Google has announced the release of Android 15 Developer Preview 1, providing developers with an early glimpse into the future of Android. This marks the ninth year of Google offering a preview of the upcoming Android version before its stable launch later this year.
One notable change this year is that the preview is starting in February, giving developers more time to offer feedback and update their apps. This extended timeframe aims to ensure a smoother transition for developers and improve the overall stability and compatibility of apps.
Protecting User Privacy and Security
Android 15 Developer Preview 1 introduces several features aimed at enhancing user privacy and security. The update includes the latest versions of the Privacy Sandbox on Android and Health Connect, which introduces new fitness, nutrition, and other data types. Additionally, partial screen sharing and Casting from Android 14 QPR2 are mentioned as new additions.
Another notable addition is the FileIntegrityManager, which offers APIs that leverage the power of the fs-verity feature in the Linux kernel. This feature allows files to be protected by custom cryptographic signatures, ensuring they haven’t been tampered with or corrupted. This enhanced security helps protect against potential malware or unauthorized file modifications that could compromise app functionality or data.
Supporting Creators
Android 15 Developer Preview 1 introduces In-app Camera Controls, providing developers with more control over the camera hardware and algorithms on supported devices. These controls offer features such as low light enhancements, which allow developers to boost the brightness of the camera preview, and advanced flash strength adjustments for precise control of flash intensity while capturing images.
Furthermore, Android 15 extends Universal MIDI Packets (UMP) support to virtual MIDI apps, enabling composition applications to control synthesizer apps as virtual MIDI 2.0 devices. This opens up new possibilities for music creation and composition on Android devices.
Performance and Quality Improvements
Google is introducing new capabilities through the Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF) to improve performance and quality. These APIs allow games and other performance-intensive apps to interact more directly with the power and thermal systems of Android devices.
Supported Android 15 devices will offer a power-efficiency mode for hint sessions, allowing associated threads to prioritize power saving over performance. This mode is ideal for long-running background workloads. Additionally, GPU and CPU work durations can now be reported in hint sessions, enabling the system to adjust CPU and GPU frequencies together to meet workload demands. Thermal headroom thresholds are also introduced to interpret possible thermal throttling status based on headroom prediction.
Developer Productivity
Android 15 Developer Preview 1 brings more OpenJDK APIs, including quality-of-life improvements around NIO buffers, streams, security, and more. These additions aim to enhance developer productivity and make it easier to build high-quality apps for the Android platform.
Release Schedule and Availability
Android 15 Developer Preview system images are currently available for selected Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro. The Android Emulator is also supported.
Once a preview build is manually installed, future updates will be delivered over-the-air for all later previews and Betas. The public-facing Android Beta is expected to launch in April.
It’s important to note that the Developer Preview 1 build may encounter an issue with sideloading, causing the device to display a “Device is corrupted” message. To avoid this, Google recommends flashing a factory image for testing purposes instead of sideloading an OTA system image.
Developers currently using Android 14 QPR3 are advised to move to Developer Preview 1 to ensure a smooth transition. The Android 15 Developer Preview is intended for developers only and not intended for daily or consumer use.
To download and installing click below,
- Pixel 8 Pro: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 8: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel Tablet: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel Fold: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 7a: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 7 Pro: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 7: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 6a: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 6 Pro: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 6: Factory Image — OTA
