Android 15 Developer Preview 1 is out for the Pixel 6 and up

The release of the Android 15 Developer Preview marks the beginning of the ~8-month-long beta process for the new major OS version. Here's a summary of what's new based on the initial text descriptions:

1. Device Support:

   • Android 15 Developer Preview is available for Pixel 6, 7, and 8 series, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. However, this release signifies the end of major OS support for the Pixel 5 and 5a series.

2. Partial Screen Sharing:

   • A new feature called "Partial screen sharing" allows users to share or record individual app windows instead of the entire screen.
   • While phones may not have a significant difference between an app window and a full screen, this feature could be beneficial for more focused sharing or recording. For example, it could prevent incoming notifications from appearing during screen sharing.
   • This feature is expected to enhance the user experience, especially on tablets where multitasking and productivity are often prioritized.

Overall, while the text descriptions provide only a glimpse of the new features in Android 15, the introduction of Partial Screen Sharing is a notable addition that could improve usability and productivity, especially for users who frequently share or record their screens.

The introduction of an API supporting the Linux kernel's fs-verity feature in Android is a significant development aimed at enhancing security for app developers and users. Here's an overview of what this feature entails:

1. fs-verity Feature:

   • fs-verity is a feature of the Linux kernel that allows for the verification of read-only files stored on a read-write file system.
   • With fs-verity, read-only files can be cryptographically signed to ensure they haven't been tampered with maliciously.

2. API Support in Android:

   • Android is introducing an API that supports the fs-verity feature, making it accessible to app developers.
   • This API enables developers to leverage fs-verity to enhance the security of their apps by protecting against potential malware or unauthorized modifications to critical files.

3. Enhanced Security:

   • By utilizing the fs-verity feature and the corresponding API in Android, app developers can safeguard their app's functionality and data from unauthorized modifications.
   • This added layer of security helps mitigate the risk of malware and other threats that could compromise the integrity of an app's files.

Overall, the introduction of fs-verity support in Android underscores Google's commitment to enhancing security and protecting app developers and users from potential threats. By encouraging developers to utilize this feature, Google aims to provide a more secure environment for Android app development and usage.

Google's announcement includes two notable enhancements related to camera controls and dynamic performance management:

1. Improved Camera Controls for Apps:

   • Android 15 introduces improved camera controls for apps, which likely means additional features and capabilities for developers to access and control the camera hardware on Android devices.
   • This enhancement could lead to better integration of camera functionalities within third-party apps, allowing developers to create more advanced and feature-rich camera applications.

2. Dynamic Performance Controls:

   • Android 15 also includes dynamic performance controls that detect if a phone is overheating and provide apps with the ability to respond accordingly.
   • This feature is likely aimed at optimizing device performance and preventing overheating issues by dynamically adjusting resource usage based on temperature conditions.
   • Apps can now be more proactive in managing system resources and adjusting their behavior to mitigate the impact of overheating on device performance and user experience.

Overall, these enhancements reflect Google's ongoing efforts to improve the performance, functionality, and user experience of Android devices through software updates and optimizations. The improved camera controls and dynamic performance management capabilities introduced in Android 15 are designed to provide developers with more tools and flexibility while ensuring optimal performance and reliability for users.