Android 15 Launches with AI-Powered Security Features and Enhanced Privacy Controls

Android 15 is Here! Top New Features You Need to Know

Android 15 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of mobile security, introducing a range of advanced features designed to protect users' sensitive information. With the increasing prevalence of digital threats, such as data breaches and identity theft, the need for robust security measures has never been more critical. Android 15 addresses these concerns head-on, offering a comprehensive suite of tools that empower users to safeguard their devices and personal data. One of the most notable additions to Android 15's security arsenal is the Theft Detection Lock. This innovative feature leverages the power of artificial intelligence to detect suspicious activity, such as unauthorized access attempts or sudden device movements indicative of theft. When triggered, the Theft Detection Lock automatically secures the device, preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive information or resetting the device to factory settings. This proactive approach to device security provides an extra layer of protection, ensuring that users' data remains safe even in the event of physical device theft. In addition to the Theft Detection Lock, Android 15 introduces the Remote Lock feature, which grants users the ability to secure their devices from any location. By using their phone number and completing a simple security check, users can remotely lock their devices, rendering them inaccessible to unauthorized individuals. This feature proves invaluable in situations where a device is lost or stolen, allowing users to take immediate action to protect their data from afar. The Remote Lock feature exemplifies Android 15's commitment to empowering users with greater control over their device security. By providing a seamless and intuitive method for remote device management, Android 15 ensures that users can respond swiftly to potential security threats, minimizing the risk of data compromise. Android 15 introduces the innovative Private Space feature, a secure digital environment designed to safeguard sensitive applications. With Private Space, users can create a separate, hidden area within their device to store and organize apps that contain personal or confidential information, such as social media, dating, or banking apps. The Private Space operates independently from the main app list, recent apps view, notifications, and device settings, ensuring that sensitive apps remain concealed from prying eyes. Accessing the Private Space requires additional authentication, such as a unique password or biometric verification, providing an extra layer of security for the user's most sensitive applications. By segregating sensitive apps from the main device environment, Android 15's Private Space feature offers users peace of mind, knowing that their personal information is shielded from unauthorized access. This feature is particularly valuable for individuals who frequently share their devices with others or those concerned about the potential consequences of a security breach. Android 15's security enhancements extend beyond the initial release, with Google committing to delivering continuous updates to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities. These updates are seamlessly integrated into the operating system, ensuring that users' devices remain protected against the latest security risks without requiring manual intervention. By prioritizing ongoing security updates, Android 15 demonstrates a proactive approach to user protection. As digital threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, regular updates are essential to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of users' data. Android 15's commitment to continuous security improvements sets a new standard for mobile device protection, providing users with the assurance that their devices are equipped to handle the ever-changing landscape of digital threats. Android 15 represents a significant leap forward in mobile security, offering a comprehensive suite of features designed to protect users' sensitive information and empower them with greater control over their device security. From the intelligent Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock capabilities to the secure Private Space for sensitive apps, Android 15 sets a new benchmark for user protection. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the importance of robust mobile security cannot be overstated. Android 15's focus on continuous security updates ensures that users' devices remain protected against emerging threats, providing peace of mind in an increasingly connected world. With its innovative security features and commitment to user empowerment, Android 15 is poised to transform the way we approach mobile security. As more users embrace this groundbreaking update, we can look forward to a future where our devices are not only more secure but also more intuitive and user-friendly. Android 15 marks an exciting new chapter in the evolution of mobile technology, setting the stage for a safer and more productive digital experience.

Android 15 new features: See the full list.

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 doesn't seem that major as big new OS updates go, but there are still a handful of useful-sounding additions here. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Android 15 is out now - here are 5 new features it brings to Google Pixel phones

