Last updated on March 9, 2021
With a delay of around a month, Google released the first public beta of Android 11 for download. It is currently available for Pixel 2, 2XL, 3, 3XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4 and 4XL – smartphones from selected Android partners are to follow. In the first beta, Google will focus on innovations in the areas of messaging and data protection .
With Android 11, the notification center has its own area for messaging applications. In addition, it will be possible to mark conversations as important from there – the marking removes the restrictions of the “Do not disturb” settings.
Also new are the so-called bubbles, which were tested for the first time with Android 10 and did not make it into the final version. Bubbles allows you to create a link to a specific conversation, which is then always displayed as a “bubble” on the screen and also superimposes the currently used app. The round icon can be placed anywhere on the screen and leads the user to the linked conversation with one click without leaving the app currently in use.
The OS update also brings advanced settings for data protection. Android 11 creates the possibility of granting certain permissions only once. For example, you can allow an app to access the location in a certain situation. As soon as the app is closed, the authorization is withdrawn and must be requested or granted again if necessary.
Furthermore, Android will automatically revoke all authorizations from apps that have not been used for a long time. If the app is opened again at any time, it can request the required authorizations again.
In addition, Android 11 is designed to simplify the management of smart home and connected devices. Long press the power button to display an overview of all devices linked to the Google account, including the cards stored for Google Pay. In this way, a user can quickly and easily check the status of an intelligent door lock or switch from the Pixel Buds to a Nest Hub to play music.
Interested users must join the Android 11 beta program to receive the trial version. Xiaomi will soon offer Android 11 Beta for the Poco F2 Pro as well as the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro. It should be noted, however, that a beta version is usually not suitable for productive use.
