11 New Features of Android 11

After months of waiting, the first build of Android 11 Beta was released a few days ago. Four developer previews were released before this version and clearly these are intended for developers.

However, the launch of the public beta means that Android 11 is stable enough to be installed and used by anyone interested. Similar to previous years, there are a lot of new features the most significant of which are discussed in the following.

1.  New conversation tab in notifications

One of the objectives of Android 11 is to make it easy for users to have access to ongoing conversations. Therefore, we see a change in the notifications.

When you receive a new message on messaging apps, it will be shown in an exclusive section on top of the notification tray. Also, there are useful shortcuts besides it. For example, you can create a shortcut for the conversation on the home screen or turn that conversation to a chat bubble.

As users receive several different notifications every day, this feature could make missing important messages less likely than before.

2.  Chat bubbles

This is another interesting feature of Android 11. When you make a bubble of a chat, a small circle icon will appear on your phone’s UI. Even if you’re in another application, you can still see this icon.

You can enter the chat by tapping this icon and when you’re done, just tap the small circle again and your chat will return to a small bubble. This resembles one of the features of Facebook Messenger that was introduced in 2013.

But now all messaging applications will have this feature. In this regard, developers have to update their apps to use this new API.

3.  A slight change in the Recents

Recents in Android is where you can see all the opened applications. Although the apps are still shown horizontally, the Google Search Widget and the row of recommended apps at the bottom are replaced by three new shortcuts: Screenshot, Select, and Share.

You can take a screenshot of the app that is on top by Screenshot and you can use Share to share it. The Select option can detect the texts on the app screen and you will be able to copy or share that text.

4.  Built-in screen recorder

Many Android phones are equipped with a built-in tool for recording the screen. Nonetheless, this feature is finally added to Android 11 after waiting for it for so long.

To use this feature, you just have to go to Quick Settings by swiping down and tap on Screen Record icon. Moreover, you can activate voice recording and showing your digital touches on the screen on the video.

5. New interface to capture screenshots

This isn’t a very huge change. Nonetheless, you see a new interface when taking a screenshot in Android 11 Beta. Once you take a screenshot, you’ll find it at the bottom left corner of the screen and have access to two options for sharing or editing. Also, you can tap the x icon to dismiss it.

6. New controls for smart gadgets

A new menu shows up when you press and hold the power button. In addition to registering credit cards associated with Google Pay, you can control your smart home gadgets from this menu. Currently, only Google Home supports this feature, but other developers could use this new API.

7.  App suggestions on home screen

Since Android 9, users can access app suggestions on the top of the app drawer. Now these apps are moved to the home screen on Android 11.

After installing Android 11 Beta, you are asked to enable this feature. By doing so, the apps that Google thinks you’re going to use will be shown at the bottom of the home screen. The formation of these apps change according to how you use your phone. Moreover, you can disable this feature by going to Home Settings.

8.  Upgraded media and music controls

In Android 11, you can easily set the audio output from media and music controls. Simply go to Quick Settings and tap the phone icon in media player in order to set your phone’s speaker or other Bluetooth-connected gadgets for audio output.

Also, the design of media control is changed and you can see that it’s shown on top by going to Quick Settings.

9.  One-time permissions

Google has focused on app permissions once more in Android 11. In this new version, you can grant one-time permission for any application that for example wants access to microphone. This means that this permission will work as long as you use the app and it’s revoked as soon as you exit the app.

10.  Auto-reset for permissions

Auto-reset is another interesting feature of Android 11. In summary, if you grant the related permissions for an app but don’t use that app for some time, these permissions are automatically removed. You’ll get a notification when it happens and if you use the app, you’ll be asked to approve these permission once again.

11.  Wireless debugging

This new feature allows users to send ADB commands from a computer to their Android phone wirelessly. Both devices just need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Before this, users had to connect their phone to the computer via a cable. 

Source: Android Central