Android
Android 15 is here, but it’s not ready for your phone yet
Top 3 Key Points:
- Developer-Only Release: Android 15 is available for developers, with public rollouts expected in the coming months.
- New Features: Includes improved multitasking, enhanced security, and AI-driven screen reader updates.
- Earthquake Alerts: Expanded to cover all of the U.S. using device accelerometer data.
Android 15 has officially launched, but it’s currently only accessible to developers. This latest version of Google’s operating system is now part of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). If you own a Pixel phone, you might see support for Android 15 soon, but users with devices from other brands like Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, or Nothing will need to wait a bit longer. Google has indicated that these devices will receive the update “in the coming months.”
Unlike Apple’s iOS updates, which usually come with noticeable changes, Android updates tend to focus more on enhancing how apps and devices interact. With Android 15, you’ll see improvements like single-tap passkeys, theft detection, better multitasking for larger screens, and the option to limit access to specific apps.
One of the significant features of Android 15 is an update to TalkBack, Android’s built-in screen reader. Google introduced this at its I/O conference earlier this year. The update integrates with Google’s Gemini AI, providing audio descriptions for images on your phone, making it more accessible.
Another exciting addition is the expansion of Google’s Circle to Search feature, now with a Shazam-like capability that identifies songs. After weeks of testing, you can now use this feature to find out the name, artist, and even the YouTube video of a song playing around you, whether it’s from a video you’re watching or over the speakers in a store.
Google is also extending its earthquake alert system across the entire U.S. and its territories. Previously, only residents in California, Oregon, and Washington had access to these alerts through the USGS ShakeAlert system. Now, Google uses data from Android devices’ accelerometers to detect vibrations and determine if an earthquake is happening. This feature has already been rolled out to nearly 100 countries.
Lastly, Android 15 introduces some additional features, such as Chrome’s ability to read webpages aloud and support for offline Google Maps on Wear OS 5 devices. These enhancements further solidify Android’s commitment to improving user experience and accessibility across its ecosystem.