Google Rolls Out Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1; Reportedly Gets Customisable Do Not Disturb Feature, More

Android's QPRs reveal bigger changes coming in the next Pixel Drop.

Written by Sheldon Pinto, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 14 November 2024 18:18 IST

Google Rolls Out Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1; Reportedly Gets Customisable Do Not Disturb Feature, More

Google released the stable Android 15 update for its Pixel devices last month

Highlights

The next Pixel Drop release is scheduled for March 2025
All Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 onwards are eligible for this update
Icon Shape Customisation has been added but is not active

After rolling out the stable release of Android 15 for Pixel devices in October 2024, Google has now rolled out its Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 update. As per a report, the update hints at some of the bigger changes that will arrive in the next Pixel Drop software update. Google rolled out the update on November 12 and it is available for older, recent and new Pixel devices, including the foldables. As always the beta software update is only available to those who have opted for Google's Beta software program.

Google detailed the Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 update on its official Android Developer page. While we weren't to test out the new beta update, the folks over at Android Authority say that there is a new customisable Do Not Disturb mode in the latest update. The feature will allow users to set rules for the mode as per their specific requirements as the currently available presets do not. There is a new menu for Modes that lets users create a custom mode complete with a custom name and icon, as per the report. Once created, the user will supposedly no be able to set a schedule for this mode.

Another feature spotted by the same source suggests the presence of the Icon Shape Customisation feature. The much-loved Android feature was made available with the launch of Android 11 but was pulled out from Android 12 and has gone missing since. It now appears that Google might be reviving the feature in time for the upcoming Pixel Drop.

Android 15 Brings Support for True Adaptive Refresh Rate

While the feature is officially mentioned in the changelog, it is not visible under the new Wallpaper and Style customisation section in Settings. However, the source points to a tipster who discovered and used the same in the "in-development" version of the Pixel wallpaper app hinting that it could arrive sooner than later. The updated app now reportedly shows an app shape and layout tabs letting users change the shape of the icon to various presets.

Other features available in the same include the Linux Terminal app (lets developers run Linux apps in a virtual machine), a better-organised touchpad and mouse settings (lets users customise the colour of the pointer) and the ability to control the mouse cursor using the number pad on a physical keyboard.

Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 also brings the much-awaited kernel version update. It upgrades all Pixel devices with older Tensor processors (Tensor G1, G2 and G3) to Linux 6.1. Google's latest smartphones including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold already run Linux 6.1.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Slim and premium IPX8-rated design
Bloatware-free software
7 years of software and security updates
Tons of AI features to fiddle with
Secure face unlock

Bad
A bit heavy even for a foldable
UI stutters randomly
Average cameras
Only 256GB storage variant

Read detailed Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review

Display (Primary) 8.00-inch

Processor Google Tensor G4

Front Camera 10-megapixel + 10-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 10.5-megapixel + 10.8-megapixel

RAM 16GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 4650mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 2152x2076 pixels

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Premium design
Bright display
Impressive AI features
Quality rear cameras
Long-term software commitment
Video Boost works brilliantly

Bad
Portrait mode needs work
Average battery life
45W charger not available in India

Read detailed Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review

Display 6.80-inch

Front Camera 42-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 16GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB

Battery Capacity 5060mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1344x2992 pixels

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Google Pixel 9 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.30-inch

Front Camera 42-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 16GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 4700mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1280x2856 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

Google Pixel 9

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Flagship build and design
Excellent display
Great cameras
Good battery life
AI features are fun

Bad
Processor is still not great
Heats up
No longer compact

Read detailed Google Pixel 9 review

Display 6.30-inch

Front Camera 10.5-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 4700mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1080x2424 pixels

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Further reading: Google, Pixel Drop, Android 15, Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 Features, Icon Shape Customisation

Sheldon Pinto

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Sheldon Pinto is based in Mumbai, and has several years of experience in reviewing smartphones and gadgets. As a Senior Reviewer at Gadgets 360, you will always find him deeply immersed in his reviews, switching from one phone to another. When the battery dies out, Sheldon is always browsing the web for a good sci-fi movie or reading up on cars and bikes. He also loves creating lists of interesting places to eat and travel. Sheldon is available on Twitter at @shellshocd, and you can mail him at ...More