Google has released the developer test version of Android 11, which gives us a first look at the new features of the Android operating system update that will be released later this year. These are the news of Android 11, and when it is likely to go on sale.
The third installment of the Android 11 developer trailer is out now, and the first Public Beta is slated to arrive on June 3. You can tune in to the live announcement at 11am ET (4pm GMT) through the video above.
In the most recent release most of the changes are "aesthetic", with modifications in the way of selecting the wallpapers, bigger notification preference windows, the volume menu renamed to 'sound', among other things.
There are a few minor changes to other parts of the interface, too, including the ability to dismiss any notifications, including ongoing notifications, an undo gesture if an app is unintentionally closed, and the ability to adjust the rollback gesture sensitivity for both. sides of the screen independently.
It is the continuation of the launch in March of the second Developer Preview, which added new 5G APIs for compatible devices, improvements in Google's call filtering function, and angle detection for folding devices. Network APIs, foreground service updates for the camera, and support for variable microphone refresh rate and many other technical processes running in the background were also added in the build.
In this article we explain when Android 11 will come out and when you can actually install it, as well as the new features you can expect from the new software.
When will Android 11 come out
With the launch of Android 7 Nougat in 2016, Google advanced its release schedule for Android operating system updates, first revealing the release to the end consumer ahead of its October hardware event.
Since then we have seen Android updates arrive every August, with a release on September 3, 2019, the only exception to this rule.
This has caused Google to rethink when it first releases the developer code, having previously remained a secret until the public release of the beta version.
This event, Google I / O, which will take place in May 2020 - now we were used to seeing the Developer Forecast every March.
With earlier access to the developer version of Android 11 in February, Google may once again be looking to turn things around, perhaps as early as July 2020.
The timeline it has set for future updates and betas seems to confirm this, though Google has only committed to one release in Q3 2020. We will see three developer previews and three public betas ahead of the final release.
Previous Android OS release dates
Android 5 Lollipop
First Beta: June 25, 2014
Full Release for Consumers: November 12, 2014
Android 6 Marshmallow
First Beta: May 28, 2015
Release for the final consumer: October 5, 2015
Android 7 Nougat
First Beta: March 9, 2016
Public beta (Beta 3): May 18, 2016, with updates on June 15 and July 18
Release for the final consumer: August 22, 2016
Android 8 Oreo
Developer preview: March 21, 2017
Public beta: May 17, 2017, with updates on June 8 and July 24
Release for the final consumer: August 21, 2017
Android 9 Pie
Developer Preview: March 7, 2018
Public beta: May 8, 2018, with updates on June 6, July 2, and July 25
Release for the final consumer: August 6, 2018
Android 10
Developer Preview: March 13, 2019
Public Beta (Beta 3): May 7, 2019, with updates on June 5, July 10, and August 7
Release for the final consumer: September 3, 2019
Android 11
Development preview 1: February 19, 2020
Development preview 2: March 2020
Developer Preview 3: April 2020
Public Beta 1: May 12, 2020
Public Beta 2: June 2020
Public Beta 3 (Release Candidate Build): Q3 2020 (possibly July)
Release for the final consumer: Q3 2020 (possibly in July)
When can I have Android 11
Although the developer version is already available, it is not recommended for consumers. This means that it is only available as a manual or flash update.
If you have a Google Pixel phone (2/2 XL / 3/3 XL / 3a / 3a XL / 4/4 XL) and you are super interested in being the first to get your hands on it, then we can show you how to install Android 11, but We strongly advise you to wait for the public beta to be announced on Google I / O.
Consumer beta support will include more than just Pixel phones, though we won't know exactly which devices are suitable until the time is coming.
As a guide, in 2019 the Android 10 beta could be installed on 21 devices, including select models from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Asus, Huawei, Sony, Nokia, Oppo, LG, Essential, Vivo, and Realme.
After this we expect a final version for Android 11 in July or August 2020, but keep in mind that unless you are running a Google Pixel, Android One, or one of the phones supported by the beta version it is unlikely that you will receive the update immediately.
Although phone manufacturers have been much better at rolling out updates in recent years, older, cheaper phones will almost certainly not make the cut.
The time it takes to roll out the updates and the fact that some devices will never get the update at all has meant that Android has long been criticized for still having users using older, less secure platforms.
