Google has officially released Android 15, but for now only for developers. A consumer release is expected soon, reports The Verge. The new version of Android will let you recognize music using Google Assistant, receive earthquake alerts, read web pages aloud in the Chrome browser, and more.
Google is focusing its new operating system on fine-tuning the way apps and devices interact with each other. In the future, there will be support for one-touch login to app and website accounts using a fingerprint scanner, improved anti-theft protection, optimized multitasking for devices with large screens, and the ability to restrict access to certain apps.
One of the significant updates of Android 15 is the TalkBack screen reader, which Google talked about at the Google I/O conference. Now the utility will be integrated with the Gemini AI assistant and will be able to issue voice descriptions of images on the smartphone screen, including facilitating access to visual information for people with disabilities.
The Circle to Search feature has an interesting Shazam-like music recognition feature. By clicking a special button, you can get information about the song, including the title, artist and link to the YouTube video. Circle to Search will be able to recognize not only music from videos, but also from songs played from speakers in public places.
An important innovation will be the expansion of the earthquake warning system, which will initially be available to all US states. The company previously partnered with the US Geological Survey (USGS) and its ShakeAlert system to provide warnings in California, Oregon and Washington based on data from traditional seismometers.
US users without access to ShakeAlert will now be able to receive earthquake notifications using data from the accelerometers on their Android devices. If multiple devices in an area detect a vibration, Android Earthquake Alerts will analyze “user-collected data to determine if an earthquake is occurring,”, Google explains. It is noted that this feature has already been implemented in almost 100 countries around the world.
In addition to these innovations, Android 15 will include the option to read web pages aloud in the Chrome browser, as well as support for offline Google Maps in Wear OS 5. The source code for Android 15 is now available in open source (AOSP ). Pixel smartphone users will get the update in the coming weeks, but owners of devices from Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, Nothing and other brands will have to wait a few more months.