The rollout of Android 15 begins on Pixel devices.
Google has started rolling out Android 15 on Pixel devices. This new version brings AI-powered security features and offers more customization options.
After a period of waiting, Google has begun rolling out Android 15 on eligible devices, particularly on Pixel phones. Although the source code for the open-source version was released last month, the final version of the mobile operating system is now reaching phones and tablets. Pixel devices are the first to receive this update, even though the latest line of phones, the Pixel 9, was introduced in August. Unlike previous occasions, Google did not launch this major OS update alongside its latest flagship phone.
The availability of Android 15 will extend to devices from other manufacturers in the coming months. However, some of these manufacturers may opt for modified versions of the source code. One of the main focuses of Android 15 is security and privacy. Google has introduced a feature called Theft Detection Lock that uses artificial intelligence to protect user data. Additional layers of authentication will be incorporated for SIM extraction and disabling the "Find My Device" feature, thereby enhancing device security. Moreover, users will be able to set up a private space that will make sensitive applications virtually invisible to others.
Among the new functionalities is a simple solution for pinning and unpinning the taskbar on foldable devices and tablets, allowing for more advanced customization of app shortcuts. A new app pairing option has also been introduced to facilitate multitasking, enabling users to save app combinations as icons on the home screen for one-tap access, simplifying file transfers between Google Drive and Gmail, for example.
Additionally, Google is expanding camera options for third-party apps, providing more detailed control over the flash. Users will be able to log into apps that utilize access keys with just one tap. Perhaps one of the most relevant changes is that carrier messaging apps will now support satellite messaging, enabling communication when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
In parallel, Google has also released an update for Pixel that includes support for Theft Detection Lock on devices running Android 10 and later.
