Google I/O 2024: The latest updates coming to the Android 15

Emmanuel Oyedeji -

Google's developer conference, I/O 2024, kicked off yesterday, and as expected, there were a ton of announcements across its offerings. This year, however, things were a little different.

While unveiling the latest Android Beta is typically an I/O highlight, this year, the spotlight was all about AI, particularly Gemini AI, Google's big AI project.

Despite the AI focus, Google did tease some updates coming to the release of its latest Android mobile OS - the Android 15 Beta 2, which was very briefly brought up during the event. 

The first Android 15 developer preview was back in February, offering developers a sneak peek at upcoming features. That was followed up in April with the first Android 15 public beta release, allowing early adopters on Pixel devices (Pixel 6 to Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet) to test the new OS.

Now, the official launch of Android 15 is finally happening today, featuring the previously teased Android 15 Beta 2. Here's a sneak peek at some of the features expected in Android 15 based on the beta and reports:

  • Full-screen Apps: Say goodbye to that pesky black bar at the bottom of your apps! Android 15 maximizes your screen space for a more immersive experience. (Heads up to developers: you gotta update your apps to take full advantage of this!)
  • Smoother NFC Payments: Tired of those janky tap-to-pay moments? Android 15 improves Near Field Communication (NFC) handling for a smoother and more reliable experience.
  • Share Specific App Screens: Finally! You can now share specific app windows instead of your entire screen – a feature Pixel users have been enjoying for a while.
  • Satellite Love: Expanding connectivity options, Android 15 will allow apps to utilize satellite connections in areas with limited traditional network coverage.
  • Camera Control Freak? Android 15 gives you more control over camera settings for better photo customization, like low-light performance and flash intensity.
  • Silence the Keyboard Rattles: This one's for those who hate the constant click-clack. Android 15 introduces a system-wide toggle to control keyboard vibration across all your keyboard apps.
  • Privacy First: The "Sensitive Notifications" feature prevents unauthorized apps from accessing sensitive information in your notifications. No more sneaky peeks!
  • Bluetooth Made Easy: Connecting and disconnecting Bluetooth devices just got simpler with a new popup dialogue in Android 15.
  • Enhanced Audio Sharing: Sharing audio to Bluetooth LE Audio streams with Auracast becomes seamless with Android 15.
  • Pixel Perfect Video Calls (Pixel Only): Pixel device users get a bonus – a dedicated high-quality webcam mode for improved video conferencing.
  • Goodbye App Clutter: Android 15 introduces app archiving, which automatically stores unused apps to free up storage space.
  • Accessibility Boost: Android 15 now natively supports Braille displays via the HID standard (wired and wireless) for visually impaired users.

Overall, while Google I/O was a bit light on Android news, it seems Android 15 is packed with some cool features! Stay tuned for the official launch later today to see everything Android 15 has to offer.