Letters and candy are dropped. Google officially calls its upcoming operating system Android 11, and now the official developer version has been released. We show you what new features await you in the future.
The release of Android 11 is getting closer and closer. We expect to be able to install the latest version on our smartphones in the third quarter of 2020. Insights are now provided by the first beta version presented by Google.
Currently, however, only a few users and smartphones are able to test the upcoming version. Here you can find out how you can participate in the test program.
Android 11: These are the 6 most important features
The new version of the operating system brings many useful features to our smartphones. We would like to introduce you to the six most important innovations in more detail.
1. Clearer chat messages
With Android 11 you will be able to keep a better eye on your individual chats. Because in the notifications they will get a separate area. This is also taken into account when multitasking, via so-called chat bubbles that can be seen at the edge of the screen.
If you want to make certain chats with your contacts prominent, you can easily prioritise them. This is why the new messages will appear at the top of the chat area.
2. Improved voice control
Users with impaired vision can use an optimized voice control on Android 11.
The focus here is on a virtual cortex that can relate screen contents and context more precisely and thus create better access points for the input assistance for the user.
3. Optimized app permissions
Likewise, Android 11 gives you better control over app permissions. For example, an app can be granted access to the location, camera or microphone only once. There is a “This time only” option in the settings.
If you use it again, Android will force the app to ask for permission again. If an app is not used for a longer period of time, Android 11 will reset all permissions. This means that apps can no longer access the corresponding data in the background without being noticed.
In addition, Android 11 prevents the app from asking for permissions again. So if a user chooses “No” as an option twice during a corresponding permission query, no further query of the app can take place. This will then only be possible again via a de- and re-installation.
4. Better control for connected devices
The new version of the Android operating system simplifies connections to external devices such as smart home gadgets, speakers or smart TVs. You can get an overview of all connected devices by pressing the power button for a while.
It will also be easier to switch between different audio and video players in the future.
5. Restricted location access
Google is also gaining ground in terms of user location. With the introduction of Android 11, every app will have to ask the user whether it can query the location in the background. However, app developers have until 2021 to implement the necessary changes.
6. Faster system updates
For important system updates, Google will no longer have to wait for adjustments from smartphone manufacturers. This means that users will be able to access essential updates even faster.
Google also announced that it intends to double the number of modules that can be updated. Bugs can thus be closed faster than before.
