Google launches Android 11 — here are six ways that it is better than Android 10

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Google launches Android 11 — here are six ways that it is better than Android 10
  • Google is officially rolling out Android 11 with features galore.
  • OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo and Oppo’s daughter-company RealMe have already announced that they will be releasing the new update on their flagship devices.
  • Here are six ways that the new operating system is a step up from its predecessor that will affect the way you use your phone on a day-to-day basis.
Google’s Android 11 is finally here, but its immediate release will be limited to flagship devices. This will leave a vast majority of phones out of the loop, especially those in the budget segment. But then again, that’s been an ongoing issue everytime Google rolls out a new operating system.

In addition to Google's Pixel smartphones, the new Android user interface will be available on select Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, and RealMe flagship devices. This includes the Mi 10 series, Oppo Find X2, One Plus 8 series, and more.

Since these devices don’t run on stock Android like the Pixel series, the manufacturers will be releasing their user interface updates on Android 11.

The new update has features by the dozen, and most of them make the user experience better than before.

Here are six ways that it will affect the way you use your phone on a day-to-day basis:
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​Pro: Conversation notifications and bubbles

​Pro: Conversation notifications and bubbles
Google/BI India

It’s easy for conversations to get lost in the wave of notifications that flow in daily. Android 11’s new notifications and bubbles allow the user to prioritise and set reminders for the important conversation.

The Bubbles API also helps users multi-task as they go about using other applications on their phones while having a conversation.

​Pro: Do Not Disturb gets more customised

​Pro: Do Not Disturb gets more customised
Google

Rather than having a blanket ban on notifications in the Do Not Disturb mode, Android 11 lets users customise which apps are allowed to send notifications and which ones are not.

In Android 10, you could only choose between hiding notifications, badges, or simply mute pop-ups.

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​Pro: Media Controls

​Pro: Media Controls
Google

Rather than having to deep dive into the settings every time you want to switch your audio output from headphones to speakers or even to their TV, the media controls will now appear up top for easy access.

Pro: ​Permission auto-reset

Pro: ​Permission auto-reset
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Most users download an app once and then forget about it. Even though one may not be actively using an app, it still has all your permissions.

With Android 11, the operating system will ‘auto-reset’ the permissions when an app has not been used for an extended period.

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​Pro: More user control over location permissions

​Pro: More user control over location permissions
Google

Now for an app to have background location requires extra authentication, and users also have the option of giving ‘one-time’ permission to apps for location access.

​Pro: Call screening support

​Pro: Call screening support
Google

What some are calling the end of Truecaller, Google’s Android 11 will help with screening calls. It will be able to filter out spam calls and also allow users to flag calls that may be a nuisance.

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What does Android 11 mean for funky new displays?

What does Android 11 mean for funky new displays?

What does Android 11 mean for funky new displays?

Google claims that Android 11 will bring in more support for new screen types — like hole-punch, waterfall, and fold-able displays.

While most of the new features are a step up from Android 11’s predecessor, there’s a larger question around how these may lead to different versions of the operating system — more diversity.

And, as with all other Android OS updates, Google still needs to do a better job of reaching out to budget phones with its initial release.