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Jan Johannsen
News + Trends
308

Android 15 gets satellite connection and PDF improvements

Jan Johannsen
22/3/2024
Translation: machine translated

Google is integrating satellite connections into Android 15 and you should also be able to use PDFs better on smartphones and tablets.

The second developer version of Android 15 reveals new functions for the next major update to Google's operating system. There are satellite connections, consistency in audio playback, better PDFs and simplified NFC payments, as well as more options for the small external displays of flip smartphones.

Satellite emergency call becomes standard

Updating to Android 15 does not automatically connect an old smartphone to satellites. Manufacturers must install the necessary hardware and you may need to install additional software. Google's reference to pre-installed RCS apps suggests that the Pixel 9 will receive a satellite emergency call function in the Messages app in autumn.

Loudness standard, improvements to NFC and PDF

Android 15 supports the CTA-2075 loudness standard, which is designed to ensure that sound from your smartphone sounds the same no matter which device you play it on. This should be particularly interesting if you change the output device. A negative example of different loudness is TV advertising, which sounds much louder than the film it interrupts.

Android 15 simplifies contactless payment via the Near Field Chip (NFC). Corresponding apps can now access the one-tap function, perform authentication directly on first contact with a reader and carry out the payment process.

Google also promises substantial improvements for PDFs. These include support for password-protected files and annotations for third-party apps. You should also be able to fill out forms and search entire PDF files.

Android 15 now recognises whether your smartphone screen is being recorded. This is primarily intended as a security function in case malware does this inconspicuously in the background.

Flip smartphones with a small external display should also benefit from the update. Apps will have more options for interacting with the small screen if it is not suitable for a full-screen view.

Google's Vice President of Engineering, Dave Burke, has summarised all the changes in a blog post.

Beta versions from April

Google's schedule for Android 15 includes beta versions from April. These will then be available for a larger group of people to try out. The Google I/O developer conference will take place in mid-May. The biggest innovations are likely to be announced at this event. Finally, Google plans to release the final version of Android 15 in August. It may well be another few months before it arrives with other manufacturers.

Header image: Jan Johannsen

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Jan Johannsen
Senior Editor
Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.de

As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus. 

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