Android 15
No More OTP Worries! Android 15 Puts a Wall Around Your Sensitive Notifications
Privacy and security are the primary things that every Android user asks for. And fortunately, Android 15 will bring dedicated features for enhancing the user’s security experience.
Usually, to add an extra layer of security, users should use a passcode or enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Whereas some forms of 2FA are more secure as compared to others, Now the reports are saying that Android 15 might be adding a new feature that prevents OTPs from being read by malicious Android applications.
As per the reports digging through the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 update, the addition of a new permission named RECEIVE_SENSITIVE_NOTIFICATIONS. This permission has a high protection level of role signature, which means that it can only be granted to applications along with the essential requirement role or to applications that the OEM signs.
However, the brand has not officially mentioned the exact role that grants the permission, and it is expected that Google doesn’t intend to open this permission up to third-party applications. The report says that this is an API that permits the application to read or take action on all notifications. Users need to manually grant application permission in Settings even before the NotificationListenerService API becomes available.
The reporters mentioned that they don’t know exactly what an “untrusted” app refers to, but it may be any application that does not hold the new RECEIVE_SENSITIVE_NOTIFICATIONS permission. It is expected that this permission would apply to select system apps. It is also not clear yet what kind of notification stands “sensitive” as per the prospect of Google, but there’s a reason to believe they are referring to notifications with 2FA codes.
As per the reports, while digging through the source code for Android 14, a new flag named OTP_REDACTION came to be known, which is used to gate “redaction of OTP notifications on the lock screen.” Also, Android will have three ways to protect users from leaking their 2FA codes to third parties. The OTP_REDACTION flag suggests that Android will stop users from leaking their 2FA codes on the lock screen, whereas the RECEIVE_SENSITIVE_NOTIFICATIONS permission suggests that Android will stop untrusted applications from reading notifications along with 2FA codes.
Google’s I/O developer conference focuses on updates to its Android ecosystem to bring new experiences and a strong layer of security, battery life optimizations on watches, and entertainment to TVs, cars, and more.
Android 15 Update Have New Features
Now Google is introducing Android 15 Beta 2 and offering more ways to improve the OS version to help you stay protected. Let’s take a closer look at the forthcoming updates coming to the Android ecosystem.
- Let’s create a private app space.
Android 15 introduces a new and convenient feature called “Private Space” that helps secure dedicated space on your device to store private apps from unauthorized access. It just asks for extra authentication and keeps everything hidden from the main view; for instance, a digital safe. You can also set up a dedicated lock for private space and hide its existence altogether.
- Theft Detection Lock:
By the end of this year, a new theft detection lock is expected to arrive, which will help keep personal and financial data safe to avoid the risk of fraud or loss in the event that your phone is ever snatched from you. This feature will use Google AI to sense if someone snatches your phone from your hand and tries to run, bike, or drive away with it, and once a theft motion is detected, it will instantly be locked down to keep personal details out of the wrong hands.
- More real-time protection over fraudulent apps
Google Play Protect will help you analyze app behavior and identify potential phishing or scams by using on-device AI. This real-time protection will add-on security as it will not touch any of your private details; however, it will flag suspicious applications and take action, such as warnings or disabling the application if required.
- Message with RCS in Japan:
RCB enabled in Google’s messaging app benefits from a more upgraded and secure messaging experience. Along with high-resolution photo and video sharing, improved group chats, end-to-end encryption, and more, Google is working with KDDI and other partners to bring an updated messaging experience to Japan with RCS in Google Messages.
- Let’s add items to Google Wallet from the image:
In the upcoming updates, you will have the power to add digital versions of any pass, even those without a barcode, by simply taking a picture. This counts things such as event tickets, library cards, and gym memberships. Google Wallet is expanding its reach in the US.
- Explore AR content in Google Maps
Google will soon let you access augmented reality (AR) content directly in Google Maps on your device, helping you learn more about a location in new and alluring ways. This feature is being tested for now in Singapore and Paris, but it paves the way for a major extended reality (XR) platform for all Android phones, built with Samsung and Qualcomm.
