Android 11 has a bunch of goodies.
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Google launched the primary public beta of Android 11 this week. There are loads of under-the-hood options for builders to reap the benefits of, however common customers aren’t omitted both. You can set up the primary beta proper now so long as you’ve a Pixel 2 or newer. I signed as much as take part within the beta program on a Pixel 4 XL ($799 at Amazon) and have been digging via the replace. We’re large followers of the brand new fast controls web page that is simple to entry and extremely useful, together with the revamped media controls, whereas app solutions and Bubbles will take some getting used to. While we’re positive Google has extra Android 11 surprises in retailer for us, listed here are 5 options we have now tried and know you may love when it is launched later this 12 months. Android 11’s fast controls are my new favourite controls.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET
Android 11 Quick Controls are a real spotlightThe very first thing you need to do after putting in Android 11, whether or not it is the beta or when it is formally launched, is long-press the facility button in your cellphone to convey up the brand new fast controls display screen. On the Pixel, at the very least, this display screen provides you energy management choices alongside the highest, gives shortcuts to your Google Pay playing cards and boarding passes, after which beneath that you will discover my favourite characteristic of Android 11 — fast controls for sensible residence units. My cellphone mechanically picked just a few units I’ve linked to Google Assistant, just like the Nest thermostat in my workplace and my Nest video doorbell. I may even view a livestream from my doorbell instantly on this display screen, with out having to open the Nest app (which is gradual and a ache to make use of). It’s nice. You can add or take away sensible residence units from this grid by tapping on the menu button and choosing add or edit controls.
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Bubbles look all types of helpful.
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Messaging Bubbles on your pals appear to be they will be helpful Remember Bubbles? This characteristic was speculated to be a part of Android 10, however Google pulled it on the final minute. Well, they’re again. Bubbles are much like Facebook Messengers “chat heads” characteristic. When activated, a small avatar — or Bubble — in your display screen that’s seen it doesn’t matter what app you are utilizing. Tap on the avatar and it’ll open a small window so that you can learn and ship new messages in that thread, with out totally opening the app. You can drag the Bubble round your display screen, or drag it to the underside of the display screen to delete it. In the primary public beta, the one app that appears to work with Bubbles proper now’s Facebook Messenger. Even then, it does not totally work. We anticipate Google will work out the kinks earlier than the complete Android 11 launch.In order to make use of Bubbles for a dialog, there will probably be a small Bubbles icon within the bottom-right nook of the notification. Tapping on it can instantly allow Bubbles for that thread.Another method to activate Bubbles for particular conversations is to long-press on its notification and mark it as a precedence. Doing so won’t solely activate Bubbles for that thread, however it can additionally enable that dialog to interrupt via Do Not Disturb guaranteeing you do not miss any messages. App solutions on the house display screen are new.
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App Suggestions substitute your app dockImmediately after putting in the general public beta and unlocking my Pixel 4 XL, I used to be greeted with an choice to allow app solutions on the house display screen. Unsure of what precisely that was, I reluctantly agreed. Turns out, it is fairly darn cool. Previously, Android made solutions within the app drawer of apps it thought you’d need to use, relying on the time of day and different mysterious components. In Android 11, there’s now a row of app solutions on the underside of your own home display screen the place your important app dock would usually present up. The apps have a glowing border round them, and often change once you return to your own home display screen as you utilize your cellphone. You can long-press on any of the app icons to pin that suggestion to your own home display screen. You may also block apps from displaying up as solutions if you do not need one thing like Gmail displaying up although you utilize a special e mail app. To entry App Suggestions and tailor the way it works for you long-press on your own home display screen and choose Home Settings then Suggestions. There you possibly can management solutions within the app drawer and on the house display screen or block apps from displaying up on the listing. The new media controls positive look good.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET
Android 11 will get fancier music controlsIn the weblog publish announcement for the Android 11 public beta, Google confirmed off a brand new music management interface that appeared superb. Instead of playback controls trying extra like a pending notification, they’re positioned within the Quick Settings panel on the high of your display screen. And once you work together with them, there is a new possibility to manage the place the music is taking part in. For instance, you probably have Google’s new Pixel Buds 2 and a Nest Hub ($90 at Best Buy), you possibly can rapidly change between the 2 units with a few faucets. If you put in the Android 11 beta, the characteristic is nowhere to be discovered once you start taking part in music. Don’t get discouraged — it is there, but it surely’s hidden. You’ll have to allow Developer Options in your cellphone by opening the Settings app and going to About cellphone. Scroll to the underside of the display screen the place you may discover Build Number. Tap on it till you see a small notification present up saying one thing like “Congrats! You’re now a developer.” Next, we’ll want to enter Developer Options in Settings > System. Once there, discover Media resumption, flip it on, after which reboot your cellphone. The subsequent time you begin taking part in some music, the brand new media controls will probably be obtainable. You can lastly report your display screen with an official Google device.
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A built-in display screen recorderScreenshots are a fast and straightforward method to seize one thing in your display screen, however there are occasions when a recording is best suited to the duty at hand. For instance, if you wish to exhibit your gaming abilities, or spotlight the steps to breed a bug — display screen recording FTW! You can discover the Screen Record device within the Quick Settings panel after putting in Android 11. If it is not seen, faucet on the pencil icon so as to add it to your panel.
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Tap on the Screen Record icon and choose whether or not you need your microphone to report audio and if you need your contact interactions to be highlighted within the video. To cease recording, faucet the Screen Record notification. The video will probably be saved to your digital camera roll the place you possibly can then edit and share the recording. We’re going to maintain digging into Android 11 and see what different goodies are hidden or added all through the remainder of the beta course of. In the meantime, in the event you simply cannot look ahead to Android 11 to launch later this 12 months, you possibly can set up it proper now.