Google has released the third beta of Android 15, achieving platform stability and finalizing APIs and significant biometric upgrades including a streamlined passkey user interface and enhanced automatic detection of poorly performing biometric models.
Google’s Android Beta Program allows developers and tech enthusiasts to test pre-release versions of the Android operating system. Participants can access the latest features and updates before the official release, providing valuable feedback to help refine the platform. The program ensures that apps are compatible with upcoming Android versions and enables users to experience new functionalities, such as enhanced biometric authentication and improved user interfaces, contributing to a more polished and secure final release.
A major update in this beta focuses on the passkey user interface, which means that users can now complete biometric authentication in a single step, combining the Google Password Manager prompt with the biometric input screen. This streamlines the process, making it more user-friendly. Helping the UX further, new fallback options are accessible through keyboard and text field drop-down menus, providing alternatives if users accidentally bypass the passkey prompt.
Android 15 also introduces an automatic system to detect and address poorly performing biometric models. If a biometric model is not working well, the system can delete it and prompt users to reenroll their biometric data. This feature ensures better performance and reliability, enhancing the overall security and user experience.
Earlier this year Google announced that it had enhanced biometric authentication security on Android by introducing a new feature that displays a small icon of the app requesting authentication, such as a fingerprint or face scan. That safeguard is designed to help users identify legitimate apps and protect against potential malware that might fraudulently prompt for authentication to gain unauthorized access.
Source: The Verge, Android Developer’s Blog
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June 19, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith
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