Google has announced its first Android 11 developer preview, the next version of its Android operating system.
It’s the earliest Google has made such a preview so the changes here aren’t the front-facing, but Google is making some big announcements, such as enhanced 5 G coverage, better privacy features, and new messaging interfaces.Android 11’s most interesting features1.Scheduled dark themeI’m not a fan of that dark Android theme.
Android 11 is now stated to be able to schedule when your device switches to dark mode.
At the moment, it seems only Google has its messaging app support, but the idea is that any app — such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Signal — can take advantage of this feature.3.ConversationsThere’s a new dialogue section of the Notification Shade to go with the bubbles that break out new messages in your area before all your emails, Instagram likes, and app updates.
The idea is to make the communication part of your phone more accessible because, well, it’s a phone, and it does what it does — helping you talk to people.4.Screen recordingTo get screen recordings on Android, I had to use a third-party tool like AZ Screen Recorder; With the release of Android 11, that app may no longer be needed.This screen recording feature briefly appeared in one of the Android 10 builds, but quickly disappeared — there is no way to know if it will disappear as soon as Android 11 rolls out.
Hopefully, this time developers will release this feature, so that users can grab a video screengrab of their device to share with others.5.Motion Sensation TipsThis feature will be on the pixel line of the device, at least initially.