Android
Google’s Android 15 Beta 1 Released: What’s New
Google has released the Android 15 Beta 1 for Pixel devices through OTA. This beta update is available for testing for developers and early adopters. Android 15 brings improvements to increase productivity, enhance app quality, and strengthen privacy and security.
Now, users of the Pixel devices can try out the new features of Android 15 on their devices ahead of the stable release. The beta program is essential for refining Android, with user feedback playing an essential role.
Android 15 Beta 1 update arrives with a bundle of new features and enhancements to provide a better and next-level experience. It uses full screen, enhances NFC payments, supports more languages with better text justification, and introduces app archiving to save space.
Moreover, it also adds new developer tools for app profiling and improves Braille display compatibility. Security is strengthened with key management for encryption and more rigid background activity controls.
Android 15 First Beta Update Features
Edge to Edge
In Android 15, apps automatically use the full screen, showing content behind the system bars without extra coding. For older Android versions, it’s still best to use `enableEdgeToEdge()` to achieve this look. Material 3 design helps manage the layout for you, ensuring your app looks great on all devices.
By default, system bars on Android 15 are see-through, allowing app content to extend behind them. To avoid content hidden by the system bars, refer to “Handle overlaps using insets” documentation for Views or the Window insets section in Compose.
Smooth NFC experience – part 2
The tap-to-pay process is now smoother, with apps able to register for notifications of NFC polling, ensuring better performance across multiple NFC applications.
Inter-character justification
A new justification mode allows for better letter spacing in texts, particularly benefiting languages like Chinese and Japanese that don’t rely on spaces.
App archiving
To save storage, users can now archive rarely used apps while keeping their data intact. This feature is now supported at the OS level, making it easier for app stores to adopt.
App managed profiling
Developers can gather in-depth app performance data with the new ProfilingManager class. An upcoming Jetpack API will further streamline this process.
Better Braille
TalkBack now supports a wider range of Braille displays, thanks to compatibility with the HID standard over USB and Bluetooth.
Key management for end to end encryption
The new E2eeContactKeysManager API helps in managing cryptographic keys for end-to-end encryption in apps.
Secured background activity launches
Android 15 enhances security by restricting background apps from unauthorized foreground launches.
App compatibility
With Android 15 in beta, developers are advised to test their apps for compatibility and address any issues to ensure a smooth user experience.
If you’ve a eligible pixel device, join the beta program now to enjoy the new features on your smartphones.
Android 15’s Easter Egg includes a secret Landroid screensaver mode that One UI 7 might borrow. Samsung’s next One UI iteration will be based on Android 15 OS. Core Android features such as Easter Egg will be included in Galaxy’s next major upgrade.
Debuted as a Landroid screensaver, Android 15’s Easter egg was added with the latest Beta. Google News Telegram channel’s Nail Sadykov discovered that the Easter egg game is equipped with an integrated screensaver mode.
To activate Easter Egg, head into Settings followed by About phone and Android version. Once done, tap the displayed Android version several times until you see the Android 15 bugdroid logo floating in space.
Space travel mini-game will be available to play added with Android 14. When you initially trigger the mini-game, you should have unlocked the new screensaver, tucked away under Settings → Display & Touch → Screen saver → Landroid.
After activating the screensaver, you can set your phone on your desk. Now, the phone will let you watch the Easter egg game take over in autopilot mode, as the spacecraft automatically dodges planets – it provides a better experience on a tablet placed on a dock.
Google introduced the AI Wallpaper feature with the Pixel 8 series. The same functionality is also available in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series thanks to Genini Nano. Now, Google is preparing to make AI-generated wallpapers sharable with Android 15.
Pixel’s ability to create AI-generated wallpapers is quite popular among users. Currently, the feature only allows users to generate stunning wallpapers and apply on the home screen and lock screen. Sharing with someone presently requires to be saved as a screenshot.
Threads user @the_husbandalorian discovered interesting evidence in the latest Beta. The company is working on a new option in Android 15 to share AI-generated wallpapers. A new share button is added on the preview screen in the wallpaper picker interface.
Post by @the_husbandalorianView on Threads
The preview will display how the wallpaper will be applied to your phone’s home or lock screen. The pencil button will allow you to refine the prompt used to create the wallpaper. Share button is all you need to share AI-generated wallpaper with others.
At present, the ability to share AI-generated wallpaper is broken. It suggests the feature is still under development and requires additional work. The next Beta might make it functional for Beta users, and we guess public availability with a Stable rollout.
AI Wallpaper in One UI 6.1
Samsung is very well known for its excellent after-sales service and software support. The company announced that it will provide up to 7 years of major OS upgrades and security updates for its flagship devices, starting with the Galaxy S24 series. This is a remarkable achievement that will allow Samsung users to enjoy the latest features and security enhancements for a long time.
Not all Samsung devices will be eligible for the upcoming Android 15-based One UI 7 update, which is expected to bring several new features and improvements. Some older and lower-end models of the Galaxy A, Galaxy M, and Galaxy F series have reached the end of their software upgrade cycles, and will not receive any further OS updates.
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However, these devices will still receive security patches for another year, but they will miss out on the new features and benefits of One UI 7.
Android 15 Easter Egg [Customized by Camila Foster, Sammy Fans]
Samsung Android 15 One UI 7 Ineligible Device List
The following is the list of Samsung devices that will not get the Android 15 One UI 7 update:
Galaxy A series
- Galaxy A04s
- Galaxy A13
- Galaxy A23
- Galaxy A72
- Galaxy A52
- Galaxy A52 5G
- Galaxy A52s
Galaxy M series
- Galaxy M53 5G
- Galaxy M33 5G
- Galaxy M23
Galaxy F series
- Galaxy F23
If you own any of these devices, you may want to consider upgrading to a newer model that will support One UI 7 and beyond.
Note: The list is compiled on software update policy and previous rollouts.