What new features and changes might we see in Android 15?
I did a presentation this week at the bi-monthly AOSP and AAOS meetup that goes over a lot of the hidden and under-the-hood platform changes and features that are coming to Android 15.
Note: This talk was recorded BEFORE Google released Android 15 DP2, so some info is outdated. DP2 includes the PDFViewer, CrashRecovery module, Auracast settings, taskbar pinning, app archiving, swipe up to continue, and UVC webcam update I mentioned in the talk.
I did a presentation this week at the bi-monthly AOSP and AAOS meetup that goes over a lot of the hidden and under-the-hood platform changes and features that are coming to Android 15.
Note: This talk was recorded BEFORE Google released Android 15 DP2, so some info is outdated. DP2 includes the PDFViewer, CrashRecovery module, Auracast settings, taskbar pinning, app archiving, swipe up to continue, and UVC webcam update I mentioned in the talk.
YouTube
What to expect in Android 15
Android 15 is coming this year. What new platform features will be added in the latest version of the Android OS?
In this talk, you'll hear an overview of all the hidden and under-the-hood platform changes and features that are coming to Android 15 and beyond.…
In this talk, you'll hear an overview of all the hidden and under-the-hood platform changes and features that are coming to Android 15 and beyond.…
At IETF 119, a SWE from Google shared an overview of the current Internet draft for Detecting Unwanted Location Tracker (DULT), which details how tracker tags like AirTags can be detected.
The presentation reiterates that Android and iOS are referring to v01 of the draft — released on December 20, 2023 — for implementing initial support of DULT.
As a reminder, Google says they are waiting on Apple to roll out unwanted tracker alert detection in iOS before they launch the Find My Device network.
(Sidenote, it's amusing that Android can better detect AirTags than iOS can. Apparently, iOS doesn't support actively scanning for nearby AirTags, only passively scanning for them?)
Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers presentation at IETF 119 |
Unwanted Tracking Scenarios and Implications for DULT Protocol Design at IETF 119
For more info on the status of Google's Find My Device network, read this article I recently wrote for Android Police.
The presentation reiterates that Android and iOS are referring to v01 of the draft — released on December 20, 2023 — for implementing initial support of DULT.
As a reminder, Google says they are waiting on Apple to roll out unwanted tracker alert detection in iOS before they launch the Find My Device network.
(Sidenote, it's amusing that Android can better detect AirTags than iOS can. Apparently, iOS doesn't support actively scanning for nearby AirTags, only passively scanning for them?)
Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers presentation at IETF 119 |
Unwanted Tracking Scenarios and Implications for DULT Protocol Design at IETF 119
For more info on the status of Google's Find My Device network, read this article I recently wrote for Android Police.
Android 15 now blocks you from installing apps built for Android 6.0 Marshmallow and older.
Previously, Android 14 introduced a change that blocked users from installing apps built for Android 5.1 Lollipop and older.
You can read more details about this security change in this article I wrote for Android Police.
Previously, Android 14 introduced a change that blocked users from installing apps built for Android 5.1 Lollipop and older.
You can read more details about this security change in this article I wrote for Android Police.
Android Police
Android 15 is pulling the plug on apps built for Android Marshmallow
Google really doesn’t want you to install outdated apps for your own safety
The stock gallery apps on OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, and Xiaomi devices now have full integration with Google Photos, meaning you can view and edit all your cloud-hosted photos right from the stock gallery app!
More details can be found in this article on Android Police.
More details can be found in this article on Android Police.
Android Police
Your Google Photos library can now appear in OnePlus and Xiaomi's gallery apps
If you prefer your OEM’s stock gallery app for editing but rely on Google Photos for cloud backups, you won’t have to pick and choose anymore
Mishaal's Android News Feed
Photo
One UI 6.1 will begin rolling out on March 28 for the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, Z Fold 5, and Z Flip 5. It'll also roll out starting this week for the Tab S9 series!
If you want to know what features it'll bring, check out the quoted post for a summary!
If you want to know what features it'll bring, check out the quoted post for a summary!
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Circle to Search is rolling out to the Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7a and will be coming soon to the Fold and Tablet!
It's also rolling out to the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Tab S9 series with the One UI 6.1 update!
Soon, Circle to Search will also be able to translate text in-line!
It's also rolling out to the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Tab S9 series with the One UI 6.1 update!
Soon, Circle to Search will also be able to translate text in-line!
Wondering what's new in the latest Android 15 Developer Preview 2?
I did a recap on last night's Android Faithful podcast that I just uploaded to YouTube!
Why watch my recap? I'm the guy who first found/documented most extensively nearly all the features in this DP (as well as most DPs/Betas for past Android releases).😉
I did a recap on last night's Android Faithful podcast that I just uploaded to YouTube!
Why watch my recap? I'm the guy who first found/documented most extensively nearly all the features in this DP (as well as most DPs/Betas for past Android releases).😉
YouTube
Android 15 Developer Preview 2: What's new
The second Developer Preview build of Android 15 was released last week, and as usual, I dug through the build to find out what's new.
Here's a summary of everything new in Android 15 DP2 for both developers as well as for users. This summary was recorded…
Here's a summary of everything new in Android 15 DP2 for both developers as well as for users. This summary was recorded…
Google has announced that they will indeed bring Gemini Nano support to the regular Pixel 8!
For reference, earlier this month, a Googler during #TheAndroidShow said that Gemini Nano wouldn't be coming to the Pixel 8 because of "some hardware limitations." The limitation in question is memory: the Pixel 8 has 8GB of RAM while the 8 Pro has 12GB.
Gemini Nano is the mobile optimized version of the Gemini LLM that's currently available on the Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 series. Gemini Nano powers the summarization feature in the Pixel Recorder app as well as Smart Reply in Gboard when using messaging apps likes WhatsApp.
Google says that Gemini Nano will roll out to Pixel 8 users as a "developer preview" in the "next Pixel Feature Drop", ie. the June 2024 Pixel Feature Drop which will also bring Android 14 QPR3. Gemini Nano on the Pixel 8 might not perform as well as it does on the Pixel 8 Pro due to differences in memory specs, which is likely why it's being offered as a developer preview.
For reference, earlier this month, a Googler during #TheAndroidShow said that Gemini Nano wouldn't be coming to the Pixel 8 because of "some hardware limitations." The limitation in question is memory: the Pixel 8 has 8GB of RAM while the 8 Pro has 12GB.
Gemini Nano is the mobile optimized version of the Gemini LLM that's currently available on the Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 series. Gemini Nano powers the summarization feature in the Pixel Recorder app as well as Smart Reply in Gboard when using messaging apps likes WhatsApp.
Google says that Gemini Nano will roll out to Pixel 8 users as a "developer preview" in the "next Pixel Feature Drop", ie. the June 2024 Pixel Feature Drop which will also bring Android 14 QPR3. Gemini Nano on the Pixel 8 might not perform as well as it does on the Pixel 8 Pro due to differences in memory specs, which is likely why it's being offered as a developer preview.
Android 15 is adding support for a new feature that tells the device's radio not to share location data with your cellular network for any non-emergency requests.
This could prevent malicious "Stingray" devices from abusing location requests typically reserved for emergency scenarios.
Full details are available in this article I wrote for Android Authority.
This could prevent malicious "Stingray" devices from abusing location requests typically reserved for emergency scenarios.
Full details are available in this article I wrote for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15 may let you control when your location is shared with carriers
Android 15 is adding a new location privacy feature that can block location requests from carriers for non-emergency use cases.
Android 15 is preparing to add new protections against 'stingray' tracking devices.
These include a warning when a cellular network collects your device's IMSI/IMEI as well as when the network uses a new ciphering algorithm for the connection.
More details can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.
These include a warning when a cellular network collects your device's IMSI/IMEI as well as when the network uses a new ciphering algorithm for the connection.
More details can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15 may protect you from rogue 'stingray' tracking devices
Android 15 will warn you when you’re connected to an insecure network or when one tries to record your device’s ID.
Android 15 DP2 added a setting that disables limiting the maximum frame rate for games at 60Hz, which many people took to mean that you'll be able to play any game at frame rates above 60fps.
Sorry, but that won't be the case. You can read more about this upcoming feature in this article I wrote on Android Authority.
Sorry, but that won't be the case. You can read more about this upcoming feature in this article I wrote on Android Authority.
Android Authority
Sorry, Android 15's new frame rate override feature won't work for most games
A new Android 15 developer feature could force some Android games locked at 60fps to run at higher frame rates.
Here's a first look at the upcoming volume panel redesign in Android 15. It's now collapsible!
What do you think of this new design?
What do you think of this new design?
Android Authority
Android 15 could revamp the volume panel and make it collapsible
Android 15 is preparing a big redesign of the system volume panel that also makes it collapsible. Here's what it looks like.
Google has published the Android Security Bulletin (ASB) for April 2024, detailing the vulnerabilities addressed in the 2024-04-0X security patch level (SPL). Patches are available for Android 12-14.
This month, there are no vulnerabilities in AOSP components with a severity rating of "critical." Also, there are no security issues addressed by Google Play System Updates this month.
This month, there are no vulnerabilities in AOSP components with a severity rating of "critical." Also, there are no security issues addressed by Google Play System Updates this month.
To improve accessibility, Android 15 is adding new "color contrast" settings that lets users adjust the contrast of text, buttons, and icons to make them stand out more in apps.
Full details + screenshots in my (first) article for Android Headlines.
Full details + screenshots in my (first) article for Android Headlines.
Android Headlines
Android 15's color contrast settings will make apps easier to read
Google wants to make Android as accessible as possible, which is why they're adding new color contrast settings in Android 15.
Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 brings the new "high quality mode" to the USB webcam feature. This mode was first added to Android 15 Developer Preview 2, but in QPR3 Beta 2.1, there's now a dialog that tells you exactly what the mode does.
During my testing on a Pixel 8 Pro, I noted that the battery drain/temperature wasn't much of a concern even after hours of use. However, YMMV.
For more details on this "high quality mode", refer to my previous article on Android Authority.
During my testing on a Pixel 8 Pro, I noted that the battery drain/temperature wasn't much of a concern even after hours of use. However, YMMV.
For more details on this "high quality mode", refer to my previous article on Android Authority.
Android 15 is preparing to revamp some status bar icons, bringing back a design element we haven't seen since Android 4.4!
You can read more details and see all my screenshots of these new icons in the latest article I wrote for Android Authority.
What do you think of these potential new status bar icon designs?
You can read more details and see all my screenshots of these new icons in the latest article I wrote for Android Authority.
What do you think of these potential new status bar icon designs?
Android Authority
Android 15 prepares revamped status bar with new icons and haptics
Android 15 may revamp the status bar icons for Wi-Fi, mobile data, and battery as well as add haptic feedback to Quick Settings.
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Circle to Search is rolling out in-line translation support!
Google announced last week that Circle to Search would add a new button that lets you instantly translate text on screen, and this has now started to roll out to some users.
(Thanks to Rahul on Telegram for the tip!)
You may need to be on the latest beta version of the Google App for this to work. You also, of course, need a device that supports Circle to Search, which currently includes the Pixel 6 or later, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Google announced last week that Circle to Search would add a new button that lets you instantly translate text on screen, and this has now started to roll out to some users.
(Thanks to Rahul on Telegram for the tip!)
You may need to be on the latest beta version of the Google App for this to work. You also, of course, need a device that supports Circle to Search, which currently includes the Pixel 6 or later, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Mishaal's Android News Feed
OnePlus is rolling out an update to the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 12 in China that adds several AI features, likely in a bid to compete with Samsung. According to the changelog: "* Al Summariser is now available to help generate call summaries by extracting…
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
OnePlus is bringing some of these new AI features to global users with a new update.
Today, OnePlus announced "OnePlus AI", the company's suite of generative AI features in OxygenOS. The first feature is called AI Eraser, and it lets you select and remove unwanted objects in images from the Photo Gallery. AI Eraser will then fill in a replacement background as seamlessly as possible.
This feature is rolling out gradually this month to the OnePlus 12, OnePlus 12R, OnePlus 11, OnePlus Open, and the OnePlus Nord CE 4.
Today, OnePlus announced "OnePlus AI", the company's suite of generative AI features in OxygenOS. The first feature is called AI Eraser, and it lets you select and remove unwanted objects in images from the Photo Gallery. AI Eraser will then fill in a replacement background as seamlessly as possible.
This feature is rolling out gradually this month to the OnePlus 12, OnePlus 12R, OnePlus 11, OnePlus Open, and the OnePlus Nord CE 4.
Google's Find My Device network is finally starting to roll out...kinda!
Google seems to have quietly flipped the switch to show the FMDN settings page for some users (H/T AssembleDebug) running the latest Play Services beta release. This page lets you opt in to the FMDN, as shown above.
However, these same users have NOT received the notification introducing/asking them to opt into the FMDN. Thus, this doesn't seem like a true roll out of the network. The feature is kind of useless without a broader roll out anyway, since the network relies on many people opting in to so devices can locate one another.
I asked a contact at Google about whether FMDN is actually rolling out and will update y'all if I hear back.
By the way, if you want to know why the FMDN hasn't launched yet, read this article I wrote. If you want to know how the FMDN works, then read this article I wrote.
Google seems to have quietly flipped the switch to show the FMDN settings page for some users (H/T AssembleDebug) running the latest Play Services beta release. This page lets you opt in to the FMDN, as shown above.
However, these same users have NOT received the notification introducing/asking them to opt into the FMDN. Thus, this doesn't seem like a true roll out of the network. The feature is kind of useless without a broader roll out anyway, since the network relies on many people opting in to so devices can locate one another.
I asked a contact at Google about whether FMDN is actually rolling out and will update y'all if I hear back.
By the way, if you want to know why the FMDN hasn't launched yet, read this article I wrote. If you want to know how the FMDN works, then read this article I wrote.