Android 11 Features: Best New Features From Android 11 Beta

Google has postponed its Android 11 Beta Show considering the ongoing situation. However, the tech giant sent out the beta version to a number of users even earlier than scheduled.

Previously, Google released several builds of Android 11 for developer previews. But the beta version will allow more users to test out new features of the OS. Android 11 will be officially launched sometime later in 2020.

More importantly, several users who have tried out Android 11 revealed a handful of features that didn’t appear in earlier previews.

Media Resumption

In general, the next Android version looks similar to the current version, but Google has made a few changes for simpler media control. For instance, instead of a dedicated card for playback controls in the notification tray, there is now a new set of music controls in the quick settings.

The new feature is Media Resumption. From the top of the screen, you just need to swipe down halfway to see the music controls. As you’re swiping down, there will be a larger interface showing extra buttons and controls for liking, disliking, scrubbing a track, etc.

New icon shapes

There are three new shapes for app icons on the home screen, including a rounded oblong shape called Pebble, a tapered rectangle with angled corners, and something looking like a postage stamp called Vessel.

In earlier builds, Google revealed Flower and Hexagon shapes for app icons, along with some theme customization tools. All in all, it seems that the tech giant is looking to let users personalize how their devices look and feel.

Device Controls menu

This is probably the most useful feature in Android 11. It acts as a centralized location that lets you control all the paired smart home devices. This means you won’t have to open individual apps for Hue or Google Home Nest to control your lighting and smart lock anymore. All the controls will be available in one place.

Apart from these, there are smaller tweaks, such as the ability to customize which apps will be suggested by the Android launcher, wifi-enhanced MAC randomization, a new submenu for bubble notification control, and improve accessibility settings.

However, it appears that the scrolling screenshots feature has been removed from the beta.

>>> So Far, These Are The 11 Best Features Of Android 11