Android
Android 15 Developer Preview 1 is out with new Gaming and Privacy features
The wait is over and Android 15 Developer Preview 1 is out with exciting features related to almost every aspect of your device. This time, Google has covered each section including games, privacy, and more to boost the software experience.
Developer Preview offers an early look at the software and gives a slight idea about what new the company will serve its smartphone users with the next major upgrade.
So without any delay, let’s dive into the Android 15 DP1
Android 15 Developer Preview 1: Features
To begin with, Google has immensely focused on the privacy segment. Eventually, the company upgraded the Privacy Sandbox suite and the Health Connect capability to enable Android device users to have better control of their data.
On the flip side, the firmware brings a partial screen-sharing and casting feature to cover a specific app instead of the entire screen of your phone. The respective function is derived from the Android 14 QPR2 beta build.
Moving on, the DP1 introduces FileIntegrityManager, which uses the fs-verity feature in the Linux kernel. From the name, it shields your files and data from being corrupted by cryptographic signatures. It also looks after enhanced security and protects your file from potential malware or unauthorized file alterations.
Camera Controls
Google has even optimized the camera controls for developers and let them have a good grip over camera hardware and algorithms for eligible devices.
It further enhances low light segments to boost the brightness of the camera preview and provides advanced flash strength adjustments for precise control on single and torch modes when capturing images.
Gaming Capabilities
Android 15 brings virtual MIDI 2.0 and Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF) so that performance-intensive apps can interact more directly with the power and thermal systems of Android devices. These mainly include:
- Power-Efficiency Mode for long-running background workloads
- Thermal headroom thresholds to represent possible thermal status
- Adjustment for CPU and GPU frequencies.
Availability
As usual, the first developer preview of Android 15 will make its way to the latest Pixel flagship models. It has the DP1 (AP31.240119.016) build version along with the February 2024 security patch for the following Pixel phones and tablets:
- Pixel 8
- Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Android Emulator
Note that the firmware is only available for developers for testing and not for consumer use. You can install it through manual download or sideloading techniques. Once installed, you will continue to get future updates via OTA.
Although, the U.S. tech giant warned developers:
“An issue with sideloading the Developer Preview 1 build can sometimes cause the device to show a Device is corrupted message after sideloading is completed. To work around this issue, we recommend that developers flash a factory image to test devices whenever possible instead of sideloading an OTA system image.”
(Source)