What will Android 11 be called
Simply Android 11. Gone are the days when we had fun guessing what Google would call its latest Android update.
Since the first Android operating system was released, the naming system has followed two rules: it must be in alphabetical order and it must be sweet food.
The fact is, Google was always going to have a problem when it hit 'Q' in 2019, with Android 10 Quiche not having the same ring as Android 8 Oreo or Android 5 Lollipop.
And let's face it, Google had already had trouble with Android Nougat in 2016, asking the public for help naming its next operating system and finally settling on a word that half of its customers couldn't even pronounce, and then in 2018 struggling to get something more tempting than a pie (Pie) for the letter P.
You may see some technical sites that refer to Android's next installment as Android R in the coming months as we get closer to launch, and while it would be much easier to find a proper name for this, we can't see Google revoking the last year's decision to drop desserts. A great pity.
Here are the previous Android OS names:
- Android 1.6 Donut
- Android 2.0 Eclair
- Android 2.2 Froyo
- Android 2.3 Gingerbread
- Android 3 Honeycomb
- Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- Android 4.4 KitKat
- Android 5 Lollipop
- Android 6 Marshmallow
- Android 7 Nougat
- Android 8 Oreo
- Android 9 Pie
- Android 10
What are the new features of Android 11
Thanks to the launch of the developer version, we can now tell what you can expect from the next version of Android-based on facts and not rumors.
However, the Developer Preview serves us only as a test, and we'll have a much more complete picture of what can be expected during the opening speech of Google I / O.
In a blog post announcing the Android 11 developer preview, Google hints at the following new features:
New conversation features
One of the highlights of Android 11 is 'Bubbles', which sounds a lot like a feature provided by Facebook Messenger, keeping conversations in plain view on the screen until you rule them out.
We haven't seen exactly how it works yet, but while you wait for a friend's next reply, you'll be able to get on with other things more easily, not forgetting the ongoing chat.
The drop-down menu for notifications is also getting a bit of a revamp, first with a new section dedicated to 'Conversations', which makes it easier to continue chatting with friends, and second with the ability to copy and paste images in responses right inside the notification.
You can long-press to promote a conversation to a bubble, create a shortcut on the home screen for the conversation, mute or have the conversation notification stop, and mark a conversation as very important.
Call projection
Android 11 may offer a call screen to add a caller to contacts or mark a call as spam.
Muted notifications during video recording
Android 11 will be able to disable vibrating alerts for ringtones, alarms, and notifications while the camera is working.
Other cameras and image enhancements include animated HEIF drawing tables, a native image decoder, and the ability for applications to access the camera's bokeh mode for video and photos.
Unique permissions
Current Android users will be familiar with pop-ups that require their permission for an app to do a certain thing, like access to its location.
After adding the possibility of granting permissions only while the app is open last year, on Android 11 Google launches with the possibility of granting that permission only on that occasion. In other words, they will be asked for permission each time.
Improved 5G support
Google is updating its connectivity APIs to take full advantage of the fastest 5G speeds.
In particular, the Dynamic Metering API can check to see if you are on an unmeasured rate and deliver higher resolution and quality content as appropriate, while the Bandwidth Estimation API makes it easy to get download and upload speed data no need to measure the network or device.
Support for new screen types
Pinhole screens (where the selfie camera is housed in a small cut-out of the screen) and waterfall screens (where the screens curl around the phone frame) are already included in existing APIs but without full functionality.
The new APIs will allow cascading displays to use the entire display, including borders, and inserts to be used so as not to complicate any interaction at the edges.
Scope storage
Few details were given as to what exactly this means, but Google says it has continued its work to "better protect the app and user data on external storage and has made further improvements to help developers migrate more. easily".
Enhanced security
With Android 11, Google will reach more devices with monthly security updates, and incorporates more protections on the platform.
Specifically, it calls for improved APIs for biometrics, which now reaches more devices and supports three levels of granularity for authenticator types; hardening the platform, expanding its use of compiler-based sanitizes on safety-critical components; secure storage and data sharing, through BlobstoreManager; and identity credentials, adding support for secure storage and retrieval of verifiable identity documents.
Other news:
- Neural network API that helps in intensive machine learning operations on Android devices
- Increased investment in Google Play system updates to improve security, privacy, and consistency
- New processes that prioritize application compatibility to make updates faster and smoother
- Low-latency video decoding and low-latency HDMI mode
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