Last year only, android users out there got the exciting news that Android 10 update has arrived. With the launch of Android 10, users got the much awaited dark mode and many other important changes to the app permissions. Android 10 was also significant because with it Google decided to part ways with the dessert names that it has been placing on the Android versions for so long.
Android 10 was a major shift for the operating system and that legacy is being carried on by Android 11. Yes, we still are few months from the launch of Android 11 but since the developer review is now out in the market, we can easily gather what Android 11 has in store for us. So, let us have a look at what Android 11 has in the offing:
• Availability of Developer Preview 4
Google sent the Android users into a frenzy on February 19 when it released the first developer preview for Android 11. This developer preview presented the world an early glimpse of Android 11’s biggest features and its new logo. Google launched second developer review just a month later and it contained new features and a lot of bugs were fixed from the previous builds. On April 23, third developer review was launched which also focused on ironing out bugs.
It was assumed that the third developer review would be the last of the series but on May 6 Google unexpectedly launched Developer Preview 4 along with the announcements that they are forced to delay the public beta release up to June.
On the basis of the knowledge available, Android seems to be a modest overall and a subtle improvement on Android 10. With Android Developer review number 2, Google introduced some minor UI changes but that were not that extravagant. Apart from this, we will dive into some of the major changes in the upcoming points.
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• One-time Permissions
Giving the users more control over the applications they want to run was one of the most attractive feature of Android 10 and this trend is going to continue with the launch of Android 11.
Now, whenever you are using an app and it asks for permission to use sensitive features like your location, microphone or camera then you can choose to grant permission for these features on a one-time basis. This permission that you will be providing would be applicable for the time you would be active on the app and as soon as you shut down the app, the permission would be revoked and would have to start from scratch from the next time.
These aspects that the android asks permission for are sensitive aspects and should not be taken lightly in any way or form. It is very impressive to see Google putting the users in the driver’s seat in this area.
• Massive updates on messaging
After the first developer review of Android 11 was released it was quite clear that messaging is one field that will be improved to a large extent. To provide it’s users with an amazing experience in messaging, Google has introduced three core upgrades this year.
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First on our hand, are chat bubbles. You already be familiar with the concept of chat bubbles of you have used Facebook Messenger at some point of time. Chat bubbles hide messages of any ongoing conversation in little bubbles on the side of phone screen. These bubbles can be moved around anywhere on the screen and in case you tap on the bubble then it will open up the ongoing conversation. The Bubbles API is being introduced to all the messaging apps out there and that is what provoked Google in to adding it to Android 11.
A separate message section is the notification shade is also added in Android 11 which will allow you to access your messages as quickly as possible. In short, this feature will help you to place extra priority on the messages of yours.
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On top of all this, users will be able to send images and pictures in any conversation directly from the notification shade.
• Making Android Compatible for 5G
5G started making headlines last year and since 2020 it is getting more and more in touch with audience out there. To make people get in touch with 5G as smoothly as it can, google has introduced an important feature that goes by the name of “Dynamic Meterdness API”.
The name of this feature might not appeal to a large volume of people out there but it allows phones to make full use of all the power that 5G brings with it. If the API in your phone detects that your phone is connected to an unlimited 5G signal then it will allow you to access the highest quality of videos.
The potential is 5G is pretty damn high and the API that Android 11 is bringing along with it will allow your device to unlock that sky reaching potential.
• At last a built-in Screen Recorder
Demand for a built-in screen recorder was quite high from past few releases of Android and this demand has been fulfilled this time around. Users were getting quite frustrated with the fact that such a basic function was not attached to the core of Android functioning.
However, when Developer review number 2 was released people got a glimpse of built-in screen recorder in the functions of Android. It was accompanied with a polished UI and toggles used for the purpose of recording audio and showing touches with recordings.
Early builds of Android 10 also had traces of a screen recorder but it was nothing in comparison to the recorder that Android 11 DP2 displayed. But to be safer side, don’t get your hopes too high as it might be possible that this feature won’t make to the final build. However it seems like this time around Google will finally be presenting a built-in screen recorder to its mass audience.
• Making OS adaptable to different display types
Most noticeable progressing steps that Android has taken in the past few years is in the area of displays. Smartphone companies are offering their customers the best possible smartphone screens and to be on the same page with these offerings, Android needs to catch up fast to offer better support for all these advancements.
With attractive devices such as Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola RAZR getting popular in recent times, it doesn’t take a genius to notice that flip phones are making headlines in the world of mobile phones. In order to detect the hinge of these folding phones, Android added a feature of “hinge angle sensor API” in Android 11 Developer Review 2. With such information made available to them, developers can make the apps work around the hinge and create unique experiences because of such adaptability.
Faster refresh rates is another major upgrade that smartphone displays has seen in the recent times. Screens refreshing at a rate of 90Hz or 120Hz has become a common site and Android 11 with its entry allows the developers to take full advantage of such powerful displays. With the release of Android 11 DP2, developers were given the power to select the refresh rate at which their application would run. Some developers would notice that their app runs best at 60Hz while others would be satisfied at 90Hz and Android 11 would allow these developers to work on their own data.
• Android 11 can be Flashed on your Screen
Android 11 is available in the market in the form developer review and at the present moment of time, it is in its earliest stage. Many of the eager audience out there would be itching to get a taste of Android 11 but for your own benefit we would advise you against it.
Unlike later builds of the OS, downloading of an over-the-air update won’t be possible this time around. Apart from this, you would also have to manually flash Android 11 Developer Preview 4 to get a taste of it on your phone.
And make you understand even better, the main purpose of Android Developer Review is to make the life comfortable for developers. Before the final release of the Android, developers can make their apps work according to the latest version of Android. This concludes that the developer review is not meant for use on your daily driver.
• Few months before the Final Build
It is true that Android 11 technically `is available in the market but it will go through a lot of rounds before it gets available for everyone out there.
Earlier this year it was decided that three developer reviews would be followed by a public beta in May and then the final build would be ready for a Q3 release. But later it was announced that there are some changes in the plan and just after that developer preview 4 was released. Google then announced that public beta would take up to at least June 3 to be released. And if you looking to use Android 11 as soon as arrives, Pixel 4 XL is the source that will make it happen. Pixel 4 XL will get Android 11 before all the Samsung and LG phones around the world.
Conclusion:
As soon as news surfaced in the market that Android 11 is about the hit the market pretty soon, people were dying to get to know what features this latest version of Android will be offering to the audience out there. This article has covered all the bases related to the latest features that Android 11 is about to offer.
