Android 11
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Android 11 beta hands-on: More controls, more clutter
Which is strange, given it appears to support Android Messages in Google’s own animated image showing off the new feature. But I did get a chance to see Google’s new suggested row of apps.
The Android 11 beta launch event has been postponed
Google's launch of the Android 11 beta has been pushed back again.
Motorola promises one additional Android update for the $1,000 Edge+
After it previously said it would deliver one major Android update to the Edge+, Motorola now says the phone will also get Android 12.
The first public Android 11 beta will be available on June 3rd
Google will run through some Android 11 features in a keynote on that day.
Google’s latest Android 11 preview helps devs fix app-breaking bugs
The latest Android 11 developer preview is here with a host of enhancements designed to streamline creating new apps.
Android 11 developer preview offers more control over robocalls
Android 11 might make life considerably easier if you're tired of fighting robocalls. Google has released a second Developer Preview for Pixel phones with frameworks that let call-screening apps not only verify calls, but tell you whether it's in your contacts and provide a reason for rejecting a call. Your carrier might know whether you feel a call is spam or something more innocuous.
Google will review Android apps that request background location info
Google's upcoming efforts to improve mobile privacy will extend beyond the upgrades in Android 11. Starting August 3rd, the company will require approval for background location requests in all Play Store-bound Android apps. It'll determine if the feature is necessary, expected and provides "clear value," and reject those apps that appear to be asking for too much. A social network app that lets you voluntarily share continuous location data will likely get approval, for example, but a shopping app with a retail store locator might be rejected until it limits location access to when you're actively using it.
Android 11 Developer Preview focuses on 5G and better privacy
After a brief tease, the first Android 11 Developer Preview is available for Pixel devices -- and it's clear Google is thinking about the future with this release. The test software is built with a few new technologies in mind, most notably 5G. New frameworks let app creators determine whether or not someone's on an unlimited data plan or has 5G-level bandwidth, making it possible to tailor experiences for people with unfettered connections. There's also improved support for hole-punch and waterfall screens, neural networks and low-latency video (think Stadia).