Google has officially revealed the second Developer Preview of Android 15, and it’s packed with features that promise to significantly improve the user experience.
After a first Developer Preview version launched in February, Google has finally unveiled the new Android 15 DP2 update, which adds its share of new features. As their names suggest, these versions are primarily intended for developersso most of the changes are complex to say the least.
One of the main new features in Android 15 DP2 is the introduction of UI elements designed to provide a consistent experience for satellite connectivity-enabled devices. It notably includes a new API that allows applications to detect satellite connections. Furthermore, Messaging apps can now use this satellite connectivity to send and receive SMS, MMS and RCS messages.
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What changes on Android DP2?
Other changes include a new property that allows developers tooptimize their apps for the small cover screens found on flip devices. This feature requires developer opt-in and is only available on supported devices.
In terms of security, Android 15 now allows applications to know if they are recorded. A new API will notify apps when they appear or disappear in a screen recording, which allows them to alert users during sensitive operations. Additionally, another API now gives apps more control over Do Not Disturb settings, including custom types, icons, descriptions, and effects such as grayscale display and night mode.
Android DP2 also introduces HDR headroom control, allowing apps to balance the display of SDR and HDR content. This feature is particularly useful when both types of content are displayed simultaneously, because it prevents the operating system from negatively affecting the brightness of SDR content.
Finally, we can note a significant overhaul for the PDFRenderer API, which adds features like rendering password-protected files, annotations, form editing, and more. Google has also optimized it to speed up local display and reduce resource usage. The API is now part of a Mainline module, meaning it can be updated via Play system updates. For more user-oriented changes, you will have to wait for the first beta version, which will arrive next month.