Get to know Android 11 to unlock all the brand new options.
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Android 11 is lastly prepared for launch. The replace to Google’s cellular working system is rolling out proper now, beginning with Google’s personal Pixels and units from a couple of different phone-makers who’ve gotten their telephones prepared. The replace will develop to extra telephones within the coming weeks and months. If you are fortunate sufficient to have a telephone that is getting the brand new OS sooner quite than later, you are in for a deal with. There are refined tweaks all through Android 11 that make an enormous distinction in how you will use your telephone day by day. For instance, there is a new Bubbles characteristic that makes it simple to maintain messaging from any app. My private favourite is the brand new fast controls web page for accessing my sensible residence units with a swipe, and there is a new screen-recording device for exhibiting off your favourite gameplay or to assist somebody troubleshoot a problem. Below you will discover 5 of my favourite Android 11 options and how you can use them.Android 11 Quick Controls are a real spotlightThe very first thing you must do after putting in Android 11 is long-press the ability button in your telephone to convey up the brand new fast controls display. On the Pixel, at the very least, this display offers you energy management choices alongside the highest and gives shortcuts to your Google Pay playing cards and boarding passes. Then beneath that you will discover my favourite characteristic of Android 11 — fast controls for sensible residence units. Android 11’s fast controls are my new favourite controls.
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My telephone mechanically picked a couple of 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 straight on this display 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 the menu button and choosing add or edit controls.
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Messaging Bubbles to your pals seem like they will be helpful Remember Bubbles? This characteristic was purported to be a part of Android 10, however Google pulled it on the final minute. Well, it made the lower for Android 11. Bubbles are much like Facebook Messenger’s “chat heads” characteristic. When activated, a small avatar — or Bubble — reveals up in your display and is 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 absolutely opening the app. You can drag the Bubble round your display, or drag it to the underside of the display to delete it. Bubbles are handy, however will take some adjusting.
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In order to make use of Bubbles for a dialog, faucet on the small Bubbles icon within the bottom-right nook of the notification. Tapping on it is going to instantly allow Bubbles for that thread.Another strategy to activate Bubbles for particular conversations is to long-press on its notification and mark it as a precedence. Doing so is not going to solely activate Bubbles for that thread, however it is going to additionally enable that dialog to interrupt via Do Not Disturb making certain you do not miss any messages. You can then drag the icons to your numerous Bubbles chats round in your display, or faucet on the avatar for the particular person you need to discuss to, and the thread will open up all with out ever leaving the app you are presently utilizing. I’m glad that is an opt-in characteristic, primarily based on every thread, as a substitute of an all or nothing characteristic like Chat Heads. It’s messy and downright overwhelming. To eliminate a bubble for a particular dialog, simply drag the icon to the small X that reveals up on the backside of your display. If you need to fully disable Bubbles, disallowing any and all apps from triggering the possibly annoying characteristic, open the Settings app and seek for Bubbles. There will probably be a setting to show off Bubbles altogether.
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Android 11 will get fancier music controlsIn Android 11, there is a new playback management that now not seems as a pending notification. Instead, there is a small field that reveals up as a part of the fast settings panel. You can skip, return, play-pause and change the machine the music is taking part in on all from the brand new management field. As quickly as you begin taking part in some music, the brand new media controls will probably be obtainable. They’re so significantly better than the outdated notification. You can lastly file your display with an official Google device.
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A built-in display recorderScreenshots are a fast and straightforward strategy to seize one thing in your display, however there are occasions when a recording is healthier suited to the duty at hand. For instance, if you wish to exhibit your gaming expertise, or spotlight the steps to breed a bug — display recording FTW! You can discover the Screen Record device within the Quick Settings panel after putting in Android 11. If it isn’t seen, faucet on the pencil icon so as to add it to your panel. Tap on the Screen Record icon and choose whether or not you need your microphone to file audio and if you’d like 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 may then edit and share the recording. App strategies on the house display are new.
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For Pixel homeowners: App Suggestions exchange your app dockAt some level after putting in Android 11, you will see a immediate asking you to allow app strategies on the house display. Essentially, the brand new app strategies will exchange the app dock in your telephone, leaving it as much as your telephone to swap apps out and in of the underside row — or dock — in your telephone, primarily based on which apps you utilize at sure occasions of the day. The apps have a glowing border round them, letting you realize your telephone added them, and often change while you return to your private home display as you utilize your telephone. You can long-press on any of the app icons to pin that suggestion to your private home display. You also can block apps from exhibiting up as strategies if you do not need one thing like Gmail exhibiting since you use a distinct electronic mail app. To entry App Suggestions and tailor the way it works for you long-press on your private home display and choose Home Settings then Suggestions. There you may management strategies within the app drawer and on the house display or block apps from exhibiting up on the checklist. Google additionally made some necessary modifications to how Android handles privateness settings you must know, as properly. If you are in search of directions to put in Android 11, now we have your again.
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