Summary
Summarize this content to 100 words Android 15 Developer Preview 2 was released by Google on Thursday, allowing developers to try out an early version of the company’s next major operating system update for Android smartphones. The second preview comes with several improvements to existing features as well as new features that take advantage of modern smartphone hardware, including satellite connectivity and foldable screens. Apps will also gain new abilities, such as detecting when the screen is being recorded. Most of these features are expected to be a part of the first open beta scheduled to arrive next month.One of the most notable new features arriving with Android 15 will be satellite connectivity. While manufacturers could always build in support for these features, the arrival of official support means that the user interface for this feature should feel more cohesive across different satellite networks — including new UI elements such as a status bar icon and interactive notifications, while apps can also detect when a handset is connected to a satellite and offer messaging services.Near field communication (NFC) support has been improved on devices running on Android 15, allowing smartphones to ‘observe’ or listen to NFC readers without responding to them. Meanwhile, Google will allow apps running on Android 15 to determine when the screen is being recorded, enabling them to prevent potentially sensitive information from being shown on the screen at the same time — apps like Google Pay currently offer this functionality when screen recording is enabled on iOS.Foldable smartphones — especially clamshell-style handsets like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra — currently offer manufacturer-optimised support for running apps (or widgets) on the smaller external cover screen. With Android 15, application developers can declare a property that will enable the use of these apps on foldable phones’ cover screens, despite their small size, according to Google. With newly added support for the CTA-2075 loudness standard, Android 15 will enable loudness consistency across different content types — this means that you won’t be constantly reaching for the volume buttons to adjust the volume of your phone. The Settings app has also been updated with a section called Audio sharing which will let you manage your Auracast (a new Bluetooth ‘broadcasting’ feature) sessions.Google will also allow developers to set a specific HDR headroom level, allowing their apps to balance HDR and SDR content, instead of the parts of screen showing the former overpowering the parts displaying SDR content. You will also be able to configure the app archiving feature via the Settings app, choosing to archive or restore apps directly via the Settings app.All of these features are currently available on the latest version of Android 15 DP 2, and are expected to make their way to the public beta releases that are scheduled to begin rolling out in April. Some of these features could be further improved, augmented, or removed in upcoming releases. A clearer idea of the Android 15 features is likely to emerge when the software reaches platform stability starting in June, according to the company’s schedule.Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.
Android 15 DP 2 Released With Improved Foldable Cover Screen Support, Official Satellite Connectivity Features
Android 15 Developer Preview 2 was recently unveiled by Google, paving the way for developers to get a glimpse of the company’s upcoming major operating system update for Android smartphones. This latest preview comes with a host of enhancements to existing features, as well as exciting new features that leverage modern smartphone hardware capabilities, such as satellite connectivity and foldable screen compatibility. Additionally, apps will receive new functionalities like screen recording detection. The majority of these features are anticipated to be included in the initial open beta release set to debut next month.
### Satellite Connectivity
One of the standout features arriving with Android 15 is the official support for satellite connectivity. While manufacturers have had the ability to incorporate this feature in the past, the introduction of official support implies that the user experience for this functionality will be more consistent across various satellite networks. This includes the addition of new UI elements like a status bar icon and interactive notifications. Furthermore, apps will be able to detect when a device is connected to a satellite, enabling them to offer messaging services.
### Improved NFC Support
The Near Field Communication (NFC) support on devices running Android 15 has been enhanced, allowing smartphones to passively ‘observe’ NFC readers without actively responding to them. Additionally, apps running on Android 15 can now detect when the screen is being recorded, giving them the capability to withhold potentially sensitive information from being displayed. Applications like Google Pay currently provide this feature when screen recording is enabled on iOS devices.
### Foldable Smartphone Compatibility
Foldable smartphones, particularly clamshell-style handsets like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, have been optimized by manufacturers to support running apps or widgets on the smaller external cover screen. With Android 15, app developers can specify a property that enables the use of these apps on foldable phone cover screens, despite their limited size.
### Loudness Standardization
Android 15 introduces support for the CTA-2075 loudness standard, ensuring consistent loudness levels across various types of content. This eliminates the need to constantly adjust the volume of your device depending on the content you are consuming. The Settings app has been updated with a new section called Audio Sharing, allowing users to manage their Auracast sessions, a new Bluetooth broadcasting feature.
### HDR Headroom Level Configuration
Developers are now given the ability to set a specific HDR headroom level in their apps, enabling a better balance between HDR and SDR content on the screen. This ensures that HDR content does not overpower SDR content. Moreover, users can configure the app archiving feature through the Settings app, providing the option to archive or restore apps directly from the Settings menu.
### Future Enhancements and Release Timeline
These features are currently available in the latest version of Android 15 DP 2 and are expected to be included in the upcoming public beta releases scheduled to launch in April. It is possible that some of these features may undergo further refinements, enhancements, or even removal in future releases. A clearer picture of the Android 15 features will emerge when the software attains platform stability, beginning in June as per Google’s release schedule.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our [ethics statement](https://www.gadgets360.com/ethics) for details.