Google I/O 2024 is when Android 15 shines.
The latest major software update for Android devices grabbed plenty of attention at Google’s annual developer showcase on Wednesday. It might not be the most comprehensive version of Android ever, but aside from some cool privacy features and the neat addition of Google Wallet, there’s still something to look forward to in a major Android update.
According to Google’s blog post, here are the 3 best Android 15 features announced by Google at I/O.
theft detection
Two of the three biggest new features in Android 15 are related to privacy, but not necessarily in the “hackers trying to steal your credit card information” way. The new theft detection feature is designed to combat real-life robbers and scoundrels who would try to steal your phone from you.
Google doesn’t explain in detail how theft detection works, but it apparently uses artificial intelligence (what doesn’t?) to determine whether a “theft action” has occurred (such as snatching a phone from someone and running away). By then, the phone will be completely locked and theoretically unavailable to thieves.
Of course, whether this works will largely depend on whether Google’s artificial intelligence can correctly detect “stealing motions” rather than locking the phone every time the owner goes for a run.
Mix and match speed of light
private space
Other new privacy features should also help if people other than you have access to your phone.
According to Google’s blog post, private spaces allow you to hide entire apps behind some kind of authentication mechanism, such as a fingerprint scan, before you can access them. Ideally, you would do this using a tool like a banking app that may contain important personal financial information.
Personally, my banking app already scans my fingerprint when I open it, so this feature will let me do that twice Just to check my balance. But hey, more security is always a good thing, and it’s optional.
Add content to Google Wallet via photos
Finally, Google Wallet is about to get even more convenient.
While smartphone wallets typically work with items with QR codes, Google Wallet now allows you to add them to the app by taking a photo of a text-only document. Examples from Google include library cards and gym membership cards, which you can scan into Google Wallet.
Android 15 is expected to start rolling out in the third quarter of 2024.