At long last, Android 15 is officially rolling out to compatible Google Pixel phones (i.e. the Google Pixel 6 and newer), meaning many of the features already teased in various Android 15 betas are now available in their finished form. Strictly speaking, Android 15 launched through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) on September 3, but this is the first time that the update has been made available to actual Android users (in this case, Google Pixel users), rather than just developers and manufacturers. Pixel devices are first in line, with Samsung phones and other Android devices set to benefit from Android 15 "in the coming months." Even more confusingly, the full release of Android 15 coincides with the rollout of a separate Google Pixel feature drop, which includes some Android 15-specific upgrades, as well as a handful of more general Pixel improvements. In any case, below, we've rounded up five of the best Android 15 features, all of which will make their way to non-Pixel Android phones soon. If you're keen to keep certain pieces of mobile content away from prying eyes, Android 15 introduces Private Space: a new password-protected area for storing your sensitive files, apps, and even notifications. In essence, the feature is similar to Samsung's Secure Folder, though the latter can only store files, whereas Private Space can double as Fort Knox for many different types of content. Incidentally, Private Space arrives on Pixel phones as part of Google's aforementioned latest Pixel drop, though the feature is technically an Android 15 tool, meaning it'll be coming to other Android phones soon. We've been hearing about Google's Theft Detection Lock feature since May, and it actually debuted in Brazil some time ago, but it's now rolling out to Android users across the globe as part of Android 15. Essentially, Theft Detection Lock uses AI to detect if your phone has been stolen and automatically locks it if it believes that's the case. Google says Theft Detection Lock will look out for "common motion associated with theft" (presumably things like a quick movement out of one hand into another) and "proactively protect your data on the device." Neat! An updated version of Predictive Back - which lets you preview the result of a gesture navigation action before committing to the action itself - debuted in the second Android 15 beta, and it's now rolling out to Pixel devices properly. The 'update' here is that Predictive Back is now readily available to all users; in Android 14, it was an optional developer feature. Now, gesture previews will occur by default (in compatible apps) when actions including back-to-home, cross-task, and cross-activity are triggered. Still confused? Check out the images above for a visual illustration. This one applies to large-screen devices like tablets and foldables exclusively, but Android 15 brings Pixel 9 Pro Fold-level multitasking capabilities to other compatible Android handsets. Specifically, you can now save pairs of apps to your home screen or taskbar in a single icon that, when tapped, opens both apps simultaneously in split-screen. This should make multitasking that little bit easier - if, for instance, you use your tablet for work, you can now bring up Slack and Google Sheets at the same time, or perhaps Google Drive and Gmail. It's a small change, but a welcome one. Furthermore, you can also now pin the taskbar to the bottom of your screen when apps are in use, eliminating the need to swipe up and hold for taskbar access away from the home screen (the taskbar will, of course, still disappear when you're viewing media content). Android 15 adds the ability to partially screen record content. In essence, when tapping the native screen recorder tool, you'll be given the option to limit your recording to certain apps, regardless of whether you navigate away from those apps. This should come in particularly handy for creators who film tutorial content but want to avoid having their private information (like email and Wi-Fi details visible in Settings) captured and erroneously shared as part of a screen recording.

Google's Android 15 uses AI to lock your phone when someone grabs it

On Tuesday, Google launched Android 15, making it available on Pixel devices (more precisely, Pixel 6 and newer). Some of the biggest new features are focused on privacy and security. Theft Detection Lock, for example, is an interesting feature that uses AI smarts to detect when someone has snatched your phone and is running (biking, driving) away with it. In such cases, the phone will automatically lock itself, keeping you safe from potential data theft. Remote Lock is another security feature, allowing you to remotely lock your phone from any other phone by using your phone number and passing a security check. Another new feature is called private space (for some reason, Google is capitalizing some, but not all of these features). It lets you lock certain apps into a special, "virtually" invisible folder, that's hidden from your apps list, recent apps view, notifications, and settings. To access these apps, you'll have to authenticate with a fingerprint scan, for example. Additionally, you can completely hide the existence of the private space on your phone, which should be handy if someone is coercing you to hand over whatever is contained within. Other new improvements include logging in with a single tap when you use Passkeys, app pairing on foldables and tablets, allowing you to quickly launch two apps at the same time, as well as the ability to quickly pin and unpin your taskbar on the screen. While Android 15 is rolling out to Pixels first, it will probably take some time until it starts showing up on other Android phones. The good news is that some of these features, including Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock, will be coming to devices running older versions of Android (version 10 and newer).

