Google has officially launched the latest iteration of their smartphone OS, Android 11. As usual with any OS update, Google is adding new features in order to improve the Android ecosystem as well as implementing features which were previously found only on select devices.
Sick of jumping to and from different apps for multiple conversations? Android 11 is now implementing the ability to respond and control conversations across multiple messaging apps. You can now pin important messages and conversations and reply to them on your lock screen.
Android 11 is also adding Bubbles onto its messaging app. Previously seen on Facebook Messenger, Bubbles now add small circular overlays onto the screen so you can easily reply to messages even while working or browsing.
While most of their partner smartphones with custom UIs have already imposed their own screen recording capabilities, Google is now allowing users of Android 11 to natively record both the screen and microphone without downloading any third-party apps.
Android 11 will now sport a faster and easier to use Voice Access. By speaking out loud to the smartphone, you can now easily control and navigate the device. It can even be used offline so you have the capability for voice controls in areas without Internet.
The latest iteration of the Android OS will now allow you to quickly switch from your headphones to your speakers with a single tap. This will enable you to transition to different audio sources through the smartphone itself.
In addition to voice and media controls, you can now seamlessly see and control multiple connected devices with a long press of the power button. Once pressed, an overview of currently linked devices will be shown to you.
Privacy is a top priority to anyone, especially in these interconnected times. Android 11 will now be able to grant one-time permission to apps as well as the ability to auto-reset the permissions of apps you have not used in a while.
Google’s Pixel smartphones, which include the Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, and Pixel 4a, can now download Android 11 via the system settings. Currently, only a handful of smartphones will receive the public beta of Android 11:
Modern smartphones and other devices are expected to receive beta or stable builds sometime in the future as Android 11 is slowly rolled out to the public.
