Google shows new features coming to Android 15: Private Space, Theft Detection Lock, more

Android 15 features: Google is hosting its annual developers’ conference, Google I/O 2024, at its headquarters in Mountain View, California right. As a part of the event, the company has released the second beta version of its upcoming mobile operating system, Android 15. In addition to that, the company has also showcased the new features that will arrive on all supported Android 15 device when its official roll-out begins later this year.

“Today, we’re introducing the second beta of Android 15 and sharing more ways we’re improving the OS to help you stay safe and get the most out of your device ecosystem,” Google wrote in its blog post.

Before we take you through the new features coming to Android 15, here a list of the smartphones that support Android 15 beta:

— OnePlus 12

— iQOO 12

— OnePlus Open

— Realme 12 Pro+

— Vivo X100

— Nothing Phone (2a)

Image: Google

Android 15: 10 New features coming to your smartphones

Private Space

This feature lets users create a separate space with an extra layer of authentication to keep their sensitive apps secure and away from prying eyes. Google says that this feature offers enhanced protection for sensitive apps, such as banking apps, by isolating their data and notifications from the rest of a user’s phone.

Furthermore, users can set up a separate lock for private space and hide its existence altogether.

Theft Detection Lock

This feature will help users keep their personal and financial data safe even if their phone is ever snatched from them. It will use Google AI to sense if someone has snatched the phone from its owner and is on a run, on bike or driving away with it. “If a theft motion is detected, it will be quickly locked down to keep your information out of the wrong hands,” Google added.

Real-time protection against fraudulent apps

This feature is a part of Google Play Protect and it will use on-device AI to spot apps that might engage in fraud or phishing. Google says that this live threat detection feature will analyze how apps use sensitive permissions and interact with other apps to spot suspicious behavior in real-time.

If it finds something that looks malicious, the app will be sent to Google for additional review post which the company will warn users or disable the app altogether.

RCS coming to Japan

RCS is already available in Google Messages in most countries across the globe. Now, Google is planning to bring it to Japan in partnership with KDDI.

Google Wallet improvements

Improvements to Google Wallet will let users add items to the app from a photo. When Android 15 rolls out, users will be able to create a digital version of most passes that contain text. All users will need to do is take a photo of the pass or the card and add it to their wallet.

This feature will be available only in the US.

AR content in Google Maps

Google is also bringing AR content directly in Google Maps on users’ phones. This feature will help users to learn more about a location in new and immersive ways.

Android in your car

Google is bringing Google Cast (formerly known as Chromecast built-in) to cars with Android Automotive OS. With this feature, users will be able to cast video content from their phones or tablets to their cars.

Google TV gets smarter

Google is bringing Gemini to Google TV. This will make it easier for users to pick what to watch with AI-generated descriptions on the homescreen that will be personalised based on a user’s genre of choice and actor preferences. Google says that AI-generated descriptions will also fill in missing or untranslated descriptions for movies and shows.

WearOS 5 updates

Google is bringing battery life optimizations to WearOS 5. In addition to that, fitness apps will be able to help improve a user’s performance with the option to support more data types such ground contact time, stride length and vertical oscillation.

Smarter connectivity features

Google is updating Fast Pair to help users track their accessory’s battery life and locate missing devices with the new Find My Device experience that is rolling out globally.