Android 15 is here. Let's talk about it.
The latest build of Google's mobile operating system is finally upon us as of this week, and that means you're probably wondering what exactly it does. The good news is that Google put up a blog post more or less detailing exactly that.
Here are all of the major new features in Android 15, which is now available on devices like the new Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Android 15: Every big new feature
Android 15 doesn't seem that major as big new OS updates go, but there are still a handful of useful-sounding additions here.
Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock
Android 15 brings in a couple of new anti-theft features that could be life-saving. First up is Theft Detection Lock, which uses AI to sense if someone has taken your phone with the intent of running, driving, or biking away. The phone should automatically lock in those scenarios, but if it doesn't, Remote Lock lets you lock it yourself from any other phone, just by calling your phone number and putting in a security code.
Private space
Do you have certain apps on your phone that you don't want other people to see or know about? Don't worry, no judgment here. Everyone does, whether they want to admit it or not.
The good news is that Android 15 has something for you. You can create "private spaces" for designated apps, meaning you need to pass a security check (like a fingerprint scan) before you can see or open them. You can even hide the existence of the private space itself, for an extra layer of security.
App pairing
Google's blog post didn't forget about the other Android devices it makes, like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel Tablet. Devices with bigger screens got a couple of other new toys to play with.
The main one is app pairing, which lets you combine two apps into one app icon on your home screen. When you tap the icon, the two apps open at the same time in a multi-tasking view. The example Google gave in the blog post is combining Gmail and Google Drive, so you can drag files from one to the other. I'm sure you can think of other ways to use app pairing that are more exciting than that.
Circle to Search...for music
Android has its own Shazam equivalent now.
Google actually started gradually rolling this out in August, but it's worth noting anyway. Hold down the home button to activate Circle to Search like you normally would while a song is playing. There should be a music note icon you can tap, at which point your device will take a few seconds to listen to the song before telling you what it is.
Not revolutionary by any means, but hey, it'll be useful.
App archiving
Last but not least, you can get rid of apps without losing any of your app data.
If you want to create space in your phone's internal storage, you can choose to archive apps rather than fully delete them. This will free up space, but you'll keep all the app's data intact. If you feel like reinstalling the app, it'll be like it never left. This isn't particularly revolutionary (the Nintendo Switch can do this), but it is nice to have.
