The next version of the Google operating system will not be released, in its definitive form, before October 2024. With the preview version for developers, however, we can already paint a rather precise picture of what will be the main ones novelty Of Android 15.
Different device manufacturers, with Apple in the lead, they are taking steps to enable the possibility of sending text messages via satellite, even in the absence of WiFi connections nearby and in absence from the mobile network coverage. Starlink Direct To Cell, for its part, has a truly ambitious program: it starts with satellite support for messaging and then move on to Web browsing and the offering of other more advanced services, which require a bandwidth greater. The good thing is that no special devices are needed: smartphones LTE compatiblefor example, they can already communicate with Starlink satellites in the LEO (low Earth orbit) band.
Support for satellite messaging debuts with Android 15
We have been working on support for the for about a year now Android satellite messaging. The new major release of the operating system includes “ad hoc” notifications and special indicators in the status bar to inform users when their terminal is connected to a satellite.
L’API “NonTerrestrialNetwork” will allow Android apps to know in real time when data exchange is limited by the satellite connectivity. In this way it is obviously possible to optimize its operation, reducing the data volume exchanged.
Google says Android 15 will allow third-party SMS and MMS applications to access satellite connectivity APIs, but satellite messaging with RCS support will be limited to “pre-loaded” applications only. It seems really unusual that Google doesn’t offer Public APIs for third-party RCS apps, but with the publication of the preview of Android 15 it turns out that it will continue to block the use of RCS even by apps downloaded through the Play Store.
In recent weeks we have already reported how Google has strengthened the blocking of RCS messages on rooted devices.