Joe Maring / Digital Trends
Less than a calendar month ago , Google formally announce Android 15and released the first developer preview for the software package update . Now , Google is rolling out Android 15 Developer Preview 2 — and with it — a few new features that were n’t in Developer Preview 1 .
So , what ’s new in this second developer preview ? Here are the biggest thing to keep an eye out for .
New satellite connectivity features
planet connectivity has been a liberal talk distributor point for smartphones since Apple introduce it on the iPhone 14 series . Now , for Android telephone that finally propose the feature , Android 15 will assure you knowexactlywhen you ’re unite and what you could do with your satellite connection .
As you’re able to see in the screenshot above , Android 15 will show the name of your satellite web in the top left niche , a satellite icon in the top rightfulness , plus a notification alerting you that you ’re connected to a artificial satellite web . Further , Android 15 “ furnish support for SMS / MMS applications as well as preloaded RCS applications to utilise satellite connectivity for sending and meet messages . ”
Better support for flip phones
Among all the turn up phone available today , flip telephone — like theSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5andMotorola Razr Plus — are a self-aggrandising part of them . These phone have a small binding screen on the front , and in some instances , you could melt full applications on those tiny display .
Android 15 now allows developers to easily ease up their apps as being allow to take to the woods on these cover screen . As Googe explains in its wardrobe release , “ These screens are too small to be considered as compatible targets for Android apps to campaign on , but your app can opt - in to supporting them , making your app uncommitted in more piazza . ” In forgetful , this should signify better app experience on cover cover . As a flip phone foldable rooter , you love to see it .
NFC improvements
NFC is n’t the most exciting smartphone spec to talk about , but it is an crucial one — especially if you rely on Google Wallet for contactless payment . This is another sphere Android 15 reference .
On “ fend for devices , ” Google tell apps can “ quest the NfcAdapter enter observe way , where the gadget will mind but not react to NFC readers , institutionalise the app ’s NFC service PollingFrame objects to process . ” In simpler price , this means any NFC interactions you have on your phone should be smoother than ever . NFC already make for quite well on Android phones , but if you ’ve ever had to confine your phone to an NFC reader a couple of time before it ultimately works , Android 15shouldmake that a thing of the yesteryear .
Other Android 15 updates
So , we ’ve got a expert experience with artificial satellite connectivity , improved cover screen support on foldables , and some NFC upgrades . Is there anything else ? Here ’s a lightning - round of other update coming in Android 15 Developer Preview 2 :
Should you download Android 15 DP 2?
Android 15 Developer Preview 2 is roll out out now and is available for the Google Pixel 6 , Pixel 7 , and Pixel 8 series phones , in addition to the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet . Should you go off and download it ?
Our advice from the first developer preview still remain firm . For most the great unwashed , no , you should not download Android 15 DP 2 . As the name suggest , Developer Preview 2 is stillvery muchmeant for developer — not everyday users . We ’ll get to that point shortly enough ( the first genus Beta release is on track for April ) , but until then , you ’re good off watching Android 15 from the sidelines .