Android
5 key features of Android 15 in development
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.
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.
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Android
New Android 15 beta update for Pixel phones
Google is now rolling out the Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3 update for Pixel phones before its official release in March.
This update brings more changes than the usual monthly fixes. It’s perfect for adding new features and making big design changes without waiting for the next big Android update. Google labels these updates as “suitable for general use” because they’re stable enough for everyday use.
Here’s what’s been fixed:
- Phone Calls: No more random restarts when you’re on a call.
- Apps: When you go back to an app from the list of recent apps, it won’t take you to the home screen anymore.
- Language Settings: Fixed a problem where changing languages could make the keyboard hide in some apps.
- Video Recording: Got rid of that annoying clicking sound in the background.
- Wireless Charging: Fixed issues that could stop your phone from charging wirelessly.
Other improvements include:
- Better stability, connection, and how your phone responds.
- Fixed crashes that could happen when starting workouts on connected wearables.
- Stopped system crashes from certain errors.
- The feedback app for beta testers now works without crashing when you report issues.
This update, with the latest security fixes for January 2025, is available for Pixel 6 through to the new Pixel 9 series, including all the variations like Pro and Fold models, and also for the Android Emulator.
You can get this update through the Android Beta Program, or if you prefer, you can manually install it using factory images or OTA files.
Android
Android 15 QPR2 Beta takes away globe icon for single language users
Google is now updating Pixel phones with Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3, and the most noticeable change is the removal of the globe icon from the bottom-right corner of the keyboard when you only use one language.
Back in Android 15 QPR1, Google added a globe icon to the keyboard. When you tapped it, you’d see a list of languages you could choose from, along with the old “Google Voice Typing” option. However, if you only used Gboard with one language, you might find yourself accidentally hitting the globe instead of the enter key, which was annoying since December.
Now, with today’s QPR2 Beta 3 update, if you have just one language set up, the globe icon disappears. This makes things simpler because not many people use Google Voice Typing, especially when they have Gboard or Assistant Voice Typing on Pixel phones.
One vs. Two Languages
If you have more than one language set up in Gboard, the globe icon stays and works like before. A quick tap changes the language, and holding it down opens up a menu for more options.
Android 15 QPR2 is expected to become official in March with the next big Pixel update, with one more small patch coming in February. Right now, Beta 3 seems pretty stable.
Android
Android 16: Easy notification options coming to Android lock screens
If your phone gets lots of notifications every day, your lock screen can get messy. This makes it tough to see your nice background and find the important alerts. Android 16 might fix this with a new way to show notifications.
Back in November, there was a cool but hidden feature in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 called “lock screen notification minimalism.” It made your lock screen cleaner by putting all notifications into one small spot under the clock. You could tap this spot to see all notifications.
In the latest Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3, this feature isn’t there anymore. Instead, there’s a new choice for how notifications look on your lock screen. In the settings, under “Notifications on lock screen,” you can now decide if you want notifications in a tight “compact” mode or in a full list.
The “full list” is set as the default, so Android 16 won’t make everyone use the compact view. Even with compact mode, some notifications might still show fully. We don’t know for sure yet, but it seems like important ongoing notifications might always be visible.
Android 16 might also let you hide notifications you’ve already seen and silent ones, making your lock screen even clearer. These options aren’t active in the current beta, so they might not be in the final Android 15 version. I’ll keep an eye out to see if they make it into Android 16.
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