Google presented on Tuesday the first Android 11 Developer Preview version, the next big upgrade to your mobile system. Although Google didn't include many screenshots in its post to support the announcement of the new changes, the company made big promises, like better privacy features and new interfaces messaging, new procedures related to 5G or autonomy, as well as other improvements such as native screen recording, among others.
This is a preview of Android 11 for developers that comes a little earlier than usual and is now available for Pixel 2, 3, 3a and 4 teams, as well as generic images of the system. The name Android 11 is the result of a new nomenclature that was adopted after the launch of the previous version of its mobile operating system.
These are some of the new features and updates which Google listed in their blog post:
A better "single" authorization option for applications: This is one of the features that Google highlighted in the announcement of the Android 11 Preview Developer as it will grant a "single permission" for applications that want to access the data of their location, microphone and camera devices. It's a simple addition, but it makes Android much more secure.
The "Bubbles" API, this is a new user interface for messaging applications that allows multiple conversations to be easily accessible anywhere, reducing them to a minimizable floating circle on the face of the contact. In addition to the Google messaging application, other applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or Signal could be compatible.
Another novelty that stands out in this preview of Android 11 is that Google has changed the notification panel on Android again And this year Google says the panel will include a "section dedicated to conversations in the shadow of the notification."
Google has introduced a new "conversations" section in the notification area that distributes new messages in its own area before all emails, Instagram preferences, and app updates. The idea is to make the communication parts of your phone more accessible and allow users to "instantly find your current conversations with people in their favorite applications."
Screen recording: this function allows you to record the screen and it is that even though google already had a version in the beta of Android 10 that did not reach the final version.
An "Application Compatibility" page: Google makes life easier for Android 11 app developers as Google has created an "App Compatibility" page with switch functions for each app.
The idea is that instead of defining a new SDK target and recompile your application to test it, just open the compatibility page of the application, start toggling the buttons and see what is not working ?. Google also claims that it has tried to "minimize behavioral changes that could affect applications" and has made acceptance changes whenever possible.
A better 5G experience: Google wants to allow more users around the world to have a better 5G experience. In Android 11, the company has updated and updated the connectivity APIs so you can take advantage of the improved speeds of 5G. This API allows developers to check if the connection is unlimited and if so, offer a higher resolution or quality that can use more data.
Android modularization continues with Android 11: on Android 10, the «Mainline Project», has moved many system components to APK upgradeable to a new, more powerful file format called "APEX".
APEX is a custom file format designed to be accessible earlier in the boot process and having more permissions than an APK, making it ideal for hosting and updating lower-level system components.
Finally they announce many other small adjustments and changes, like the automatic switch to dark mode and the ability to pin apps to the top of the action sheet.
Source: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/