The highly anticipated Android 15 is set to launch this October, bringing with it a suite of advancements, including groundbreaking support for satellite messaging, an innovation in development for the past year.
This enhancement will provide users with real-time notifications about their connectivity status. A boosted status bar indicator will denote whether a connection is afforded via traditional terrestrial means or if it is satellite-linked. This increased transparency is primed to alter device management and data usage practices, potentially saving users both time and money.
The NonTerrestrialNetwork API introduced by Android 15 is set to revolutionize app performance in areas with slower, limited internet. Developers will have the opportunity to tailor their apps to operate optimally over satellite-based networks, especially for pre-installed applications, increasing reliability and overall performance.
However, access to the RCS public API will still be restricted, hindering Play Store applications from using RCS. This continuous restriction means developers will have to keep working within this boundary when enhancing their app functionality.
Android 15 is also planning a significant upgrade to its native PDF renderer. Changes will be seen in the form of updates available via the Play Store that include editing protected files, form editing, annotations, search features, and the all-new select-and-copy function.
The new version will also boost compatibility with flip phone-style foldable devices. Introducing the ‘cover screen support’ property and a ‘continuity API’, apps will be able to better adjust between different screen states, regardless of the device’s position. But, developers will still need to grapple with unique challenges presented by these smaller screen formats.
Currently, the second developer preview of Android 15 is available, though the beta program is not yet operational. It’s important to note that these initial previews majorly cater to developers with a formal announcement for new user-focused features slated for May 14.
