Google's Android 11 public beta is now available

Conversations take centre stage with Android 11

Google usually announces Android 11 during its annual I/O developer conference, but with COVID-19, that plan went out the door. Instead, the company quietly rolled out the public beta of the next version of Android. It's coming to the Pixel 2, 2 XL, 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4, and 4 XL. To access the public beta, you can enroll in the Android Beta program here. Now, if you're running the Android 11 Developer Preview, you'll get an over-the-air update. Factory images, as well as Google's Android Flash tool, are also available.

When it comes to new features, Google said it's focusing on three key themes: People, Controls, and Privacy. We'll take a look at some of the useful functions under the cut. 

Android 11 is changing how Android handles conversations, including separating notifications of conversations and messages from your other notifications. These will live at the top of your notification tray. Google will even give you the option to set specific messages as a priority, allowing these to come through even when you've opted to mute your notifications. "Bubbles" or those floating icons that Facebook Messenger users on Android should be familiar with will be available for any chat app if their codes are updated.

Google is also offering better media controls with Android 11. It'll allow you to switch between devices easily right from the notifications shade. Android will also get more extensive media control options in the notifications. It'll let you resume a session right from there, and it'll allow you to switch between apps in the order they were last played.

For those who want more straightforward access to their smart devices, Android 11 will let you do a long press on the power button to bring up controls for your different smart home devices. It can also show your credit cards and payment methods added to Google Pay.

Google is extending its commitment to offer its users more privacy with Android 11. It'll let you provide one-time access to certain features (like camera and microphone) to specific apps. If you haven't used an app for a long time, it will "auto-reset" permissions, and it'll inform you about the change.

Source: GSMArena + The Next Web