Android 15 will hide messages containing one-time password (OTP) codes to prevent them from being stolen by malware or fraudulent apps that monitor notifications. — Unsplash
Android 15 has entered the third phase of beta testing, with its final release anticipated next month. As the launch approaches, there’s a wealth of new features and improvements for smartphones that users need to catch up on, as this upgrade promises to enhance the user experience with new technology and numerous optimisations.
Those accustomed to gesture navigation will be glad to hear that Android 15 will feature “predictive back design”.
While the term might seem unclear at first, it actually provides an apt description of the feature, as users will be given a visual preview of the page they are returning to as they perform the “back” gesture, usually a swipe from the edge of the display.
This offers a more intuitive experience, allowing users to decide if they want to proceed and complete the gesture or stay on their current page.
Users with tablets will find an improved multitasking experience with Android 15, including the option to permanently display the taskbar on-screen and save “app combinations” for quick access.
App combinations allow users to launch two apps simultaneously, like YouTube and WhatsApp, when they want to multitask, instead of opening them one after another. These combinations will also maintain the same screen layout as the last time they were used.
Foldable device enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised by a new built-in feature that automatically switches to the outer screen when the device is folded, allowing them to continue working without needing to turn the device on again.
Android has taken a page from Apple’s book with the addition of satellite messaging support in the upcoming release. — Google
While Apple has often been described as being late to the party for introducing features slower than its rivals, this time Android has taken a page from Apple’s book with the addition of satellite messaging support in the upcoming release.
However, it remains to be seen if the Android implementation will be similar to the iOS Emergency SOS feature, which has reportedly been instrumental in numerous lifesaving efforts since its addition to the iPhone.
Anyone worried about getting their personal information exposed in the event of a snatch-and-grab will be relieved to hear about the addition of a Theft Detection Lock.
The feature uses artificial intelligence (AI) and the smartphone’s internal accelerometer to detect sudden movements, which may indicate the device has been grabbed out of someone’s hand.
When this happens, the lock screen will immediately activate to prevent unauthorised access to the device. Similarly, the lock screen will be triggered by the Offline Device Lock if a potential thief forcibly keeps the device without network connectivity to prevent tracking.
Most people will welcome the Private Space feature, which securely hides sensitive data and apps, protecting them with biometrics or a password.
Apps running within Private Space will stop operating once the user exits it, and no notifications will be shown to maintain privacy. — Unsplash
Apps running within Private Space will stop operating once the user exits it, and no notifications will be shown to maintain privacy. Photos taken while the feature is enabled will only be visible when Private Space is active.
Speaking of notifications, Android 15 will hide messages containing one-time password (OTP) codes to prevent them from being stolen by malware or fraudulent apps that monitor notifications.
Inside iOS 18
Apple isn’t sitting still either – it’s also beefing up security in the upcoming iOS 18 release, with the new public beta promising a greater degree of on-device privacy protections with granular controls.
Another neat privacy add-on in the new operating system is the option to selectively share contacts with apps. — Apple
You can lock apps with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to make them invisible to searches and prevent notifications from popping up. Or, stash them in a hidden folder that’s locked away from prying eyes – perfect for when someone else is using your device.
Another big security upgrade is the revamped Passwords app, which used to be tucked away in a small section of the Settings menu.
Now, it’s got all the bells and whistles of a password manager: cloud backups, end-to-end encryption, the ability to generate authentication codes, and it will even alert you if your password is compromised.
It is also a standalone app for easier access and better visibility.
Another neat privacy add-on in the new operating system is the option to selectively share contacts with apps. Currently, when apps request access to contacts, users can only opt to share all or none, offering limited control over their personal information.
The long-awaited ability to customise the home screen will be making its debut on iOS 18, allowing users to place apps anywhere on the screen (unlike the current grid arrangement), and resize app icons and widgets, among others. — Apple
The long-awaited ability to customise the home screen will be making its debut on iOS 18, allowing users to place apps anywhere on the screen (unlike the current grid arrangement), resize app icons and widgets, switch between app icon themes (dark, light and custom colour tints) and replace widgets on the lock screen.
Apple has also been making a notable push towards integrating new AI features with what the company calls Apple Intelligence.
The line-up includes Writing Tools with a writing assistant and summarisation capability, Image Playground, which is an AI image generator, an AI-enhanced Siri, and native ChatGPT integration.
