Android 15 Introduced: These 8 Interesting Features Coming

21 May 2024

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At I/O 2024, Google introduced more Android 15 features to the world. Here is what Android fans can look forward to.

Google announced various advances in Mountain View, California, including changes that come to its products, and of course, more about Android 15. The latest version of the most used mobile operating system will be present later this year, and during the company’s I/O conference, we get a better understanding of what it will be able to do by this new version.

All New Features in Android 15

Android 15 will bring a lot of updates, but it won’t make Android unrecognizable. Google continues to build on the mature Android Material You and platform, while helping to adapt to new form factors such as folding devices. In addition, the privacy-focused approach is further strengthened, the possibility to compete better with all the privacy features on Apple’s iOS.

In addition to the new AI-based features supported by Gemini, as well as the features that have been found in the initial beta of the system, here are eight new features confirmed by Google that will come with Android 15.

1. Private space

Android phones already have a feature that lets you lock certain apps behind your fingerprint or password for some time, but now, Google builds this capability directly into Android through private space.

This feature lets you lock any app that you don’t want to see or use by curious eyes, such as banking or health applications. The data and notifications of the app will be isolated so that it remains completely hidden, and you can even hide the existence of your personal space completely. This feature uses your fingerprint for security, but you can always set up custom keys if you want to make it more difficult to solve.

Obviously, third-party companies will integrate personal space in various ways, but the basis of this feature will now be rooted in Android 15.

2. Better experience on bigger screen

Android 15 should make it easier for developers to customize their apps for larger screens found on tablets and folding devices, thanks to the new Compose AI adaptive layout library.

Using Compose, Google says that developers will have an easier time ensuring their app UI adapts well across different sizes of windows, screens, orientations, and more. API provides composables that make it easier for UI elements to adapt to the screen they are in, not just stretch or shrink depending on how big the screen is. This API makes it easy to hide certain elements, reorient things, use panel extensions to hide or show certain parts of the app, and more.

Google also enhances the stylus experience in Android 15 with new developer-focused tools to ensure latency remains low in third-party apps. Writing with your stylus while moving the screen with your other hands will also work better.

In addition, the company ensures that developers have the tools they need to make keyboard and mouse usage more user-friendly when in third-party apps, and ensure that games adapt well to any screen size. This is a big pain point for folding mobile users because it is difficult for apps to know how to stretch their content, so hopefully this under-towed change will fix everything.

3. More items on your Google Wallet

You know how you have a lot of “stuff” in your physical wallet, such as membership cards and tickets? Now, you can digitize everything and add it to your Google Wallet. The company adds the option to add a digital version of any pass that contains text, so you can load your gym membership card, your library card, tickets to your favorite band, and more directly to your phone.

4. Thieves will be more difficult to steal your phone

One of the coolest features involving Google’s AI capabilities is called Theft Detection Lock. If your Android smartphone detects that someone has stolen it and tries to escape, cycle, or drive, your phone will detect the movement and have to lock the screen immediately. It will also lock automatically if it detects suspicious activity, such as a continuous attempt to disconnect your phone or various failed login attempts.

android 15

While Theft Detection Lock will be available on mobile since Android 10, factory reset protection remains exclusive to Android 15. If a thief tries to reset your stolen phone, this new feature prevents them from resetting unless they have your Google account credentials. This is basically Apple’s Find My iPhone feature, which locks the iPhone when they are reset. This makes your Android phone useless for anyone who doesn’t have your Google account login information, which can help prevent theft.

5. Phone calls are safer

Android 15 is also designed to fight spammers that use mobile site simulators and fraudulent text messages to trick you by adding notifications when your mobile network connection is not encrypted. This will be very useful if you are specifically targeted by criminals who want to intercept your cellular signal.

Google also added transparency of identification disclosures, which can help risky users such as journalists knowing when their phones are being tapped through fake cellular base stations or surveillance tools. Both of these features will require support from OEM, but Google says it anticipates many mobile manufacturers will want to support it.

6. Small performance improvement

On the developer side, Android 15 will support devices that use larger 16KB pages, which in turn will result in some performance improvements. This should make app launch time faster, improve power efficiency, allow you to open camera apps faster, and turn on your phone faster. Of course, it all depends on the phone you have and the specs, but it’s still nice to see Google focus on increasing speed.

7. AR on Google Maps

Soon, Google Maps will gain the ability to display AR content on your phone, which will help you learn more about the places you are visiting. It’s still in the early stages, but Google says that the AR experience built for places in Singapore and Paris is on its way first.

This feature is an extension of the expanded reality platform (XR) that Google built with Qualcomm for the Android ecosystem, so expect all AR things on Maps to increase over time.

8. Integration with third-party trackers in Find My Device

Google enhances Find My Device with the ability to track tracking tags from companies like Chipolo and Pebblebee. This means you will be able to find your phone, earbuds, luggage, backpack, and more from one place, similar to Apple’s Find My network on its platform.

In addition, other tags from Eufy, Jio, and Motorola will be supported later this year.

When will Android 15 be released?

Google says that Android 15 will achieve platform stability in June or July, with a public release coming after that. Android 14 does not come out until August 2023, so it seems safe to assume that Android 15 time will be similar: August 2024.

There is much more to be dismantled from I/O 2024, so be sure to stay here for more coverage.

FAQ about Android 15 new features

What is Private Space in Android 15?

Private space is a feature that lets you lock certain apps with fingerprints or passwords, isolates the app’s data and notifications so that they remain hidden.

How does Android 15 enhance the experience on the bigger screen?

Android 15 makes it easy for developers to customize their apps for larger screens by using the Compose AI adaptive layout library, improving the stylus experience, and making keyboard and mouse usage more user-friendly.

What is Theft Detection Lock on Android 15?

Theft Detection Lock is a feature that detects suspicious movements if your phone is stolen and automatically locks the screen to prevent unauthorized access.

How does Android 15 improve phone call security?

Android 15 adds a notification when your mobile network connection is not encrypted and transparency of identification disclosure to help users know if their phone is being tapped.