The next version of Android is now available for developer testing
A number of new features have reportedly been identified, including screen recording and extended screenshots
Yes, it’s that time of the year already when we begin to see signs of the next version of Android, Google’s popular mobile operating system. Yesterday, Google released the first Developer Preview for Android 11, which is known to be packed with references to new features that might make it to the final release version. According to reports by XDA Developers, one of those features could be a new quick settings panel with multi-coloured icons, while another could be double-tap gestures on the back of Pixel devices.
The report from XDA Developers suggests that Android 11’s quick settings panel could have multi-coloured icons for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, Battery Saver, etc. “The colors that you can pick currently include blue along with the aforementioned yellow, red, and green, though Google may add more colors in the future. The functionality of each Quick Setting tile doesn’t change—just the icon color,” the report says. Why Google is colouring its quick setting icons is not entirely clear at the moment. However, the possibility of Google creating its own version of UI themes cannot be dismissed.
Another report from XDA Developers suggests the presence of support for double-tap gestures on new and existing Pixel devices. Codenamed Columbus in the Developer Preview of Android 11, the feature could enable the user of a Pixel device to tap the “rear of the phone” to perform functions such as dismiss a timer, snooze an alarm, launch the camera app, open Google Assistant, play or pause media, silence an incoming phone call, etc. It could even let the user set a custom action, such as launch WhatsApp. Going by the report, no additional hardware is necessary for this feature to work.
Android 11 Developer Preview 1 reportedly contains references to other new features, which may or may not make it to the final release version. For example, Android 11 could feature screen recording and extended screenshots, both of which are already available on many smartphones in the market today. Android 11 is expected to come with improved app permission requests, which let the user have more control over their data. Android 11 could also get a ‘bubbles’ feature, which is similar to floating chat icons seen on Facebook Messenger. We expect to learn more about Android 11 in the coming weeks and months.
Inline image courtesy: XDA Developers
Follow Us
Digit NewsDesk
Digit News Desk writes news stories across a range of topics. Getting you news updates on the latest in the world of tech. View Full Profile
