The first preview of Android 15 for developers seeks to strengthen security and privacy

Google has presented the first developer preview of the next version of its operating system, Android 15which reveals some of its new functionalities focused on the privacy and security of users, as well as features related to the photography section and the performance of the devices.

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In March of last year, analyst Mishaal Rahman noticed mentions of Android 15 in the source code of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), a repository where information and source code for Android operating systems are offered.

Because it was the version of the operating system with the letter ve (‘V’), and based on the company’s tradition of naming its operating systems after desserts, Google had chosen one that began with that letter, ‘VanillaIceCream’ (vanilla ice cream).

Android 15. (Photo: Google)

The company has now shared news regarding Android 15, whose developer preview is now available on the latest Pixel models (from Pixel 6 to Pixel 8).

With this, he has clarified that he will continue working on this software until the release of its latest public update for AOSP and original equipment manufacturers (OEM).

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Google has recalled that it will be releasing updates for development environments and that each update includes software development kit (SDK) tools, emulators and other references to the application programming interface (API).

With this, he has shared the planned timeline for this launch, where he will keep Android 15 as a preview for developers until March, with the intention of launching the first betas starting in April. Compatibility tests will arrive in June to proceed to the official launch at the end of this year.

Improving security is one of Google’s goals for Android 15. (Pixabay/)

As the company explained on its website, it has focused on developing new technologies for Android 15 that improve user privacy and enable advertising experiences Customized for mobile applications.

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This will be possible with the incorporation of the latest version of Privacy Sandboxa proposal to ensure the privacy of online users by eliminating third-party tracking cookies in Chrome with alternative APIs to continue distributing personalized advertising.

Likewise, it adds new APIs that take advantage of the function fs-verity in the Linux kernel, which allows you to protect system files using custom cryptographic signatures, helping ensure that they have not been tampered with or damaged.

On the other hand, the new version of the Google operating system integrates Android 14 extensions in Health Connect, a centralized platform intended for the management of data collected by health and fitness applications. In this sense, the firm has commented that this update adds support for new information such as records related to the nutrition section.

It also supports partial screen sharing, so users can share or record just an app window, rather than the entire device screen, a feature that It was already present in Android 14 QPR2.

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The device’s camera will also benefit from the latest version of Android, as it adds new extensions to have more control over the camera’s ‘hardware’ and its algorithms, offering, for example, improvements in photography in low light conditions. improve brightness in preview or advanced flash intensity settings.

Android 15 also advances the support for connecting to MIDI devices that was introduced in the Android 13 version. The novelty includes support for virtual MIDI applications through UMP.

Finally, the technology firm has indicated that the operating system demonstrates the evolution of Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF), A set of APIs that allow high-performance games and applications to interact directly with the thermal systems of the devices themselves.

Thus, compatible devices will include a new energy efficiency mode, which promotes energy savings in long-running background workloads, as well as the ability for the CPU and GPU to adjust their frequencies to improve efficiency of smartphones.

Source: Elcomercio