Other features include on-device message and email categorisation, with more time-sensitive items placed in the Primary category while others are spread across areas like Transactions, Promotions, and Updates, depending on the content.
The public beta preview for iOS 18, announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2024, will be available sometime next month, with a full launch expected in September.
Windows to new possibilities
Integrating AI into operating systems has become all the rage, but it hasn’t gone smoothly for all companies, and this was the case for Microsoft’s Windows Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs.
Recall takes screenshots of the screen at regular intervals and was touted as a feature that would allow users to search for anything they had seen on their PC. — Microsoft
Recall takes screenshots of the screen at regular intervals and was touted as a feature that would allow users to search for anything they had seen on their PC.
It uses AI to analyse and catalogue the data, offering a timeline to scroll through past activities, including apps, documents, and websites. Once located, users can jump back to the content seen in the snapshot.
However, Microsoft’s claim of this being a groundbreaking feature sparked privacy concerns among critics, as the feature effectively captures screenshots of everything that happens on a device, potentially monitoring a user’s PC comprehensively.
Security experts pointed out that this posed a significant security risk, as all the information could potentially be exposed should a device be compromised by malware, even with Microsoft’s assurances that the AI analysis would happen securely on-device with the neural processing units (NPUs) on Copilot+ PCs.
Due to the controversy, the company ended up delaying the feature indefinitely, stating on its website that further testing among the Windows Insider community would be conducted before Recall was made available to all users.
Recall was initially set to debut on Windows 11 version 24H2, which some speculated to be Windows 12, but that turned out not to be the case.
Other features coming to the 24H2 version of Windows include the ability to compress files into 7-Zip and TAR archives natively in File Explorer, eliminating the need for third-party compression software, support for WiFi 7, the ability to use a smartphone as a webcam, and a new Energy Saver mode. — Microsoft
However, this doesn’t diminish the value of the new update. It’s more than just a fresh coat of paint for an operating system that will be turning four years old in a few months, as there are additional AI utilities designed to leverage the NPU.
Gamers, for instance, will enjoy AI-powered Auto Super Resolution – though this functions like the upscaling options offered by Nvidia, AMD and Intel to offer higher resolution, visual fidelity, and frame rates in video games, the solution will be baked into the operating system by default. As it’s built-in, it doesn’t have to be integrated into games individually.
Other AI niceties include live captioning capable of translating audio and video from 44 languages, background noise removal in calls or recordings, adjustments to your gaze on video calls to simulate eye contact, and portrait lighting that brightens the face so it’s clearly lit even in a dim environment.
Meanwhile, the venerable Microsoft Paint – which Microsoft initially wanted to discontinue but was saved due to an outpouring of support – will allow users to generate images through text prompts.
Windows 11 24H2 started shipping to users last month, exclusive to Copilot+ PCs powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite ARM processor, and is expected to make its way to other computers in September. — Microsoft
Other features coming to the 24H2 version of Windows include the ability to compress files into 7-Zip and TAR archives natively in File Explorer, eliminating the need for third-party compression software, support for WiFi 7, the ability to use a smartphone as a webcam, and a new Energy Saver mode.
Windows 11 24H2 started shipping to users last month, exclusive to Copilot+ PCs powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite ARM processor, and is expected to make its way to other computers in September.
Modernising macOS
Much like iOS 18, macOS Sequoia is receiving a suite of features powered by Apple Intelligence, including Writing Tools and an upgraded Siri.
Much like iOS 18, macOS Sequoia is receiving a suite of features powered by Apple Intelligence, including Writing Tools and an upgraded Siri. — Apple
Additionally, Safari will automatically identify relevant information on a webpage and highlight it as the user browses. These highlights provide useful details, such as directions and quick links, to help users learn more about the content.
On the productivity front, macOS is finally getting app tiling, allowing users to divide screen space between apps by dragging them to the edge of the screen to rearrange and resize them – a feature that has long been present on Windows devices.
The update will also bring deeper integration between iOS and macOS, giving users access to their iPhone on their Mac through mirroring.
The mirrored display gives users full access to all apps on the iPhone, even allowing them to drag and drop files between the two devices. — Apple
The mirrored display gives users full access to all apps on the iPhone, even allowing them to drag and drop files between the two devices. Users won’t need to worry about missing iPhone notifications, as they will be visible on their Mac while the phone remains locked and secure.
The public beta for macOS Sequoia is planned for July, with a full release sometime later in the second half of the year.
