We have recently released Android 15..The latest updates are detailed here

Summary

With the official announcement of Android 15 and the first developer beta published less than a month ago, Google has been busy with software updates. With the release of Android 15 Developer Preview 2, Google has included certain functionality that was missing from the first preview.

If this is the second developer preview, then what has changed? What follows is a list of the most important items to remember.

Updates to satellite connection

Since Apple debuted satellite connection with the iPhone 14 series, it has been a major topic of conversation about smartphones. Now, Android 15 will make sure you know precisely when you’re connected and what you can do with your satellite connection, for Android phones that ultimately provide the capability.

Above, you can see that with Android 15, a notice will be shown to let you know that you’re linked to a satellite network. Additionally, in the top right corner, you’ll see a satellite symbol, and the top left corner will display the name of your satellite network. Not only that, Android 15 “allows SMS/MMS apps and preloaded RCS apps to use satellite connectivity for sending and receiving messages.”

Enhanced functionality for flip phones

A large portion of the current crop of folding phones consists of flip phones, such as the Motorola Razr Plus and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. You can run entire programs on such tiny screens on these phones, which feature a little cover screen on the front.

Developers may now simply enable their applications to operate on these cover screens with Android 15. “These screens are too small to be considered as compatible targets for Android apps to run on, but your app can opt-in to supporting them, making your app available in more places,” (Googe adds in its news release). Better app experiences on cover screens should be the general outcome. You get a thrill out of seeing it since you’re a flip phone foldable enthusiast.

advancements in NFC

Even though near-field communication (NFC) isn’t the most interesting smartphone specification, it’s crucial if you use Google Wallet to make contactless payments. This is yet another domain that Android 15 tackles.

To handle PollingFrame objects, applications on “supported devices” may “request the NfcAdapter enter observe mode,” according to Google. This means the device will listen to NFC readers but won’t reply to them. To put it more simply, this implies that your phone’s NFC interactions should be more seamless than before. Even though near-field communication (NFC) is already quite functional on Android phones, version 15 should eliminate the need to repeatedly hold the phone to an NFC scanner before it ultimately works.

Additional changes to Android 15

So, there have been some improvements to NFC, cover screen support for foldables, and satellite connection. Am I missing anything? A slew of other changes are coming to Android 15 Developer Preview 2 as follows:

Innovative PDF tools. Android 15 enhances its PDF APIs with more features, simplifying the display of password-protected PDFs, search functionality, editing capabilities, and more.

Language switching is improved. The update to Android 14 brought multi-language voice recognition, and now it’s becoming much better with Android 15. More specifically, it should make it easier to avoid dropping words while speaking into your phone, which is particularly helpful if you often switch languages when talking.
Additional developer resources. Android 15 DP 2 has a plethora of development tools, as one would expect from a developer preview. More information about how applications use storage space, an API to aid developers with app starting, and other features are also part of this.

Android 15 DP 2: Is it worth downloading?

Devices include the Google Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 range of smartphones, as well as the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet, are now receiving the Android 15 Developer Preview 2. Would you want me to suggest that you get it?

Our first developer preview advice is relevant even now. No, Android 15 DP 2 is not something the average person should install. Developer Preview 2 is primarily targeted towards developers rather than general users, as implied by its name. You’re better off sitting on the sidelines and enjoying Android 15 until we get to that stage (the first beta release is scheduled for April).