Android, revered as one of the world's leading operating systems, is the cornerstone of billions of devices across diverse categories and form factors.
Each year, Google unveils a fresh iteration of Android, brimming with novel features and enhancements aimed at enriching user experiences and device performance.
While many await the Android 14 update, Google surprises enthusiasts with the inaugural developer preview of Android 15.
Let's delve into the intricacies of the Android 15 Developer Preview 1 update, unraveling its array of innovative features and functionalities.
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Disclaimer
Before embarking on our exploration, it's imperative to acknowledge that not all features of the Android 15 update have been rolled out.
These features will gradually unfold through subsequent beta releases scheduled monthly.
Consequently, the features discussed herein are subject to potential alterations or exclusion in the final release.
Furthermore, it's vital to emphasize that the developer preview targets developers and testers exclusively, cautioning against its usage by general consumers due to potential bugs and glitches that might compromise device functionality and stability.
Animation and Haptics
Google, renowned for its impeccable animations, takes a stride forward with Android 15, revamping animations to epitomize seamless fluidity and heightened responsiveness.
Notably, transitions between applications and the home screen exude a newfound fluidity, seamlessly mirroring user gestures.
Furthermore, adjusting brightness now elicits tactile feedback, intensifying with each increment, offering users an intuitive means to regulate brightness levels.
Moreover, users now possess the autonomy to disable keyboard haptics directly from the settings app. This feature, notably, extends beyond Gboard compatibility. To activate this functionality:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Navigate to Sound & Vibration, then Vibration & Haptics.
- Scroll and toggle the Keyboard Vibration setting.
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| Image: Mishaal Rahman |
Notification Cooldown
Ever found yourself besieged by notifications during crucial moments like meetings or classes, risking unwanted attention?
Android 15 introduces the notification cooldown feature to mitigate such predicaments.
This feature intelligently reduces notification volume upon receiving an excess of notifications from a particular app or service, sparing users from incessant buzzing or ringing.
Furthermore, users can tailor this setting to apply universally or exclusively to conversations. To configure this feature:
- Access the Settings app.
- Navigate to the Notifications section and locate Notification Cooldown.
- Toggle the switch to activate the feature, and specify whether it applies to all notifications or solely to conversations.
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| Image: Mishaal Rahman |
Show SDR/HDR Ratio
The inclusion of the Show SDR/HDR Ratio feature empowers users to gauge the dynamic range of photos.
SDR, denoting Standard Dynamic Range, and HDR, signifying High Dynamic Range, delineate the breadth of brightness and contrast a photo can capture and display.
HDR photos, with their expanded dynamic range, exhibit enhanced detail retention in both dark and bright regions.
Conversely, SDR photos, with a narrower dynamic range, may sacrifice detail in such areas.
By showcasing the SDR/HDR ratio, users gain insight into their photos' dynamic range and how they translate across disparate screens and devices.
This functionality proves invaluable for photographers seeking to optimize their photos for diverse platforms and audiences. To enable this feature:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Navigate to Developer Options and find Show SDR/HDR Ratio.
- Toggle the switch to activate the feature, selecting whether to display the ratio as a percentage or a fraction.
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| Image: HowToMen |
New Fold Features
Despite modest sales figures, Google's Pixel Fold remains instrumental in advancing software development for foldable form factors.
Android 15 introduces the 'Continue Using the Apps on Fold' feature, enabling users to nominate apps for continuous display on the front panel upon device closure.
This facilitates seamless multitasking and app transitioning without compromising context or progress.
To enable this feature:
- Access the Settings app.
- Navigate to Display, then Continue Using the apps on Fold.
- Select the desired apps for continuous display upon device closure.
Privacy Dashboard
Privacy emerges as a paramount concern in the digital realm, with users demanding agency over their personal data.
Android 15 addresses this imperative with the introduction of the Privacy Dashboard, offering a comprehensive overview of app permissions and data usage.
This dashboard empowers users to discern which apps accessed sensitive data such as location, camera, and microphone over the past 24 hours, with provisions to revoke or grant permissions directly from the dashboard.
To utilize the Privacy Dashboard:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Access Privacy, then Privacy Dashboard.
- Tap on any permission to view associated apps and access timestamps.
- Adjust app permissions and data usage according to personal preference.
One-handed Mode
As smartphones burgeon in size, maneuvering them single-handedly becomes increasingly arduous.
Android 15 introduces the One-handed Mode, a boon for users seeking enhanced usability.
This feature condenses the screen to the bottom half of the device, facilitating effortless access to icons and buttons with a single thumb.
Activation methods include swiping down from the screen's bottom edge or double-tapping the home button.
Users can customize screen size and position to suit individual comfort levels.
To activate and utilize One-handed Mode:
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to System, then Gestures.
- Access One-handed Mode and toggle the switch to enable.
- Select the preferred activation method - swiping or double-tapping.
- To exit the mode, swipe up from the bottom edge or tap on the black screen area.
Nearby Share
Nearby Share emerges as a quintessential feature facilitating file and content sharing sans internet or Bluetooth dependency.
Android 15 elevates this functionality with additional options, enabling users to share device names and visibility with specific contacts for streamlined connectivity.
Enhanced capabilities encompass the simultaneous sharing of multiple files and apps from the Play Store.
To harness Nearby Share:
- Access the desired app or file and tap on the Share icon.
- Select Nearby Share and designate the target device.
- Await acceptance of the share request and confirm connection establishment.
- Witness seamless transfer of files or content between devices.
Scrolling Screenshots
Capturing screenshots of extensive or scrollable content often proves cumbersome, entailing multiple captures and laborious stitching.
Android 15 ameliorates this ordeal with the introduction of scrolling screenshots, enabling users to capture entire content expanses seamlessly.
Following the conventional screenshot procedure, users can expand the capture area to encompass the entire content, obviating the need for manual scrolling or third-party apps.
To leverage scrolling screenshots:
- Access the desired content and capture a screenshot.
- Tap on the screenshot preview and select the Expand icon.
- Adjust the capture area as desired.
- Save the comprehensive screenshot to the device.
Material You
Material You heralds a paradigm shift in design ethos, transcending the confines of static guidelines prevalent in prior Material Design iterations.
This adaptive and personalized design language empowers users to customize device and app aesthetics in alignment with personal preferences and contextual nuances.
Noteworthy manifestations include dynamic notification shades, interactive lock screens, and intuitive volume and power menus, imbued with a heightened sense of vibrancy and coherence.
Conclusion
Android 15 epitomizes the pinnacle of innovation in the Android ecosystem, ushering in a plethora of features and enhancements designed to augment user experiences and device performance.
From refined animations and notification management to privacy enhancements and personalized design, Android 15 promises a holistic and enriched user journey.
Whether you're an eager early adopter or await the stable release, Android 15 invites you to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery, shaping the future of mobile computing.
