The next Android 15 developer preview has just landed – and it hints at four major new features
We’re another step towards the release of Android 15, with Google rolling out the second developer preview of the mobile operating system – and even at this early stage, there are some notable features to keep in mind.
According to Google’s blog post, “Android 15 continues our work to build a platform that helps improve your productivity while giving you new capabilities,” and here those capabilities include connectivity, foldable phone support, better security, and much more.
First, Google has improved support for satellite communications, with new on-screen elements to “ensure a consistent user experience” when connected to a satellite. Satellite messaging (similar to what the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 offer) is technically supported in Android 14, but Android phone makers haven’t taken advantage of it yet.
That the feature is being continually improved in this Android 15 developer preview suggests that 2024 could finally be the year we actually see it appear in a real phone – perhaps the Google Pixel 9 will come later this year, and perhaps existing Pixel phones too .
This new developer preview also lets apps know when a screen recorder is active – which should make it harder to monitor your Android activities without your knowledge or permission for some extra peace of mind.
More improvements
Also added to the new developer preview is a new way for developers to get their apps onto second screens – the small cover screens on phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. That should make those screens more useful and allow them to functions to run a wider variety of apps when the cover screen is active.
Fourth, this latest version of Android 15 also brings better loudness control, which will apparently help users avoid “sound inconsistencies” across apps – so you don’t have to keep reaching for the volume buttons while switching between apps.
As usual with these types of updates, we have a host of smaller technical improvements for developers to take advantage of, which will hopefully mean a better user experience. There are upgrades for font support, HDR display, language switching and more.
We don’t recommend installing a developer preview if you’re not a developer, unless you really want to see what’s going to happen, and you have a spare Android device that you don’t rely on heavily and that you can use for testing. The files you need are on the Preview website for Android 15 developers.
It is likely that the first public beta will be rolled out next month, which will be much more stable. We also know that Google I/O 2024 kicks off on May 14, where there will likely be plenty more news about what else is coming with Android 15.