5 ways that Android 15 on Pixel is going to be way more customizable for users

Date:
Wed, 22 May 2024 02:01:26 +0000

Description:
Deep dives into Android 15 Beta 2 reveal Google might launch an album screensaver tool, vibration controls, and more.

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The second Android 15 beta came out not too long ago, on May 15. According to the official Android Developers Blog , the patch continues Googles efforts at creating a platform that improves productivity, maximizes app performance,
and protects user privacy.

However, the post didnt mention all the different ways Android 15 will
upgrade system customization. As people have dug deep into the OS files, many of its other features have been unearthed, with several of them providing new ways to customize a smartphone.

Below is a list highlighting the most notable of these possible tools.
Android 15 wont launch for a while, so there's a chance that some will not be in the final release. Its hard to say, but given their seemingly advanced states, we believe they will be available at launch or soon after. 1. Slideshow screensavers (Image credit: 9To5Google)

In June 2023, a mysterious Google app called Dreams was discovered on the
Play Store. It was for the Pixel Tablet and allowed the device to play a collection of screen savers when docked and not in use. Nothing really came
of it, though, as Dreams just disappeared from the store.

It appears, though, that the same feature will be making its way to Pixel phones as Android 15 Beta 2 refers to Dreamliner within its files. When
docked on the second-generation Pixel Stand , users can select photo albums
on their device to be a slideshow as a screensaver. Moreover, the Google Photos UI has been updated to accommodate Dreamliner and not the Google Assistant. 2. Widget buttons and previews (Image credit: 9To5Google)

Adding widgets to your Android phones requires manually dragging and dropping apps from the Home screen. However, evidence suggests that Google plans to introduce an "Add button." So, instead of having to drag the widget over, you can just push the button and attach them that way. Images in 9To5Googles report show that there will be a big blue button right where a widget space
is available. 3. Pixel Avatar (Image credit: Androig Authority)

Industry insider Mishaal Rahman discovered an unbundled version of Google Pixel Avatar inside the beta files. This is an app that allows users to
select an icon to be their profile picture. Rahman states the software has been a part of Android for a while now, but it adds a new feature: the
ability to use your Google Account picture as your [main] profile picture.

Prior to this update, Google Account and Android profile images existed as separate entities. Now, the barrier is gone, allowing one photo for both platforms. Its important to mention that this capability actually came out on the first Android 15 beta, but the syncing process wasnt very reliable.
Things should be much better now.

There is no word if itll work with third-party apps, as the current version only connects the Pixel Avatar with SystemUI apps. 4. Cast volume controls (Image credit: Google)

Audio company Sonos sued Google for an alleged patent infringement back in 2020, claiming the tech giant ripped off its patented speaker technology. Google eventually disabled the ability to use a Pixel phones volume buttons
to control speaker groups and other Chrome and Google cast devices. Sonos seemingly won the lawsuit, however a California judge overturned the verdict in 2023, paving the way for Google to bring back volume controls and thats exactly what were seeing.

Its the return of a feature people initially thought would never return. Android Authority was able to cast songs from YouTube Music to Nest Hub devices using Beta 2 of Android 15. Adjusting the speaker group volume worked without a hitch. So, after years of waiting, users may soon finally create
(or recreate) their ideal listening environment. 5. Vibration strength (Image credit: 9To5Google)

Lastly, Google is adding a new Adaptive Vibration tool to Pixel . According
to the text description, the software can automatically adjust the
smartphones vibration level based on your environment. Phone vibration wont
be as powerful on a table, for example, but if it detects its on a couch, the Pixel would vibrate more loudly. The device will be able to detect where its located by using the microphone and other sensors to determine sound levels and context. Maybe most importantly, no data will be recorded.

It's unknown whether these features will roll out to third-party Android phones. Google may possibily be giving Pixel owners the opportunity to try them out first before expanding their availability.

Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best Android phones for 2024 . You might also like Android 15 could give your phone a 3-hour battery boost Chrome report reveals which extension could be slowing down your browser the most Android 15 could give your phones storage page a small-but-mighty makeover



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/5-ways-that-android-15-on-pixel-i s-going-to-be-way-more-customizable-for-users


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