Android 11 is finally here after months of development with developer previews that have showcased some of its most important new features. Let's summarize what having Android 11 as a base for custom interfaces or for those with a Pixel device will mean.
To that end, Google has summarized the key features of this new version of Android into 11 new features, which will be rolling out in the coming days and months for many other phones. Let's take a look.
The 11 new features of Android 11
With its number-based naming convention and leaving behind those overly sweet names, Android 11 arrives eager to offer a better experience with some features that will even save us from installing third-party apps.
The chats where they matter in the notification panel
The first of these new features is a dedicated space that will take as its own all those conversations and chats that we have with the numerous apps that exist today for these purposes.
Even within this space in the notification panel, we'll have the ability to prioritize the chats we want to keep front and center. In other words, the chats that matter to us will be there first.
Floating chat bubbles
Those famous floating bubbles from Facebook Messenger are now the way to go in any other chat app we have on Android 11. This means we can go back and forth between chat conversations using a bubble that will float in the background, just like Messenger.
If we're having a lively chat through one of our favorite apps , we can return to it without having to open the main app. Multitasking is therefore making a comeback, taking center stage in a system like Android; don't forget Samsung's calculator mode, which is a game-changer for multitasking.
At last: screen recording natively on Android 11
One of the biggest requests from the Android community has been the lack of a built-in screen recording feature. Finally, it's here, allowing you to capture and share what's happening on your screen.
You can record sound from the microphone, the device, or both without needing to install a third-party app; by the way, we recommend these screen recording apps if you can't get Android 11.
Better control for home automation
We have more and more connected devices in our homes , and Android 11 is here to enhance this experience. With Android 11, we can access all our connected smart devices from a single location.
By pressing and holding the power button, we can switch to thermostat control, or to the series of smart bulbs we have located in our home.
Better controls for multimedia
Google continues to redesign everything related to multimedia playback , and this time they have focused on switching between different devices that play our music, videos, or images.
In other words, we can go from listening to our favorite song on Spotify through our headphones, to taking them off and switching the playback directly to the Bluetooth speakers we have connected.
Android Auto for everyone (as long as your vehicle is compatible)
While Android Auto support depends on your vehicle's manufacturer and year , Android Auto will work flawlessly on Android 11 as long as you have it. All phones with this version will be able to use it.
Greater granular control over permissions
Emphasis is placed on protecting elements that could compromise our privacy, such as the microphone or camera. If permission has been requested to use these elements, permission will be requested again whenever their use is required.
Resetting the permissions for apps that we don't usually use
Android 11 will reset the permissions of apps we don't usually use to prevent them from accessing our data. The next time we use that app, Android 11 will ask us to grant it permission for media, microphone, etc.
Module update of the Google Play system
Google intends to use Google Play to update the system in modules . This means that security and privacy updates will be delivered through this channel.
This means we'll see Android system updates without having to wait for a major system update. This is a new development worth paying attention to, given the potential for strengthening Android's core functionality.
Android Enterprise
We're increasingly seeing new features related to "Enterprise" and its connection to the professional use of Android phones. This is because Android 11 incorporates the privacy and security measures typically found on devices designed for professional use.
A job profile that gives the IT department tools to manage a device remotely without interfering with your personal data or activity on the phone.
For owners of a Pixel 2 and higher
You will receive updates to organize and manage your phone, such as app suggestions on the home screen based on your daily routines.
And these are the 11 new features of Android 11 that have started rolling out to some Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Realme devices. Now it's time to discover the new experiences.