Android 15 is currently only available on Google's Pixel smartphones. — Google/AFP Relaxnews
Google has announced the roll-out of Android 15 to its Pixel devices. While other manufacturers will have to wait a little longer before offering this latest version of the mobile operating system to their customers, this launch offers an opportunity to discover its new functionalities.
Until now, Android 15 had only been available on the new Pixel 9 range, but now all Pixel devices, from the Pixel 6 to the very latest models, can benefit from this latest version of Google's mobile operating system.
New features already announced include improved camera control in third-party applications, the ability to send messages via satellite connectivity (depending on your operator) when no other connection is available, and simplified passkeys with fingerprints as the preferred authentication mode. On foldable devices and tablets, Android 15 now lets you pin and unpin your taskbar on the screen. This means you can customise the layout of your favorite applications, so you can access them quickly at any time. The idea is also to facilitate multitasking. Note that Android 15 supports partial screen sharing, meaning that users can save or share an application window rather than the entire smartphone (or tablet) screen.
But above all, this new version of the mobile operating system includes new security features, designed to combat theft and better protect user data. Google will be updating the classic factory reset to make it impossible for a thief to perform. From now on, a user will need to know the device owner's Google account credentials in order to configure the device again after forcing a reset. In addition, a private space will be reserved for sensitive applications. This will act as a kind of digital safe for sensitive applications, such as health, banking or dating apps. When this private space is locked, all these applications become virtually invisible to other users, especially since authentication is required for access, via a PIN code or biometric data.
It remains to be seen when Android 15 will be rolled out to other compatible smartphones. Samsung, for example, has announced that a new version of its One UI (7.0) interface, based on Android 15, is expected by the end of 2024. – AFP Relaxnews
