Google officially announces first Android 11 public beta

Google yesterday released the first beta version of Android 11 to the public. This pre-release version supports pixel 2,3,3a and 4 devices and will be rolled out in other devices in the coming weeks.

Google has worked on improvements on the screen recorder, updated Voice Access, improved performance, and an improved share menu that makes it easier to share content from your phone.

Google says the beta focuses on three key themes: people, controls and privacy. To make communication easier and simpler on your phone. Android 11 will move conversations across multiple messaging apps to a dedicated space in the notification section. This makes it easy to see, respond to and manage your conversations all in one place. You can mark a conversation as a priority to give it preference so you never miss an important message. These key conversations show up on your always-on display and can even “breakthrough” a Do Not Disturb setting.

Android 11 also introduces Bubbles, a new feature to help you respond and engage with important conversations without switching back and forth between your current task and the messaging app. You can open a bubble for your conversation right from the notification and multitask without missing a thing.

In addition, when you type using Gboard in Android 11, you’ll get relevant and automatic suggestions for emoji and text. This is possible because of secure on-device intelligence that takes advantage of Federated Learning, and it works without Google ever seeing anything you type.

Android has also adopted new ways to make it faster and easier to access and control your connected devices. You can now quickly access and control your smart devices in one place by long pressing on the power button. Adjusting the temperature, turning on the lights or unlocking the front door can now be done with a tap without opening multiple apps. Your device controls show up alongside other things you need at the ready. For example your payment methods or your boarding pass.

“We’re also introducing new media controls in Android 11. Making it quick and convenient to switch the device your audio or video content is playing on. It is now easier to bring your music with you from your headphones, to speakers, or even to your TV.”

Android 11 also packs more granular controls for the most sensitive permissions. With one-time permissions, you can grant apps access to your microphone, camera or location, just that one time. The next time the app needs access to these sensors, it will have to ask you for permission again.
In addition, if you haven’t used an app for an extended period of time, we will “auto-reset” all of the permissions associated with that app and notify yoU. You can always choose to re-grant the app permissions the next time you open the app.