As expected, Google I/O focused nearly the entire keynote on making AI and Gemini announcements, leaving Android 15 news and what is coming with the latest versions unchecked. The company has possibly shifted to a two-day I/O event, with the first day focusing on core updates for the technology it is working on and the second day detailing and releasing new hardware and software.
Google to launch next beta of Android 15 tomorrow with a handful of new features and design changes
Previously, the Android beta was released shortly after the main keynote was delivered and was one of the event's highlights. Now that AI and its allied products and services have taken over, the new betas have taken a back seat and are being moved to the second day. So far, Google has focused on AI capabilities coming to Android 15 later this year, including Gemini Nano.
The Android 15 Developer Preview was initiated earlier in February and has received some minor tweaks since then. The last Android 15 Beta 1.2 build update came in April for all compatible Pixel phones. With Beta 2 coming in a short while, we are expecting the inclusion of major changes alongside the details on the salient features of this year.
Before the beta announcement, some OEMs already confirmed being part of the Developer Preview. The Android partners will get an installable build for their smartphones to test the updates and the app compatibility. Below is the list of Pixel-branded devices that will get beta 2 and Android 15 later this year:
- Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6a
- Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7a
- Google Pixel Tablet
- Google Pixel Fold
- Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8a
The company has not yet revealed what the new beta might include, but we are certain the new versions are geared toward advanced users and app developers. Android 15 stable builds are expected to be released in October for the Pixel lineup, and other smartphone manufacturers are expected to jump on the bandwagon a few months later.
Google seems to be moving back to its multi-day, in-person event format where instead of merely touching the topic of Android 15, they saved the news for the second day. The online session is now expected to go live on Thursday making I/O a three-day affair.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
