Google announced the Android 11 Beta earlier this week. So, here’s a quick explanation of what’s new in Android 11.
Android 11 beta features
Android 11 beta brings new features such as aggregated notifications. They’re divided into conversations which are notifications from instant messaging apps, social apps, and notifications which are alerts from other apps. The OS now supports bubbles (chatheads) that can be placed on any screen, tapping which will open the conversation. The new version also introduces notification history, that shows any notifications that you may have missed.
It also lets you choose “priority notifications”, i.e., you can select your most important contacts and notifications from them will be placed at the top of the list.
The Recent apps screen has three new options: Screenshot, Select, Share. The first option allows you to take a screenshot of the current screen. Select lets you select text from the app you’re using and paste it in another app. Share is used to capture a screenshot and brings the share menu in a single tap. The new OS also brings native screen recording (video recording) to Android.
Android 11 has new Location Controls that only allows apps to ask for permissions for the current session (only this time), once, or deny. To allow permanent access, you’ll need to use the app’s permissions settings. Apps that you have on the phone but haven’t used for a long time will have their permissions revoked automatically.
List of devices which are eligible for Android 11 beta
- OnePlus 8
- OnePlus 8 Pro
- Pixel 2
- Pixel 2 XL
- Pixel 3
- Pixel 3 XL
- Pixel 3a
- Pixel 3a XL
- Pixel 4
- Pixel 4 XL
- Xiaomi Mi 10
- Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
- Poco F2 Pro
Google has confirmed that the Android 11 Beta is available for all Pixel devices, starting from gen 2. The first generation Pixel and Pixel XL will not be updated to Android 11.
OnePlus didn’t waste any time either, and has announced Android 11 beta for OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro, though it is calling it the Developer Preview Program. Head to the official website to download the preview version.
Xiaomi has also announced that the Android 11 Beta for Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro will be available soon.
In a separate message, the company confirmed that the Android 11 Beta for Poco F2 Pro will be made available soon.
