As per the latest reports on Android 15, the upcoming iteration of Google’s renowned operating system, set to bring significant enhancements to both app compatibility and camera functionality. According to recent findings, Android 15 may enforce higher minimum requirements for apps while also implementing measures to weed out outdated applications.
Also, Pixel smartphone users can anticipate the introduction of a high-quality mode for the webcam feature, promising an enhanced photography and videography experience.
Let’s delve deeper into these anticipated updates and their potential impact on the Android ecosystem.
Android 15 Could Raise Minimum Requirement for Apps and Block Outdated Apps: Report
Android 15 could block some of the apps that are currently on the Google Play Store or available in third-party marketplaces, as per a report.
Google is rumour to bring the next generation of its operating system for Android devices in the latter half of 2024.
With the release of the Android 15 Developer Preview 2 on 21st March 2024, many new features were showcase.
Now, a report suggests that Google could raise the minimum requirement for apps with the upcoming OS update.
As per report, the software development kit (SDK) requirement was change and now support a higher version.
With every new OS update, Google adds new features and security parameters to the Android ecosystem.
But, it gives developers enough time to catch up to the latest requirements.
For example, as of now, on Android 14, developers are ask to target Android 6.0 or Marshmallow, which was release in 2015.
That OS was significant as it require apps to obtain consent from users for sensitive permissions separately such as access to camera, address book, call logs, and many more.
But now, the report found that the Android 15 DP2 build is not allowing apps that target Android 6.0-based SDK 23 to be install on devices.
Instead, it is now asking for SDK version 24 which is Android 7.1.
Running a test of trying to install an app that was not brought up to SDK 24, the report found that a smartphone running Android 14 was able to easily install and run it.
But, when the experiment was conduct on the Android 15 DP2-power Google Pixel 8 Pro, an error comes up which stated “INSTALL_FAILED_DEPRECATED_SDK_VERSION”.
Even when attempting to sideload the app, the OS pop up a message saying the app was unsafe to install.
The message is not new and sideloading apps generally prompt that alert.
But, the surprising part was that the Install anyway button that shows up afterwards did not do anything and the app was not able to be install.
Based on the findings, it appears that apps that are still targeting Android 6.0 are likely to stop working after Android 15 is release globally.
But, it is to be note that not many apps today target SDK 23 as developers try to increase the app version to the latest Android standard.
Android 15 to Offer High-Quality Mode for Webcam Feature on Google Pixel Smartphones: Report
Android 15 is set to arrive in the second half of 2024 with many new features in tow, and these features are expect to arrive on Google’s Pixel phones, before they make their way to other Android-powered handsets.
Google is also reportedly working on improving a feature that lets you use your Android phone as a webcam.
As per report, the webcam feature introduce on Pixel smartphones will receive an upgrade on Android 15.
The publication previously test the webcam feature on the Google Pixel 8 Pro alongside Apple’s Continuity Camera for iPhone models that offers the same feature and found that the latter offers far better video quality.
Google could reportedly close this gap with the next version of Android.
When Android 15 arrives later 2024, the webcam mode will reportedly feature a new HQ button that turns on a high-quality mode, as per the report.
Unlike the default mode that has available since Android 14, this mode is said to disable power optimisations that sacrifice video quality in order to conserve battery, resulting in improve video record while in webcam mode.
It is currently unclear what impact enabling the high-quality battery will have on battery life, compare to the standard mode.
Google’s webcam feature only works in wired mode, so the connect USB cable could help reduce the battery drain to some extent, but users who are expecting to take longer calls might want to consider switching to the regular mode.
Support for the new high-quality mode is already enable on the latest Android 12 DP 2 release, and users who have install the preview on their Google Pixel smartphones can now test out the feature and compare it to the original mode.
Google is working on many improvements to existing features, while adding a few new ones to Android 15.
These include native support for satellite connectivity, improve NFC functionality, better support for apps on foldable phones’ cover screens, and support for configuring app archiving.
All of these features are likely to make their way to the final release when it is release in the second half of 2024.
