Android 14 is now official, however Google is already trying forward of subsequent yr, and which means Android 15. Though it launched a number of new AI-based options, Android 14 turned out to be an incremental replace, and it did not embrace all of the options that Google confirmed off in early beta builds.
Having used the Android 14 beta extensively alongside all the main Android skins — One UI 6, ColorOS 13, and MIUI 14 — here is a brief checklist of what I wish to see in Android 15.
Android 15 wants floating home windows
ColorOS and MIUI rolled out floating home windows three years in the past, and it’s a helpful utility that permits you to maximize display screen actual property. Floating home windows basically enables you to resize any app in order that it matches on the show with out taking over its total width, and it may be overlaid onto one other app, making it fairly handy to make use of. My finest use case is launching the calculator in a floating window every time I would like so as to add up a number of issues, and it really works exceedingly properly on this state of affairs.
If Google is trying so as to add floating home windows to Android 15, it ought to contemplate ColorOS’ implementation and never MIUI. In all its knowledge, Xiaomi thought it finest to have floating home windows enabled as default, with no method to flip off the function. Because of this everytime you pull down on a notification, it opens in a floating window, and I’ve had a number of cases through the years the place I inadvertently launched floating home windows with out which means to.
Google must ship higher icon customization
Google launched themed icons in Android 12 (albeit in beta), and two years after launch, the function continues to be half-baked at finest. The issue is not all the way down to Google, however devs — as this function is not mandated, most app makers nonetheless select to disregard it, and it makes the house display screen look much less cohesive. Even well-known providers like Evernote do not supply the function, and whereas that is extra to do with the state of Evernote, it is annoying to not have all icons make the most of the function.
Whereas Google’s at it, if it will probably roll out the flexibility to alter icon form and measurement, that might be incredible. I am nonetheless irritated at how little customization is offered on a Pixel cellphone on this specific regard, and actually must do higher.
Google ought to steal Display Distance from iOS
Display Distance is a intelligent new function in iOS 17 that makes use of the entrance digital camera to find out in case you’re holding your cellphone too near your eyes. The objective right here is to scale back eye pressure, and if the digital camera detects that you just’re utilizing your system nearer than 12 inches out of your face, it triggers a full-screen alert asking you to maneuver your cellphone or pill additional away.
This function proved to be fairly helpful on the iPhone 15 Professional Max, and I discovered that I had a bent to carry the cellphone somewhat nearer at night time. Display Distance is designed to scale back danger of myopia in youngsters, however in case you have a tendency to make use of your cellphone in mattress rather a lot, it may be fairly a helpful instrument. Google must carry an identical utility to Android, and on condition that it makes use of the digital camera to gauge distance, it should not be onerous to implement.
At all times On Show must be higher
Google’s tackle an At all times On Show has at all times been lackluster, and Android 14 would not do a lot to alter that. You solely get the choice to point out time and date when selecting an always-on display screen, and when you get notification icons on the backside, there is no customization doable.
Different interfaces, in the meantime, supply in depth customizability on this space. I just like the vary of kinds out there in ColorOS and the truth that I can design my very own sample that exhibits up on the lock display screen, and whereas One UI would not supply a lot out of the field, you’ll be able to at all times set up Good Lock and unlock a slate of customization choices.
Give us app cloning already
Most Android manufacturers provide the choice to clone an app so you’ll be able to run two cases of it. That is helpful in case you’ve obtained two SIM playing cards and wish to totally make the most of messaging providers like WhatsApp or Telegram, however you do not have the flexibility to take action on a Pixel cellphone. Because it often does, Google teased this function in earlier Android 14 beta builds, nevertheless it was nowhere to be present in subsequent betas, and is lacking on the steady model.
Android 15 might be right here earlier than you understand it
Google tends to roll out preview builds of Android months forward of public launch, and that is performed to ensure devs have loads of time to get used to the most recent options. If historical past is any indication, the Android 15 dev preview must be out there someday in February 2024, adopted by public betas two months later. I am going to have far more to speak about Android 15 as quickly because it turns into out there, however for now, let me know if there are any options you’d wish to see within the subsequent iteration of Android.