Google today announced the launch of Android 11, the latest version of its mobile operating system. After a slightly longer public preview, the update will be made available to users who own a selected number of Pixel devices (starting with Pixel 2), OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO or Realme phones on their phones in the coming days, while others are starting their updates over the next few months.
Android 11 isn’t a radical departure from what you’ve expected in recent years, but there are a number of interesting new updates for users who mainly focus on messaging, privacy, and better control over all of your smart devices.
The focus of the improved messaging and communication features are improved notifications for conversations from your messaging apps. These are now in a special area at the top of the notification shadow and have a “people-forward design”, as the company describes it. The new Bubbles API Now chat bubbles are a central part of the Android messaging experience too.
Another feature that Google lists in the communications section is screen recording. This is now finally a built-in tool that lets you record what is happening on your screen, either with the sound from your microphone, device, or both. Previously, you needed third-party apps like AZ screen recorder For that (and you still need them for advanced functions such as live streaming).
Credit: Google
When it comes to controlling your smart devices, Google finds that now you simply long press the power button to access a new menu that allows you to access device controls (similar to the Google Home app, but with a different design ), as well as payment methods and your boarding passes for example. And yes, you can restart and turn off your device from there too.
The media controls are also being redesigned, with controls being moved from Notifications to the Quick Settings bar. From there, it’s now also easier to choose where to play audio and video.
Over the past few years, the Android team has added a number of privacy features to the operating system, but they clearly remain a moving target. This update focuses on app permissions. It’s now easier to give an app one-time permissions to access your microphone, camera, and location. For example, you can ensure that an app does not have permanent access to your location. After you haven’t used an app for a while, Android will also reset your permissions and you’ll need to give access to the app again the next time you start it.
On the corporate side, Google is also introducing some new features that allow employees who use some personal apps on their work phone to keep their personal profile information and activities out of the hands of their company’s IT departments.
If you have a compatible phone, you should see an Android 11 upgrade notification soon.