Android 11: 5 Features You Should Know About

The Android 11 Developer Preview appeared on Google website for a short duration of time and then was taken down by Google. It has however, revealed many features of the upcoming Android update.

Android 11 will be the first Android version with only numerical denotation and no name inspired by a dessert. The Android update is expected to be launched by mid-2020, most probably at a Google event on May 12. It is expected to be rolled out by October to most Android devices with Android 7.0 and later Android versions.

The operating system has also appeared on Geekbench under the name Android R in January this year. The Developer Preview for the OS has gone live and revealed many of the features of the operating system, which include:

One-Time location access: Google, it seems is trying to emulate Apple’s privacy-first approach. Android 11 is expected to provide a new location tracking control, similar to the new location tracking control that has been launched in iOS 13. Android 11 will also provide similar options to users for providing one-time access for a microphone or camera.

Google has also removed the “allow all the time” permission from the dialogue box by default — no app will be able to ask for 24/7 location access at launch. Any background location permission will need to be explicitly enabled by a user.

5G Connectivity Options: Android 11 is expected to be focused on 5G connectivity. Google has pushed developers to focus on 5G-based experiences while developing their apps. It will also provide 5 connectivity options for developers. According to the Overview listed by Google, these include:

1. connected_mmwave: Device currently connected to 5G cell as the secondary cell and using millimeter wave.

2. connected: Device currently connected to 5G cell as the secondary cell but not using millimeter wave.

3. not_restricted_rrc_idle: Device camped on a network that has 5G capability (not necessary to connect a 5G cell as a secondary cell) and the use of 5G is not restricted and RRC currently in IDLE state.

4. not_restricted_rrc_con: Device camped on a network that has 5G capability (not necessary to connect a 5G cell as a secondary cell) and the use of 5G is not restricted and RRC currently in the CONNECTED state.

5. restricted: Device camped on a network that has 5G capability (not necessary to connect a 5G cell as a secondary cell) but the use of 5G is restricted.

Bubble Notifications: The company is expected to launch new notification systems, which will show notification in the form of floating bubbles, which can float atop apps and be expanded to reveal app functionality and information. They can also appear when the phone is locked and always-on is display is active.

Conversations: The new update is expected to have a new Conversations section, which will break new messages into their own area and allow users using various apps better.

Screen Recording: The company is expected to finally launch the screen recording feature, which was a part of Android 10 Developers Preview, but not of the final update.