automotive platform, bringing several useful new features to vehicles. While Google hasn’t officially provided all the details, some key improvements have already been spotted.

New Features in Android Automotive
Android Automotive is different from Android Auto. Instead of connecting to your phone, it’s a version of Android that runs directly on a vehicle’s dashboard, powering the whole in-car experience. In Android 15, one of the biggest updates is the addition of a home screen dock, much like the one seen on Android Auto and tablets. This dock lets you “pin” your favorite apps for quick access, which will be helpful for drivers who want fast access to certain controls or apps.

Another feature coming to Android Automotive is an improved lock screen and a new “Ambient View” option that displays a screensaver when the system is idle.

Bluetooth and Audio Upgrades
Android 15 also brings enhancements for audio, including a new option to route sound to external Bluetooth devices like earbuds or headphones. This will give users more control over how they listen to media or calls in the car. Additionally, the update offers full support for HD and DAB radio, giving manufacturers more options to improve in-car audio quality.

Syncing Notifications Across Devices
In addition to improvements for cars, Android 15 may soon solve a common issue for people with multiple Android devices: unsynced notifications. A new “sync across devices” feature was spotted in the latest beta, suggesting that Google is working on a way to keep notifications synchronized between phones and tablets. If this feature rolls out, dismissing a notification on your phone would automatically clear it from your tablet, eliminating the need to manage duplicate notifications.

Although it’s unclear if this feature will be available on all Android devices or just Google Pixel phones, it’s promising to see Google working on features that help Android users manage their devices more smoothly.

What This Means for Android Users
This update continues Google’s long-term goal of creating a connected Android ecosystem. By improving how Android devices and services work together, Google is aiming to make life easier for users, no matter what type of device they use. Android 15’s improvements for Android Automotive, Bluetooth, and cross-device functionality are a step in that direction, and more features are expected to follow.

Continue Reading

Android

Android Launcher developers unite to urge Google for improvements and Chrome’s address bar switch set for final return

Published

on

Google

Top 3 Key Points:

  1. Android launcher developers collaborate to push Google for better user experience due to ongoing issues.
  2. A survey was launched to gather data, aimed at fixing bugs and improving third-party launcher compatibility.
  3. Chrome for Android is likely to reintroduce the bottom address bar switch, ending user frustrations.

Third-party Android launchers like Nova, Lawnchair, and Niagara have long been popular for customizing home screens, but recently, their quality has suffered. Due to Android updates, users are facing issues such as lagging animations, gesture failures, and missing features like screenshots or RAM data. This degradation in performance has frustrated both users and developers.

In response, leading launcher developers are teaming up to address the situation. They’ve launched a survey to gather data on the various issues affecting launchers across different Android devices. The goal is to compile this information and present it to Google’s Android team at an event in October. Developers hope this feedback will prompt Google to take action and improve the overall launcher experience.

Smart Launcher shared the survey link on X (formerly Twitter), encouraging users to participate. The more feedback collected, the stronger the case for Google to address these issues. The survey covers basic information like Android version, device, and launcher type, aiming to give a clear picture of the problem.

At the same time, Google Chrome for Android is working on a feature that has been requested for years: moving the address bar to the bottom of the screen. Although this feature existed in the past, Google removed it several times, frustrating many users, especially those with larger phones. Recent code leaks in the Canary version of Chrome suggest that the bottom address bar may soon return, possibly for good.

This feature is already available on iOS, and its reintroduction could satisfy Android users who have been asking for it. While Google hasn’t confirmed an official release date, the change would improve one-handed usability, making the mobile browsing experience more user-friendly.

For now, both launcher developers and Chrome users are eagerly awaiting updates from Google. If the company listens, these changes could enhance both the customization and browsing experience on Android devices.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 I AM Judge