Google Rolls Out Android 15 With Theft Detection Lock, Privacy Features For 'Sensitive' Apps And More - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Alphabet Inc. GOOGLGOOG subsidiary Google has officially begun rolling out Android 15, the latest version of its mobile operating system, to Pixel devices today. What Happened: The update introduces a range of new security, privacy, and productivity features, with a strong focus on user protection, particularly against theft and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The new release is also designed to enhance the user experience on large-screen devices like foldables and tablets. Top Android 15 Features Theft Protection and Recovery One of the standout features of Android 15 is the Theft Detection Lock, which uses artificial intelligence technology to automatically lock a device if it senses suspicious movement, such as someone running or driving away with it. This feature is designed to thwart thieves before they can access personal data. Users can also remotely lock their devices from any other device using their phone number and a security check. Further security enhancements include protections against thieves tampering with important settings. Android 15 adds authentication requirements for actions like removing a SIM card or turning off Find My Device, preventing thieves from easily resetting and selling stolen devices. Multiple failed attempts to access apps or settings will now trigger a lockdown of the device. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. Private Space for Sensitive Apps In an effort to bolster user privacy, Android 15 introduces a Private Space feature that functions as a secure digital safe. Users can create this space to hide sensitive apps -- such as those for banking, social media, or dating -- ensuring they remain invisible to others. Apps in this private space are excluded from the app list, recent apps view, notifications, and settings, and can only be accessed with an additional layer of authentication. Users can even hide the existence of the private space from the main interface of the device for extra security. Enhanced Multitasking on Foldables and Tablets Google is also improving the Android experience on foldable devices and tablets. Android 15 offers the ability to pin and unpin the taskbar on-screen, allowing users to quickly access their favorite apps like Google Photos or Gmail. The update introduces App Pairing, a new multitasking feature that enables users to open two apps simultaneously, such as Gmail and Google Drive, and drag-and-drop files between them. App combinations can be saved as a single icon, making it easier to launch them in split-screen mode. See Also: YouTube Rolls Out New Features Including Sleep Timer, Collaborative Playlists, And Enhanced Miniplayer For Better User Experience Camera, Messaging, and Passkey Updates Android 15 introduces several updates to the camera, messaging, and authentication systems: The Low Light Boost improves image quality in poor lighting conditions, while third-party apps gain more control over features like the flashlight. Carrier messaging apps now support satellite connectivity, allowing users to send and receive messages even without a mobile or Wi-Fi connection. Apps using Passkeys for login will benefit from a more seamless authentication process, allowing users to log in with a single tap. Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform said, "Your Android devices are always getting better thanks to new features and updates rolling out all the time -- not just once a year." Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. Read Next: Apple Mini Gets An AI Upgrade 3 Years After Last Facelift -- Price Starts At $499 Image Via Shutterstock Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo courtesy: Google Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Google Announces Android 15 Rollout for Pixel Phones

Foldable smartphone users will be able to pin the taskbar on home screen Android 15 rollout has commenced for Pixel devices, Google announced on Tuesday. The latest operating system (OS) was globally released on September 3. Google has detailed the features of the update on Pixel devices, including security measures like Theft Detection Lock and privacy-centric additions such as Private Space. Furthermore, Android 15 also includes exclusive functionality for foldable smartphones and devices along with improvements for the camera and authentication. In a blog post, Google highlighted the features arriving on Pixel smartphones with the Android 15 update, including a feature dubbed Theft Detection Lock. It leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to sense if the device has been snatched or stolen and lock it automatically. Alternatively, users can take advantage of the existing Remote Lock functionality to manually lock the handset using the mobile number. The Mountain View-based tech giant is also making it more difficult for malicious actors to access the device settings, courtesy of added authentication requirements for actions like removing SIM or turning off Find My Device. If multiple failed attempts are detected, the device will automatically be locked. Google also emphasised on privacy with the already-previewed Private Space feature -- private space for users to store their private information. Users will be able to add another layer of authentication to this space or choose to hide it entirely from the view. For foldable devices like the new Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Android 15 will allow users to pin or unpin the taskbar on the screen for easy access. They can customise the layout of the page and keep frequently used apps within quick reach. The update's App Pairing feature is claimed to make multitasking easier by enabling sharing of files using drag and drop. Users can also save their most frequently used app combinations and they will appear as a single app icon on the home screen. Android 15 also includes other changes on Pixel devices such as improved controls in the camera app during low-light conditions, more precise control in third-party camera apps, single-tap login in apps using Passkeys for authentication, and the ability to use satellite communication in third-party apps without Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Several Pixel smartphones, ranging from the latest Pixel 9 series to the Pixel 6 series, are expected to get the upgrade to Android 15. Google says the following Pixel smartphones are eligible to receive the over-the-air (OTA) update: