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.
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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…
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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.
Here's a first look at the improved desktop windowing capabilities of Android 15.
Since late 2022, Google has quietly been working on improving Android's dormant desktop mode, and they've been focusing on improved windowing support.
Full details plus a video are available in the latest article I wrote for Android Authority.
Since late 2022, Google has quietly been working on improving Android's dormant desktop mode, and they've been focusing on improved windowing support.
Full details plus a video are available in the latest article I wrote for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15 preps better desktop mode with enhanced windowing capabilities
Android has long had a desktop mode, but Google is finally updating it in Android 15 to be more useful by adding better windowing support.
It's been a while since I took a look at Android 15's new Private Space feature, which is basically Google's version of Samsung's Secure Folder.
Since I last covered it, Google updated the setup and added two new settings.
Full details and screenshots of the feature can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.
Since I last covered it, Google updated the setup and added two new settings.
Full details and screenshots of the feature can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15's Private Space is getting more features to hide your apps and notifications
Android 15 is adding a Private Space feature that's basically a built-in app locker, and we have a full look at its setup flow and settings.
According to an email sent to a small number of users, Google is launching its Find My Device network in 3 days, so possibly this coming Sunday or Monday.
9to5Google
Google has revealed the launch date of Android's Find My Device network
In an email to customers, Google has revealed the launch date of Android's new Find My Device network, and it's soon.
Google really doesn't want you to turn off Bluetooth. In light of the upcoming launch of the Find My Device network, Android 15 is adding a Bluetooth auto-on feature that can automatically turn on Bluetooth the next day if you disable it.
You should still be able to ignore the auto-on toggle and disable Bluetooth as usual. There's no indication that you'll be forced to turn on the auto-on feature.
Full details are available in my latest article for Android Authority.
You should still be able to ignore the auto-on toggle and disable Bluetooth as usual. There's no indication that you'll be forced to turn on the auto-on feature.
Full details are available in my latest article for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15 really doesn't want you to turn off Bluetooth
Android 15 will add a new feature that can automatically turn on Bluetooth the next day in case you temporarily disabled it.
The Android 15 update for Pixel phones could add a new "adaptive timeout" feature that automatically turns your device's screen off when you aren't using it.
You can read more about this feature in my latest article for Android Authority.
You can read more about this feature in my latest article for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15 could help protect your data and extend battery life with adaptive timeout
Android 15 may add an adaptive timeout option that automatically turns your device’s screen off when you aren’t using it.
This is a crazy story. An XDA forum user decided to take ASUS to small claims court in the UK (via Android Authority) over the company's shuttering of its bootloader unlock tool, and they allegedly settled by refunding the user for their purchase of the Zenfone 10.
I still think ASUS makes great smartphones and that ZenUI is a really good fork of Android that power users will enjoy, but I can't deny that the company's silence on the bootloader unlock tool is hurting them. An ASUS rep told me last August that they weren't killing off their bootloader unlocking tool, but it's been almost 8 months since then, so I can see why many people don't believe that.
I personally only bootloader unlock devices to test them, so that doesn't factor into my recommendations, but I know that there are some people (mostly power users) who care.
I still think ASUS makes great smartphones and that ZenUI is a really good fork of Android that power users will enjoy, but I can't deny that the company's silence on the bootloader unlock tool is hurting them. An ASUS rep told me last August that they weren't killing off their bootloader unlocking tool, but it's been almost 8 months since then, so I can see why many people don't believe that.
I personally only bootloader unlock devices to test them, so that doesn't factor into my recommendations, but I know that there are some people (mostly power users) who care.