Google has released Android 15 Developer Preview 1. From now on, a schedule of several months will allow us to see the next major Android update develop.
As predicted by the rumors, the first development version of Android 15 is now available.
While we were constantly waiting for major versions of Android a few years ago, it is no longer a huge expectation, but an event. So the Android world is gearing up to welcome its latest version: Android 15.
For Google, this update marks an important step in the evolution of the platform, not only in terms of functionality, but also as it seeks to strengthen developer productivity, application performance and privacy protection, user privacy and security.
Better utilization of equipment
Google wants to go further than ever in harnessing the hardware potential of smartphones and other mobile devices. Developers can now access advanced camera features, powerful graphics processors, displays and artificial intelligence (AI) processing capabilities.
Google is clearly aiming high to move Android upmarket, especially with the arrival of increasingly large smartphones, including the folding smartphone cited by Google. But that’s not all, this work will allow us to move forward in many different dimensions.
An example? Google talks about low light improvements and flash intensity adjustments. It was for photography. But, Google has also mentioned a new energy efficiency mode that allows CPU and GPU frequencies to be better aligned together. This app will better manage the performance of the device based on the needs.
Privacy and Security
One of the most talked about aspects of Android 15 is its approach to user privacy and security. With the introduction of Android AD Services Level 10, including the latest version of the Privacy Sandbox, Google seeks to improve user privacy while enabling personalized advertising experiences.
Data security is also enhanced with Android 15’s new FileIntegrityManager, which uses the Linux kernel’s fs-verity feature to protect files with custom cryptographic signatures. It’s very technical, but Google wants to guarantee the integrity of biometric data here.
Health Connect
Android 15 also includes Health Connect, a secure, centralized platform for managing and sharing health and fitness data collected by apps. This update expands support for new types of data, such as fitness, nutrition and more.
As we can see, this first introduction to Android 15 is clearly designed for developers, with its share of technical details.
That said, we’ll quickly find out more, especially with the arrival of beta versions. Unlike Apple, which prefers to unveil its new iOS products during the grand WWDC, Google takes a different approach. However, we can expect a lot more information to be revealed between now and then Google I/O 2024.
When will Android 15 be available?
The first developer preview starts today, with a public beta coming in early spring while Google works on a stable release for June.
Devices taken in the first version for this Preview Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, as well as an Android emulator apparently.
If you’re using Android 14 QPR3, Google recommends that you “upgrade now to Developer Preview 1.”
