Google debuts new features in Android 15, the updated version of Wear OS, improved Google TV, and more on the second day of I/O.
Upgrading of Android ecosystem was the main focus on the second day of Google’s I/O developer conference. The company united its hardware teams, and pixel devices with its Android ecosystem, where everything is powered by Android (plus Chrome OS). The announcement made today covered all aspects of that platform. From Android 15 to Wear OS 5.
Explore the new features below;
New Top-Notch Features of Android
Android 15, which is the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, comes with some new remarkable features, however, these features will soon be made available for existing devices through the Play Store and app updates as well without requiring over-the-air OS upgrades. (The new features for Android 15 will be indicated.) One of my colleagues, Simon Hill, has published an article on top Android features with guidelines to download the beta. Check out the amazing highlights below.
Private Space
Several Android makers let you keep some specific apps private through bio metric authentication, but Google is committed to introducing this feature in Android called Private Space. Private Space is exceptional to Android 15 because according to Dave Burke, Google’s VP of engineering on Android, Hacking one’s confidential information is not a daunting task anymore. The team’s approach to making this work was brain-racking but the results are satisfactory, now Android apps are private.
Private Space is not a built-in feature for your apps, which means you can make a password for any apps that you want to be private rather than setting up a password to unlock your phone. To keep the notifications hidden, just add the desired apps to the Private Space and nobody can access that app even if they go whole hog. Clearing Private Space is an immediate action as well.
Theft Detection Lock
Theft Detection Lock is not Android 15 exceptional and will be launched this year. According to Google, this feature uses “Google AI” to figure out if your phone has been snatched, not just that but the feature is efficient enough and can distinguish between you going for a run and someone who’s fast on the heels. As soon as theft is detected, this feature locks the phone to keep your apps and sensitive information safe.
Moreover, your phone will be locked and even a factory reset won’t work, the password will be required to access the device which makes the theft useless. Another feature called “Remote Lock” allows you to lock your screen remotely. If your cell number is added, you’re able to call the phone on any device and enter a security challenge to prevent login attempts.
Furthermore, Google adds, that Google Play Protect will be able to identify suspicious or fraudulent apps through on-device AI. Play Protect has been offering this already, sans the app but it might not catch everything. On-device AI enables the user to know how an app is using their confidential information and detects any mistrustful activities and that too without requiring individual data.
Less Restriction on Google Wallet
Google Wallet has gone beyond handling payments, Now you’re able to add loyalty cards, transit cards, gym memberships, boarding passé, and concert tickets along with credit cards. Additionally, another update arriving before year-end will let you create a digital version of passes by just clicking its photo. Attach the photo on Google Wallet and Google will give you a digital version, however acceptance of these digital versions is not guaranteed.
Mixed Reality Headset: Google’s New Alert
It has been a year since Google and Samsung started to work on mixed-reality headset with Qualcomm. 2024 was the expected year for launching mixed reality headsets. Google gave me confirmation that it had nothing to share at I/O on the headset’s development, however, the company triggered an augmented reality experience with Google Maps and now you might see something new on the device when it arrives.
Additionally, Google Maps will let you gain access to AR content when searching locations. To see augmented content appear in the real world, hit the “AR experience” button and bring your phone up. You don’t have to travel halfway across the world but you can control it remotely.
A six-month pilot program in Singapore and Paris is going to take place for AR experiences. Google adds, that its art and culture team is working with the Singapore Tourism Board to build these experiences. In a press release, Google also reports, “These AR experiences will establish a framework for extended reality (XR) platform that we’re building in cooperation with Samsung and Qualcomm for the Android system”
Sameer Samat, Google’s president of Android ecosystem, says Google is eager to give AR and XR its moment, indicating the launch in the second half. “It must be launched as a new form factor but not at this event because a lot is happening.
Wear OS 5
Google’s and Samsung’s effort to rebuild Wear OS in 2022 seems to be reaping rewards. According to Burke, Wear OS is being used in more than 160 countries and regions and its growth has been increased by 40% in 2022. A lot of Android makers like Oppo, One-plus, and Xiaomi have Wear OS smartwatches on the market.
The next version is Wear OS 5 and will arrive before year-end and it will be for Android 14. The upcoming version is going to be battery-efficient. Bruce told me that upgrading from Wear 4 to Wear 5 will reduce the battery consumption by 20% when running a marathon. This seems specific because not every person is running a marathon daily.
The new data types for running show you various kinds of fitness data, like, ground contact time, and stride length. Vertical oscillation, and vertical ratio. Developers can also benefit from Wear OS 5, it can give them better tools to adapt apps for larger watch screens.
Android Automotive OS
Are you passionate about Android Auto? Google got you.
According to Google, they have more than 200 million vehicles synchronized with Android auto mode on the roads. Almost 40 car models based on Google built-in. This Android auto isn’t powered by a smartphone. The new update will focus on bringing more apps to the experience.
Google is ensuring that you’ll be able to play your favorite shows or even you will able to play your favorite games on the car option. Keeping in mind the safety issue Google says these features will only be accessible in car is on parking mode.
Google’s cast technology will come to vehicles with Android automotive OS. First of all, it will come to Rivian, a company that makes the electric vehicles
A versatile Update in Android TV
Burke says “Android TV is the top TV OS in the world.” Use of Android TV has been expanded by 47% year-over-year and more than 220 million active TVs are running Android TV, more than 300 TV partners
Google’s Gemini large language model now powers Android TV. Users will soon be able to see AI-generated descriptions of content while sitting at home on their screens. These are personalized so they depend on the user’s genre and actor preferences.