- More apps in the car:
Soon you can access streaming services like Max and Peacock, play games, and use a wider range of apps in a few particular cars with Google built-in. Google Cast is arriving in cars with the Android Automotive OS.
- Find new content with AI on Google TV
This will help you find things to watch more easily than ever; it will create personalized summaries for movies and shows based on your choice.
- Improve training with Wear OS5 updates
Wear OS 5, expected to arrive later this year, boasts at least up to 20% more battery life. Fitness applications will support further data points, for instance, ground contact time, helping you improve your performance.
- Connect your device. ecosystem –
The upcoming update will enhance features and functionality, such as fast pairing, tracking battery life, locating lost devices with the new Find My Device, and finding things like keys or stuff with Bluetooth tracker tags from Chipolo and Pebblebee.
Google has moved one more step forward toward Android 15 development with the second version of Android 15 in a beta channel. With the latest beta update, the company has introduced several new features that will be included in the stable update. Let’s explore all the latest innovations.
Android 15 Beta 2 features
Google introduced Android 15 beta 1 last week. With the first beta update, the company has introduced several features and changes to the existing functionality, but after realizing that there were several issues addressed by users, the company brought two minor updates in the form of beta 1.1 and beta 1.2.
Moving forward, the company has started rolling out a second major beta update for Android 15, which will provide several new features. According to the official changelog, the update has improved the AV1 software devoting, modernized Android‘s GPU access, and brought a new private space for more privacy.
For more privacy, it has brought new secure background activity launches; it has brought new customization for vibration effects for notification channels; and many more. If you want to get more details about the changelog, then you can check the official site.
Fixes bugs and issues
Along with the new feature introduction, the company has also fixed issues reported by developers and some user-level issues related to some issues, like Google Play services not working, a fixed issue where Unicode 15.1 is not working, the viewfinder for the QR scanner is not working, and some Bluetooth-related functions are also fixed.
Android 15 beta 2 is available for all eligible Pixel devices with the firmware version number AP31.240426.022. If you are also using any Pixel device that is eligible to get Android 15, then to try the latest update, you have to enroll your device in the Android beta program by following these simple steps.
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Android 15-based One UI 7.0 is the next major iteration for Samsung Galaxy devices. Receiving a new Android-based One UI update means a kind of new birth for the Galaxy phone, but it’s hard to relate when your device stands in line to receive the last major OS update.
Downheartedly, here we are mentioning a Samsung Galaxy device list that will be eligible to receive the Android 15-based One UI 7.0 update, but unfortunately as the last one.
Samsung drops the software support for Galaxy devices when they have already reached the peak of dedicated major OS updates. Before you go through the list, let us confirm that this is an unofficial list that we have prepared by keeping in mind the software update policy for each Samsung Galaxy device, as per which the mentioned device may receive Android 15 as their final major OS update.
These Samsung Galaxy devices will receive Android 15 as their final OS update
Galaxy Z Series (foldable)
- Galaxy Z Flip 3
- Galaxy Z Fold 3
Galaxy S Series (flagship)
- Galaxy S21
- Galaxy S21+
- Galaxy S21 Ultra
Galaxy A Series (mid-range)
- Galaxy A14
- Galaxy A14 5G
- Galaxy A05
- Galaxy A05s
Galaxy M Series (affordable mid-range)
- Galaxy M14 4G
- Galaxy M14 5G
Galaxy F Series
- Galaxy F14 5G
Samsung has already started the Android 15-based One UI 7.0 beta’s internal testing for its current high-end Galaxy S24 smartphones, as we already reported about the spotting, and it is expected that Samsung could introduce One UI 7.0 sometime between late October and September 2024.
Android 15 is running in the developing beta phase, and it appears that the stable version could bring a bundle of convenient facilities; for instance, a full-screen application, taking notes directly from the lock screen, default wallet app settings, more Wi-Fi security options, cellular network security, and many more. Since Google is working on these features for Android devices, the Galaxy device can arrive by default; however, Samsung has the right to represent these features with its One UI 7.0 skin, and it is also possible that it may hold a few features and give them with the next One UI 7.1 update.
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