Google has announced a series of new safety features for its Android mobile operating system, including an innovative technology that can detect theft of a smartphone by recognizing sharp movements indicating theft. These new functions will be implemented in the final release of Android 15 this autumn, making them accessible to a wide range of smartphone users, even those with older versions of the operating system.
The theft recognition technology works by detecting unusual movements that may indicate theft, instantly locking the screen to prevent unauthorized access to the device. The system also monitors other suspicious activities, such as attempts to turn off the smartphone remotely, and will block the screen to protect the owner’s data.
In addition to theft protection, Google has introduced a convenient way to remove the screen lock if the device is not in the owner’s hands. By visiting android.com/lock and entering their phone number, users can authenticate themselves and unlock their device, even if they don’t have access to the physical smartphone. These features will be available later this year with an update to Google Play services on smartphones running Android 10 and newer.
Android 15 will also introduce additional measures to protect personal data, such as “private spaces” for storing applications and confidential information in a separate, secured area of memory. Google will also enhance protection against phishing and fraud by updating the Google Play Protect system with advanced AI capabilities to detect actual threats without compromising user data.
While the latest version of Android was modestly presented at the Google I/O conference, more information about Android 15’s new features will become available as beta testing proceeds. The update is a welcome development for smartphone users, as many new functions will be accessible to a wider range of Android devices, not just the latest models.