Android 15 Beta 2 to release tonight with AI advancements

On the first day of Google I/O 2024, the major highlight was artificial intelligence and the Android section of the main keynote was focused on the integration of AI across Google’s platforms. However, Google has reserved the big Android 15 announcements for today (May 15) which will further include the Beta 2.

About The Beta Program

The Android Beta for Pixel will provide an easy way to test pre-release versions of Android and explore new features which got unleashed at the Google I/O event. Enrolled devices will automatically receive updates to the latest beta version of Android. Here are some of the compatible devices eligible for the beta 2 update:

• Google Pixel 8
• Google Pixel 8 Pro
• Google Pixel 7 Pro
• Google Pixel 7
• Realme 12 Pro+
• Nothing Phone (2a)
• Vivo X100
• iQOO 12
• OnePlus 12
• OnePlus Open

Artificial intelligence takes the centre stage

The I/O keynote has focused on AI advancements and Google's efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its ecosystem. The keynote highlighted the Gemini app at the event yesterday, showcasing the enhanced on-device capabilities that AI will power soon.

Anticipating major changes in Android 15 Beta 2

The upcoming Beta 2 is anticipated to bring significant changes which will be expected to coincide with Google which will unveil the major features, setting the stage for the new OS.

• Satellite Connectivity

The satellite connectivity feature will be available in Android 15. However, this feature will depend on the hardware of the phone and not every Android device will get this feature. Users whose phone supports the satellite connectivity feature will be able to access it, and the users will be able to call and message even without a mobile network.

• Find Your Phone (Offline)

Apart from this, the Find Your Phone feature will work without a network in the next OS. As per the reports, users will be able to locate their lost device with the help of Bluetooth connectivity. 

• Powered Off Finding feature

Google is also working on bringing a Powered Off Finding feature, which will help the user find their lost handset even when the device is switched off.

• App Archives

This feature is special because, in Android 15, those applications which are not being used regularly will be removed from the handset. This feature will enable the users to get the convenience of managing the phone's storage. 

Furthermore, the performance of the phone will also improve.

• Battery Health

Users will be able to get the battery health feature in Android smartphones, just like the one we have in an iPhone. This feature will let the user know if the health of a smartphone (battery-wise) is good or not. 

Keeping a handset charged for a long time may affect the battery and with the new Battery Health feature, users will be able to track the battery health of their handset.

• High-quality webcam mode

Users will get access to use their phone as a webcam. Users will be able to access the webcam by connecting their phone to the PC. Yes, this feature was workable with Android earlier, when users used to access some third-party apps, but now it is being used with Android 15 itself.

• Partial screen sharing

This feature will enable the users to share their smartphone screen with other users. But, with this feature, only the tab that the user wants to share will be shared. At present, in screen sharing, the entire screen of the user's smartphone is shared.

• Private Space

Users will get this feature to secure their important apps. Users will be able to secure the apps they want to keep secure in Private Space.

• Sensitive Notifications

This safety feature of Android 15 will prevent OTP messages coming on users' phones from accessing any third-party app. Because of this, users will get a separate layer of security on these devices.

• Edge-to-Edge Apps

This feature will give a better visual experience to the users as they will be able to access their apps on the screen in edge-to-edge mode. Users will further get this feature by default in Android 15.

• Notification Cool Down

Another much-needed security feature that will reduce the amount of continuous notifications that come to a smartphone. Because of this, the bombardment of notifications on the phone will be stopped- saving the device from over-working.

Why was the Google I/O event got spilt into 2-days?

The decision to split the Android announcements over two days has signalled a promising amount of new features and updates which will come in the new operating system. This approach is certainly un upgraded change when compared to the previous year’s announcement, where Android 14 received only a brief mention during the keynote event. 

So, compared to Google I/O 2023, this year, Google has bigger and more advanced plans with more content spilling into a third day with online sessions- scheduled for Thursday.

How to download Android Beta 2 on your handset?

1. Go to google.com/android/beta
2. Select 'Opt in' and choose your device
3. After this, check for updates to install on your handset
4. Usually update of the OS takes an hour but sometimes, it takes longer than usual- so you need to be patient enough.

The new beta update will soon be made available to this Pixel device:

1. Pixel 6
2. Pixel 6 Pro
3. Pixel 6a
4. Pixel 7
5. Pixel 7 Pro 
6. Pixel 7a
7. Pixel Fold
8. Pixel Tablet
9. Pixel 8
10. Pixel 8 Pro
11. Pixel 8a

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