Android 15 features list; Everything you need to know

The launch of the second developer preview version of Android 15 has brought a welcome development to light. The next generation of Google's mobile operating system will be able to send and receive text messages over satellite connections.

This new preview of Android 15 introduces a list of changes, mentioning that the software "continues to expand the platform's compatibility for satellite connectivity." The detail of this new function demonstrates that apps installed on the mobile can use a parameter to detect if a satellite connects to the device.

The developers state that this will let these apps understand why there might be no full network services available. They also say that Android 15 will let SMS and MMS applications use satellite connections to send and receive messages. RCS apps preloaded in the OS will also have the same capability.

The latter likely directly refers to the Google Messages app, which handles text messaging by default on the vast majority of Android smartphones on the market. This is at least the case for those smartphones arriving with services from the Californian firm pre-installed.

Android 15's screenshot also demonstrates how it will inform users when they connect to a satellite. The system notification will show that the phone has automatically connected to a satellite network. "You can now send and receive messages without a mobile network or WiFi", states the notice. It will also offer the opportunity to open the messaging app or to learn more about how this option functions.

List of Android 15 features and changes

Category	Guy	Name
Camera and multimedia content	New features and API	Android 15 debuts improved camera control extensions on supported devices.
Camera and multimedia content	New features and API	HDR Headroom Control
Camera and multimedia content	Low	Use Spatializer instead of a virtualizer
Connectivity	New features and API	Satellite Support
Main functionality	Change (all apps)	Package Stop Status Changes
Productivity and developer tools	New features and API	Improvements to automatic language switching
Productivity and developer tools	New features and API	OpenJDK 17 Updates
Large displays and form factors	New features and API	Support for cover screens
Restrictions on non-SDK interfaces	Change (apps targeting version 15 or later)	Updates to restrictions on non-SDK interfaces
Privacy	New features and API	Screen recording detection
Privacy	New features and API	Expanded IntentFilter features
Privacy	New features and API	Health Connect
Security	New features and API	Protect files with fs-verity
User experience	Change (apps targeting version 15 or later)	The elegantTextHeight attribute defaults to true

Android 15 prepares to embrace satellite connectivity

Be careful, just because the Android 15 version supports the send and receive text messages feature through a satellite, it doesn't necessarily mean all phones automatically activate this feature upon updating to that version of the operating system. Google is preparing its software to support this functionality once different providers offer it.

For example, Starlink is already testing Direct to Cell technology to provide all phones that can access LTE networks with satellite connectivity. SpaceX, the company that owns the service, is collaborating with operators such as T-Mobile, Rogers, Salt, and Entel, among others, to test it on their terrestrial networks. The idea is to enable mobile phones in the future to connect directly with Elon Musk's constellation. The incorporation of state-of-the-art eNodeB modems in the satellites will make this possible by allowing them to work as cell phone towers from space.

The fact that Android 15 is paving the way for satellite SMS indicates potential news in the communications sector this year. The iPhone's introduction of Emergency SOS has proven itself as a very important feature with established real-world use cases. Qualcomm, while developing a solution similar to Apple's Snapdragon Satellite, had to cancel it due to a lack of interest from manufacturers in adopting it.

We'll see if Android 15's advances make implementing this feature on Pixels and other smartphones with this OS easier. People expect the new operating system to be one of the main stars of Google I/O 2024. The Californian firm will hold its traditional conference for developers on May 14 and 15.

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