Google recently released the Android 15 beta 3 update for its Pixel devices namely- Pixel 6a, 6 and 6 Pro, Pixel 7a, 7 and 7 Pro, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 8a, 8 and 8 Pro. This update includes several new improvements that improve the user experience and prepare developers for the final release of Android 15. After the rollout of the Android 15 beta 3 version, Google has announced that the platform will reach 'platform stability'. In simple terms, this means that developers' APIs (API level 35) and all app-facing behaviors are now final. They can now confidently start final compatibility testing and prepare for their apps.
But what changes have come in the beta 3 version? Let's take a look at the main features of Android 15 beta 3.
Also Read | Apple may launch an affordable version of Vision Pro next year, this is the possible price
Key features of Android 15 Beta 3 version
- Improved credential manager: With this latest update, users will now benefit from a much more streamlined sign-in process in apps that will run on the Android 15 beta OS. This new update will let the user use a passkey along with facial recognition, fingerprint, or screen lock in a single step. If the sign-in prompt is dismissed, passkey and credential manager suggestions will pop up in your keyboard's suggestion row and username/password dropdown menu.
- Force close behavior update: If an app is forced to close, it will remain paused until it is manually relaunched. The Beta 3 update also affects widgets associated with the app. Widgets will appear in gray when an app is forced to close.
- Deprecating WebSQL in Android WebView: WebSQL in Android WebView will be deprecated, and will not work for the next 12 months, which aligns with its removal from Chrome. Developers are being encouraged to transition to 'Web Storage API' technologies, such as 'indexdb', which was recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
- Increasing the memory page size: This update will also support devices with a maximum memory page size of up to 16KB. This is a significant increase from the standard 4KB (2KB increase). This will accommodate smartphones with larger RAM capacity for better memory management and performance.
- Predictive back animation: According to Google, this provides a smoother and more intuitive back navigation experience for users. It has been enabled by default in the new version to encourage developers to support the new feature.
- Private space feature is hereSimilar to Samsung's Secure Folder, the Android 15 Beta 3 version will introduce the 'Private Space' feature, which enables users to lock certain apps behind additional authentication for enhanced security.
Developers are advised to adjust their app logic and update their custom launchers to hide these safe apps from the home screen and app drawer.
Apart from these major features, several bugs have also been fixed. Let us discuss them briefly.
android 15 beta 3 version bug fixes
- Mobile Network Security: Fixed a bug that prevented changes to mobile network security settings.
- Polling issue: The issue where disabling polling using the setDiscoveryTechnology method did not work has been fixed.
- Android Emulator: Fixed a crash in SimplePerf during CPU profiling on the Android Emulator.
- Screen Saver Crash: Fixed a bug that could cause the System Settings app to crash when accessing Screen Saver options.
- System Sharesheet: An issue that prevented the System Sharesheet from loading in some scenarios has also been fixed
- Screen unlock icon: Fixed a bug where the screen unlock icon appeared along with notifications on the screen.
- Bluetooth LE Scan: Fixed the continuation of Bluetooth LE scan after an app crash.
- Bluetooth LE Advertising: A bug in legacy advertising that would fail to return ADVERTISE_FAILED_DATA_TOO_LARGE when the scan response data exceeded 31 bytes has been fixed.
- GATT Server Connection: Addressed connection failures on the GATT server by passing the address type from BluetoothGattServer.connect to native.