New Android Go version brings Android 11 features to entry-level phones
A number of Pixels and premium phones are now getting a sweet love of the update after the Android 11 debut. But what about cheaper devices with lower specifications?
Google has now confirmed that the new version of Android Go based on Android 11 is now ready for affordable devices. The company also explained the improvements made to the stripped-down Android build over the previous iteration.
For starters, there are improvements in notification handling and user navigation. Google’s swipe-based gesture system is now standard in the operating system and should speed up swiping through menus on devices with larger displays.
Android Go also now collects conversations from a number of apps in a dedicated notification area on the operating system, making it harder to mistakenly close a chat and easier to find all of them.
Improvements in data protection are another welcome addition that more acute authorization management offers. As with Android 11, Android Go users can now grant an app access to a sensor for a single session. If an app is granted long-term access but is not used for an extended period of time, this permission is also automatically reset.
As budget devices continue to grow in performance, Android Go will evolve to make better use of their features. Google cites a 20% faster app launch speed for Android 11 Go Edition compared to the older Android 10-based operating system.
Finally, Android Go now supports devices with up to 2GB of RAM. This should dramatically improve the user experience on entry-level phones and also improve the handling of background apps.
These improvements may not be as current as chat bubbles and Android Auto wireless, but they should go a long way in improving the digital lives of budget smartphone users.
Next: These are the best Android 11 features you need to know
