Android is one of the biggest software platforms in the world and its periodic update cycle means that it'll keep bringing features that keep it on the cutting edge.
Android 15 is the next major step for the mobile operating system and we're expecting it later this year. In preparation, Google has just announced that the first beta for the upcoming platform is now available to download.
Android 15 Beta 1 Has Landed For Compatible Google Pixel Devices
Coming after the release of developer previews for the upcoming Android 15 OS, Google has just announced that the first beta for Android 15 is now available for interested parties to get a taste of.
Sure, you could jump on the developer preview even if you weren't a dev (though it wasn't necessarily intended that way), but the beta also targets early adopters like you and me. As long as you have an eligible Pixel device, you can try the beta out right now. Let's talk about some of the major features that this beta brings to the table.
Android 15 Apps Will Be Fullscreen By Default
Screens aren't getting bigger but bezels are getting smaller, and to improve the aesthetic of apps running on modern Android devices, Android 15 now displays all apps “edge-to-edge” by default.
What this means is that the status bar at the top and the navigation bar at the bottom (if visible), will no longer claim part of the screen for themselves. Instead, they will be transparent layers so that apps can still use that screen real estate. Developers will still be able to choose to not make their apps edge-to-edge, but why would you want to do that?
NFC Is Going To Work More Seamlessly
I'll admit that I don't understand the finer details here, but Android 15 is going to bring some changes to the system to make using NFC on your Android device, especially when it comes to tap-to-pay, to make things a lot smoother in real-world use.
Android 15 Will Support App Archiving On An OS-Level
In 2023, Google Play introduced a new feature that made it possible for you to archive apps that you don't use that much, which was a great way to free up extra space on your device. The thing is, you could only do that from the Play Store.
Now, with Android 15, app archiving will become an Android feature, so you'll be able to archive apps whether you download them from the Galaxy Store, Play Store, or any other Android app store.
Security Improvements
Unsurprisingly, Android 15 will also come with additional security improvements. For instance, there will now be an API on the OS that allows for the storage of cryptographic keys, which will make it easier to implement end-to-end encryption (similar to what an app like WhatsApp has).
It will also bring protections against what background apps are capable of doing, particularly when it comes to launching other apps and bringing them to the foreground, or giving themselves higher privileges, which should keep you a lot safer.
What Pixel Devices Are Eligible For Android 15 Beta 1?
If you're interested in trying out the first beta for Android 15, you'll need an eligible Google Pixel device, and currently, the only ones supported are the Pixel 5a and newer devices. This does not include the Pixel 5, but it does include the Pixel Fold and the Pixel Tablet.
