Related Articles
Google usually releases Developer Preview of their upcoming Android versions sometime in march, but this year Google showed a bit of a hurry and has already released the Developer Preview of the upcoming Android 11. It is the fifth consecutive time that the company is providing a look into their major upcoming Android OS update. The purpose of rolling out a Preview of the upcoming OS for Developers is they can adapt their apps to the upcoming Android release and provide early feedback to help Google improve the final release.
The new version of Android does not have any significant changes to it's UI or UX, rather it has some system level updates such as a better integration of 5G bandwidth, adaptive enhancements for foldable screens, support for SHAKEN/STIR call screen authentication, better low-latency video decoding for streaming game services, better HEIF support, a new version of Google’s neural networks API, and more. Some of the other major updates Android 11 will bring to the users are:
Privacy and Security:
Android 11 improves biometrics and features platform hardening, as well as secure app data storage and sharing. Users should be excited by electronic ID/driver license support.
Better Support for foldable/curved/waterfall displays:
Google is offering an API similar to the notch/cutout API to let the developers specify an interactive area of a screen.
Improved Chat Notifications:
Google is introducing Bubble notifications, that will sit on top of other apps and windows, so users will be able to tap the bubble to continue a chat. Users will also be able to add images in a quick reply in a chat notification.
Screen Recording
Google has been considering adding a built-in screen recorder to Android for quite some time, and Android 11 confirms the feature will launch this year.
Muting Notifications During Video Playback:
Yes we all hate notifications popping out when we are watching or streaming movies or videos, Android 11 will let you mute notifications while you’re watching or recording a video.
Scrolling Screenshots:
Google is finally bringing Scrolling Screenshot support with the upcoming Android 11.
Motion Sense option for Google Pixel 4:
Users have been demanding motion sense gestures in Pixel 4, now in Android 11 they are going to get a bunch of them, such as you can tap in the air above the phone to pause music.
Apart from these above mentioned features, Android 11 is bringing tonnes of others as well but Installing Android 11 right now may not be worth it because there will be a lot of bugs and most of the new features might not be available right now. It is recommended that only Developers test the update by manually flashing a full system image onto their Google Pixel 2, 3, 3A, or 4.
