Android 15: Developer productivity and UX take centre stage

Sep 05, 2024

Google has announced the release of Android 15, making the source code readily available through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).

Supported Pixel devices are set to receive the update in the coming weeks, with a wider rollout to devices from manufacturers like Samsung, Honor, and OnePlus planned for the coming months.

“Android 15 continues our mission of building a private and secure platform that helps improve your productivity while giving you new capabilities to produce beautiful apps, superior media and camera experiences, and an intuitive user experience, particularly on tablets and foldables,” stated Google.

Developer experience takes priority

Android 15 introduces a suite of quality-of-life improvements designed to streamline the development process. These include:

  • ApplicationStartInfo API: Offers developers granular insight into app startup behaviour, including launch phase durations and “start temperature” metrics.
  • Profiling class: Within Android Jetpack, facilitates simplified usage of the new ProfilingManager API for gathering detailed telemetry on app performance on user devices.
  • StorageStats API enhancements: Provides more detailed information on application storage usage, including insights into APK splits and library footprints.
  • Robust PDF handling: Updated PdfRenderer APIs introduce support for password-protected files, annotation management, and form editing, bolstered by the Jetpack PDF library for seamless integration.
  • Modern language features: New OpenJDK and SQLite APIs bring a host of improvements, including support for read-only deferred transactions in SQLite and expanded maths functionality in OpenJDK.
  • Enhanced canvas capabilities: Android 15 empowers developers with new Canvas drawing tools, such as Matrix44 for 3D manipulation and advanced shader controls for complex shape rendering.

Refined typography and internationalisation

Recognising the global reach of Android, the latest iteration features improvements to enhance the user experience across different languages:

  • Streamlined variable font handling: Simplified FontFamily instance creation from variable fonts, automating adjustments to match displayed text.
  • Expanded CJK font support: The NotoSansCJK font, covering Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages, is now a variable font, opening up new avenues for creative typography.
  • Improved text justification: The JUSTIFICATION_MODE_INTER_CHARACTER setting refines justification for languages that utilise white space for segmentation, such as Chinese and Japanese.

App compatibility: A smooth transition

Google has emphasised a commitment to smooth app transitions with Android 15. Most user-facing changes are opt-in, remaining inactive until an app explicitly targets SDK version 35. This approach provides developers with ample time to adapt their applications.

The Android SDK Upgrade Assistant within Android Studio Koala Feature Drop has been updated to provide comprehensive support for the transition to Android 15.

Google has announced a “Spotlight Week” that is dedicated to delving deeper into specific aspects of the Android 15:

Developers are encouraged to begin exploring the new tools and APIs at their disposal and prepare their applications for the next generation of Android.

See also: CMA shelves app store probes to leverage digital market powers

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Tags: android, android 15, coding, development, google, jetpack, kotlin, mobile, programming