Android 11: everything you need to know!

Last year, the Android 10 update was a big change for the operating system. Not only did we get the long-awaited dark mode and important changes to app permissions, Android 10 also marked the removal of Google from dessert names and the opening of a new logo/brand on Android.

Android 10 is a year of growth and maturity for the operating system and the same principles are passed on to Android 11. We're still only a few months away from a final build available to everyone, but with developer visualization now in the wild, we have a good idea of where Google wants to take Android in 2020.

Are you ready to learn all about what Android 11 packs? Here's everything you need to know!

After four developer previews, Google launches the Android 11 beta on June 10 for those who have a pixel to download and test it for themselves. Then, on July 8, the second beta version was released.

The public beta isn't much different from what we've seen in previous developer gatherings, with the biggest differences, added stability, and the fact that many broken features already actually work — some examples are chat bubbles for text conversations, and a new user interface for food menus that displays Smart home management shortcuts.

Anyone with pixel 2, pixel 3, pixel 3A, and Pixel 4 can sign up for the Android beta program right now to get the Android 11 beta version on your device. If you decide to do this, be sure to check out our review of all the new features that are worth talking about.

Reading Google's Press release about the Android 11 beta, it's obvious that this update does a lot to improve messaging in Android. In fact, there are three main updates that should make a big difference to your daily use.

First, we have chat bubbles in the list. Just like what Facebook has been offering for years with the messenger app on Android, chat bubbles in Android 11 will hide your current conversations in small bubbles on the side of the screen. You can move the bubbles around and tapping on them will open that particular conversation. API bubbles becomes available for all messaging apps, and Google encourages developers to adopt it.

In another attempt to make sure you can access your reports as quickly as possible, Android 11 introduces a special section for calls in your notification shade that will provide instant access to all the current calls you have. In theory, this should help you distinguish your messages from other notifications.

Speaking of messages and notifications, Android 11 lets you send images when responding to a message directly from the notification shadow.
One-time ultra-powerful resolutions in Android 11

Looking back on Android 10, one of its highlights was the improved handling of app permissions. Android 10 gives users more control over apps and what they have access to, and Android 11 supports this train with a great new addition.

Now, when an app requests permission to use important features such as your location, microphone, or camera, you can only give it access once. The app will be able to use this permission when using this copy of the app, but as soon as you leave it, this permission will be removed. The next time you use the app and it wants to use this permission, it must grant access again.

Providing apps for these aspects of your phone shouldn't be taken lightly,so we're happy to see that Google gives users more control over their data.
Yes, Android 11 finally includes a built-in screen recorder
Over the Past few Android releases, we've been waiting patiently for it to add a built-in screen recorder. It's not something you'll use every day (if you've ever been to some people), but the fact is that this basic feature isn't fried in Android by its nature, it gets annoying.

Fortunately, one of the Top 11 looks, to finally change that. Developer preview 2 added a recorder on the screen accompanied by a polished user interface and switches for recording audio and displaying strokes with recording.

Early versions of Android 10 also had traces of a screen recorder, but nowhere was it as complete as what we have now - it shows that it is here to stay for a long time.
Android 11 works with all types of displays

If there was any noticeable progress in the Android space, it would be displays. Companies are doing their best to offer the best and most immersive screen for smartphones, and as great as it is, Android should catch up with the best support for all these advances.

Folding phones have proved quite popular back in 2020., and especially with devices such as Galaxy g flip and Motorola RAZR, which are a folding design "flip phone", Android 11 developer preview 2 adds "API to the loop angle sensor", so that apps can easily detect the hinge of these folding phones. Thanks to this information, developers can adapt their apps to work around the hinge and create unique experiences because of it (for example, how Google Duo changes its user interface when you do a half-time G-flip).

The other big update to smartphone displays that we've seen is related to a faster refresh rate. This is no longer uncommon for phones that come with screens that update at 90 Hz or 120 Hz, and Android 11 allows developers to make better use of these powerful displays. Presented in Android 11 DP2, developers can choose what refresh rate their app should run at. If a developer determines that their app looks best at 90 Hz or 60 Hz, they can make this decision and force the phone's display to change the refresh rate when using this app.
5 g finally started to focus on people in the past year and in 2020.more and more people will connect to the next generation of wireless data. To help this process, it will be as smooth as it can be, Android 11 adds a very important " dynamic metro API."

This may not seem very exciting on paper, but it essentially allows phones to take full advantage of the power that 5g carries.

If the API detects that you are connected to an unlimited 5g signal, you will get access to the highest possible video and graphics quality. The 5g potential is pretty awesome, and this API ensures that you get the most out of the speed you have.
You can get Android 11 on your phone right now
Since July 8, Android 11 beta 2 is the newest software that is available. As long as you have a pixel phone, you can download and start using it right now.

How can this be done? Just go to the Android beta testing program website, register your pixel in the program, and you will soon get an essential update to install the Android 11 beta on your phone. If you already had beta 1 on your phone, you needed to get an over-the-air update to upgrade to beta 2.

Google believes that this build of Android 11 is stable enough for everyday use, but as with any beta version, you should expect some bugs and setbacks along the way.

Android 11 may technically be available right now, but we have ways to go before it's ready for everyone.

Earlier this year, the timeline of Android 11 looked something like this — there will be three preliminary reviews for developers, the public beta version will start in may, and after the final build will be ready for release in the third quarter. On may 6, it was announced that the situation had changed slightly. On the same day, it released a fourth preview for developers, and also delayed the public beta until early June.

We expect Another Android 11 beta after beta 2 and is expected to drop at the beginning of the third quarter. Even with this slight delay, Google still plans to release the final release sometime in the same quarter.
If you want to Tinker with Android 11 in its pre-release form, or just make sure you get an update as soon as it's released later this year, the pixel 4 XL is the phone for you. It's true that battery life isn't surprising, but if you can handle the longevity of the day, there are a lot of things you like here.

Pixel 4 XL will not only get Android 11 earlier than Samsung and LG phones in the world, but will have really impressive hardware. The Snapdragon 855 processor is a beast, the 90 Hz AMOLED display is pleasant to view, and the dual rear cameras capture absolutely stunning photos.

The pixel 4 XL is not a cheap phone, but it is very often sold at a significantly lower retail price, which makes it much easier to work with an old wallet.