As reported by 9to5Google, the main changes are mostly cosmetic, with changes to how wallpapers are selected, larger notification preference windows, the volume menu renamed to ‘sound’, and more.
Minor changes to other parts of the UI include being able to dismiss any notification including ongoing notifications, an undo gesture if an app is closed unintentionally and the ability to adjust back gesture sensitivity for both sides of the display independently.
New versions of Android are first made available in a developer beta for that community to test their apps with the altered OS and to report issues back to Google. When it becomes something approaching stable, Google releases a public beta for anyone with a Pixel or other compatible Android phone to use.
Usually, the new fully stable version of Android will release around October alongside new Pixel phones.
That might be different this year with the coronavirus pandemic upending many tech companies’ plans – Google’s own I/O conference was completely cancelled including the online portion. The event would have been used to preview Android 11 to a wider tech audience, and likely introduce the Pixel 4a.
Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.
