Google released Android 15 Developer Preview 2, providing developers with an early look at the upcoming major operating system update for Android smartphones. This preview includes enhancements to existing features and new functionalities designed to leverage modern smartphone capabilities like satellite connectivity and foldable screens. Apps will also gain new abilities, such as detecting screen recording. These features are expected to be part of the first open beta set to launch next month.
A significant addition in Android 15 will be satellite connectivity support, offering a more unified user experience across various satellite networks with added UI elements like a status bar icon and interactive notifications. Apps can now detect satellite connections and provide messaging services accordingly.
Improved NFC support on Android 15 allows smartphones to passively interact with NFC readers without actively responding to them. Apps running on this update can identify screen recording and prevent sensitive information from being displayed, offering enhanced data security features.
Foldable smartphones like Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr 40 Ultra will benefit from enhanced support in Android 15, enabling apps to run on compact cover screens through a new property declaration by application developers.
Additionally, Android 15 introduces support for the CTA-2075 loudness standard for consistent volume levels across varied content types. A new Audio Sharing section in the Settings app facilitates managing Auracast sessions, a Bluetooth broadcasting feature.
Developers can now set specific HDR headroom levels to balance HDR and SDR content in their apps, preventing overpowering situations. The update also allows configuring app archiving through the Settings app, offering options to archive or restore apps directly.
These features are currently available in Android 15 DP 2 and will likely be part of the upcoming public beta releases starting in April. Further enhancements or changes may occur before the final release, with a more solid idea of the Android 15 features expected as the software nears platform stability in June.
