Editor-DN
What do you want to know?
- Google has released the first beta for Android 15 to eligible Pixel device owners and developers.
- The first beta of Android 15 helps with the app experience on larger displays, app archiving updates and more for people with braille displays.
- The first beta marks Google’s beta milestone for Android 15, and the company says it still plans to move into “platform stability” by June.
Google released the first beta of Android 15 today (April 11), and with it came a few key features that registered testers should know about.
According to Google, the first Android 15 beta is reaching the latest Pixel 8 series devices for the Pixel 5A. It also includes Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. The first beta of Android 15 brings more awareness to how larger displays (foldables/tablets) experience apps. Google says it has enabled the software’s peer-to-peer capabilities for apps by default.
This update primarily benefits developers as they no longer need to explicitly tell the app to enable such capabilities. Additionally, app developers will look to Google. Contents 3 Composables Available for additional assistance.
Android 15 is getting additional support for app archiving. Google states that the first beta of the software features OS-level support for archiving and unarchiving unused apps to benefit “all app stores.” The OS will remove the chunkier API and cached files but leave behind user data.
Because of this, Google says users will see the app in their device’s launcher with an icon highlighting its “archived” state.
The company continues its push for better security with Android 15, introducing “key management” for E2EE (end-to-end encryption). Beta will offer such an OS-level arrangement for the API for contact keys. In turn, this will let users easily manage and verify another user’s contact information.
More inclusions are inbound for Android 15 as the initial beta opens its testing doors on TalkBack’s support for braille displays. This software is only compatible with braille displays that use the HID standard over USB and Secure Bluetooth.
Google says it plans to reach “platform stability” for its next major OS release by June. The company is on schedule with its expected Android 15. Development timeline. Users should expect the beta in April and May before it goes into its stabilization phase. Beta enrollees are encouraged to provide feedback as the process continues.
The company’s second developer preview of Android 15 came in late March and was all about Google’s upcoming satellite connectivity. The company is preparing to introduce satellite capabilities for users to SMS/MMS and RCS chats when they are without a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Additionally, Google said that it will continue to tighten the reigns on user security to bolster its capabilities in Android 15.
