Google has not kept us waiting too long until we can enjoy the final version of Android 11. As of today, the update is already available, and its news has been published on the official website of the operating system.
All those mobile phones compatible with Android 11 will begin to receive the update from today, starting with the Google Pixels. Later, the rest of the manufacturers will update their mobiles based on their update plans.
As we had seen for ourselves in the different beta versions, Android 11 arrives loaded with important news. We find changes in the interface, new tools and utilities, and other improvements in terms of privacy or notification management.
Android 11: how to download
As usual, the Google Pixel is the first mobile to receive an update to the new version of Android.
They do it from today through OTA, so users will only have to accept the download of the update once it appears available.
However, it is also possible to install Android 11 manually. To do this, you have to follow the steps indicated in our guide to install an OTA update manually.
This update can be downloaded through the Google developer page, in the “downloads” section for Pixel devices.
The update comes with the September security patch included. Those who update will have the latest platform security improvements beyond the news regarding security and privacy that the latest version of the operating system introduces.
But this time, the Pixels are not alone: some phones from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Realme also receive the update from today.
In the case of OnePlus, the 8 and 8 Pro are the lucky ones. Starting today, the new version can be installed in North America, Europe, and India.
The other terminals that are updated from today are the Xiaomi Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro, OPPO Find X2, X2 Pro, Reno 3, Reno 3 Pro, and Realme X50 Pro.
All the news of Android 11
Android 11 is not a revolutionary update when it comes to new functions and features. However, it is an update that greatly improves the essential aspects of the operating system to make Android an even more complete and balanced platform.
For this reason, Google has decided to group the improvements into three main categories: people, controls, and privacy. Focusing on each group separately, these are the new features of Android 11 that those who decide to install the new version on their mobiles will find.
Conversation notifications
Now, notifications from messaging apps like WhatsApp will have their section in the notification panel.
This section will appear at the top of the panel so that these warnings will be more important than those of other applications.
Bubble notifications, now for everyone
After several years of work developing this function, notification bubbles are finally available for all messaging apps with Android 11. It does not matter if you are from WhatsApp, Telegram, or Messenger: you can have floating bubbles as notifications from those that access your chats at any time.
Automatic suggestions on the keyboard
If you use Gboard as a keyboard app on your Android mobile, after the arrival of Android 11 to your device, you will be able to enjoy a new and useful function.
Google has decided to implement automatic suggestions on the keyboard, which will appear based on the context of the conversation or what you are typing. To do this, a model based on artificial intelligence and machine learning integrated into the device will be used so that the data is not sent to Google’s servers.
Enhanced voice control
People who use their mobiles through accessibility functions based on voice control will have it much easier with Android 11. Now, the system will understand the context of the screen and help people who use the mobile with the voice to carry out those actions they want to do.
Device controls and multimedia more at hand
Going from the “People” section to the “Controls” section, we find two of the most important new features of Android 11 that are beginning to reach devices from today.
The first is the new digital home device control menu, accessible through a long press on the device’s on / off button.
In this menu, we will find the controls to activate or deactivate the devices of our connected home or carry out other functions.
In addition, the control of music and multimedia content playback has been integrated directly into the quick settings panel of the system so that now it does not take up space in the notification panel.
Through this panel, it is possible to choose between the different audio channels, control playback and even manage different sources of multimedia content playback simultaneously.
Granular and single-use permissions
The new version of Android, new improvement in the management of permissions. With Android 11, Google has taken one of the best functions of the permissions of the previous versions of the system and has decided to adapt it to work with other types of permissions.
In this way, it is now possible to grant one-time permissions to applications that request access to the microphone, camera, or location only once.
In this sense, in addition, if it has been a long time since the last time we used an app, the permissions will be restored, and it will be necessary to grant them again the next time we run the said application.
New easter-egg
Apart from all the above, the new Android 11 easter egg could not be missing.
It was beta number 3 of Android 11 that introduced this Easter egg, which recovers the “Neko Cat” minigame introduced in Android 5.0 Lollipop for the first time, now with a somewhat different format, since virtual cats will now be “hidden” in the new device control menu we talked about earlier.
Wireless Android Auto for everyone
If you have a car compatible with Android Auto, but you still could not enjoy the wireless version of the car platform, you are in luck: with Android 11, all updated mobiles allow you to use Android Auto without cables.
Native screen recording, at last
Now, it is possible to record the screen of our Android devices without the need to install third-party apps. All you need is to display the quick settings panel and touch the new option to record the screen.
Even more new emojis
With Android 11, no less than 117 new emojis are introduced to use on your mobile. It is possible to take a look at the new collection in the video under these lines.
These are the main novelties of Android 11 that are available from today for all owners of a compatible mobile.
Of course, the latest version of the system hides many more secrets that we will discover as the days go by and that we will detail in-depth in a future analysis of Android 11.
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
