Android 15 Update: Features, Specs, and Release Date
Google is already planning Android 15, even though Android 14 is already out there. Even though Android 14 had some improvements based on AI, it wasn't the big step forward we thought it would be after testing it in early versions. Now that we've played around with Android 14 beta and different skins for Android, such as One UI 6, ColorOS 13, and MIUI 14, let's look at the features we hope to see in Android 15.
Release Date For Android 15
Android 14 and Android 15 will come out next year. Its code name is Vanilla Ice Cream, which is pretty cool. Google is likely to talk about it at Google I/O 2024. As with previous versions of Android, you can get a sneak peek at Android 15 before anyone else by signing up for the Android Beta program. And then they'll let everyone have it. If your phone can run it, you'll get a message telling you to download Android 15.
Rumors And Features Of Android 15
It has been said that Google might make its version of AirTags. If that's true, Android 15 might have tools to help you find this tracker. Google I/O 2023 didn't discuss it, so we need to know when or if they'll put it out. We might get it next year, though, along with Android 15.
Google Directly Updates The NFC.
Mishaal Rahman, an expert on Android, said that NFC might be separate from regular system updates in Android 15. This could help Google fix NFC problems faster since they can now send updates through the Play Store. His tweet said, "After the Bluetooth, WiFi, and UWB stacks, Google will turn Android's NFC stack into a modular system component, i.e. a Project Mainline module!"
Application Archiving
A well-known Android expert, Mishaal Rahman, thinks Android 15 might include built-in support for app archiving. This would make managing storage across the whole system more accessible and seamless. The Play Store's app archiving process currently cuts big app files to a short "stub," which keeps user data safe.
Conversely, this feature can only be found in the Play Store rather than on the operating system itself. This will differ from Android 15, making app archiving a built-in part of the OS. The most recent Android 14 QPR2 beta two update includes hints that new shell commands have been added to let users archive and unarchive apps directly from within the system.
At the moment, archiving an app removes it from the profile. In the future, however, the app's icon may stay visible so that unarchiving is easier. Some people also think that Google might add a button in Settings that would make it easy for users to archive or remove apps.
Thanks to this update, Google Play users can now organize their app library cleaner and easier-to-use. You can keep those useful apps sparingly without wasting valuable storage space. Once you're ready to use them again, you must unarchive them in Settings.
Mishaal says that the feature is hidden in the most recent beta 2 of Android 14 QPR2. But the idea that native app archiving might come with Android 15 is good news for people who care about storage. Managing your app library might be a breeze if there was a dedicated button in Settings and a more straightforward way to unarchive apps.
Free-floating Windows
Google may be thinking about making windows that float on top of the screen. MIUI does things a certain way, but they could learn something from how ColorOS does things instead. For some reason, Xiaomi made floating windows always on in MIUI, and there is no way to turn them off. In other words, when you pull down a notification, it opens as a floating window.
Creating Better Icons
Google added themed icons to Android 12, but it still needs to improve after two years. The issue is not with Google but with the people who make apps. The home screen looks jumbled because many app developers have yet to use this feature.
It's annoying that not even well-known apps like Evernote have themed icons. While we're at it, it would be great if Google let us change how icons look and how big they are. This isn't something that can be changed much on Pixel phones right now. Google should make this better in the next update.
Feature For Screen Distance
Screen Distance is an intelligent feature in iOS 17. The front camera checks to see if your phone is too close to your eyes. This makes your eyes feel better. When your device is less than 12 inches from your face, the camera tells you in full screen that you must move it away.
This was helpful on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, especially when I held it too close at night. This is meant to keep kids' eyes healthy, but it can also help adults who use their phones often in bed. Now, Google could add a feature like this to Android. It should be easy to add since the camera measures distance.
Reliable Backup System
Android 15's backup system should be more reliable. Pixel users had boot loops after updating to Android 14, and Google couldn't recover their data. Even with Google backups, not all data was recoverable. This is because Google's cloud backup system is less advanced than iCloud. We want Google to improve.
Even without access to the old phone, transferring data to a new iPhone is easy. Android makes it more challenging. Connecting your old and new telephones helps transfer as much data as possible. Apps may require re-registration and data download after the move. Android 15 could improve backups to streamline this process.
Toggles For Wi-Fi and Cell Networks
Google combined WiFi and mobile internet toggles on Pixel phones in Android 12 to simplify quick settings toggles. Even after two years, this method has failed. Disconnecting and reconnecting for a stable WiFi connection is necessary.
To stay connected to a weak WiFi signal, users may need to turn off mobile data. Separate mobile internet and WiFi toggles simplify these tasks. Google's inconsistent long pressing and tapping with the Internet toggle makes it harder to use.
Final Words
Android 15 will be visible to developers for only a short time. Google usually releases early Android updates in February or March. Join the Android beta program to test Android 14 QPR1's new features before release. It will be available to all in December 2023.