Android 11 Beta (Developer Preview) released for OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Android 11’s first public beta is out now, but it has been exclusive to the Pixel smartphones so far. Well, no more. OnePlus has released the Android 11 Beta ( Developer Preview) for its latest flagship killers – the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. The beta update has been released as part of the Android 11 Developer Preview Program for OnePlus 8 series.

As is clearly evident from the name, this Android 11 beta build for the OnePlus 8 duo is targeted at developers. So, if you have little to no experience with software development or flashing ROMs, you better wait for the public beta to arrive. As expected, there are a few bugs and limitations with this build, such as:

  • Face unlock is unavailable
  • Google Assistant (“OK Google”) does not work
  • Video calling does not work
  • Certain UI screens look less than desirable
  • Some apps may not function as expected
  • System stability issues

Also, T-Mobile and Verizon locked units of the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro are not compatible with this Android 11 developer preview build. With all the warnings and shortcomings having been described, proceed to the official OnePlus community forum announcement page to get the download files on your OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro (NA, IN, and EU version).

The post Android 11 Beta (Developer Preview) released for OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro appeared first on Pocketnow.

Android 11 public beta is coming to Xiaomi’s Mi 10 series and Poco F2 Pro

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Google released Android 11’s first public beta just a day ago, and as expected, it is exclusive to Google’s own smartphones viz. the Pixel 2 and all subsequent devices launched after it, for the time being. Soon after, OPPO confirmed that Android 11 beta is coming to the Find X2 series of flagship phones. And now, Xiaomi and Poco have joined that coveted list as well.

The official MIUI Twitter handle has just announced that Android 11 Beta 1 is coming to the flagship duo of Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro. Moreover, the Poco has also confirmed that its latest flagship killer, the Poco F2 Pro, will also get the latest beta version of Android OS soon. But aside from a vague “coming soon” timeline, we don’t know exactly when the Android 11-based beta build of MIUI will be released for Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro, and the Poco F2 Pro.

Xiaomi usually follows a closed beta testing schedule for new Android builds of its custom MIUI skins, so we expect to hear an announcement soon on the community forum. In the meanwhile, you can read about the new Android 11 features here. And if you own a compatible Pixel smartphone, our step-by-step guide on how to get Android 11 beta on your phone will certainly come in handy.

The post Android 11 public beta is coming to Xiaomi’s Mi 10 series and Poco F2 Pro appeared first on Pocketnow.

How to get Android 11 Beta on your phone?

Posted on by Lee Kelly

The first public beta build of Android 11 has been released by Google. But this is a beta, so it must be a complex process to download and install on your phone? Well, nope. You can get Android 11 beta on your eligible phone with just a few taps. I got it on my Pixel 3 within 5 minutes of registering in the beta program. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get Android 11 beta on your phone, complete with pictures:

Is your phone eligible to get Android 11 beta?

Before we recount how to experience Android 11 beta on your phone, you must first know whether your phone is eligible or not. Well, as per Google, the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and all subsequent Pixel models launched after it can download Android 11 beta. Here’s the complete list:

How to get Android 11 Beta on your phone?

Well, now that you’ve verified whether your Pixel is eligible to get Android 11 beta, here’s how to start:

1. On your Pixel, open a web browser and go to the official Android 11 Beta program website (https://www.google.com/android/beta) to enroll your device.

2. Once there, scroll down until you see the Your Eligible devices option, where your phone will appear in a box alongside the model number. Tap on the blue Opt in button inside it.

3. After you tap on the Opt in button, you’ll see a window where you have to agree to the terms & conditions. Just tick the boxes according to your need, and then hit the Join beta button.

4. On the next page, you’ll see a Device enrolled message. It says that you are now part of the Android beta program and that you’ll get an OTA to download Android 11 beta on your phone soon. Hit the OK button after you’ve read the instruction. The update usually arrives within 24 hours. In my case, I got it in just around 5 minutes.

5. Now, open the Settings app on your phone and go to System > Advanced > System Updates. You’ll find the Android 11 beta update waiting for you to download. Hit the Download and install button.

6. Wait for the installation to finish as your phone restarts and you see the acknowledgment message on the home screen. Congratulations, you’re now running Android 11 beta on your phone.

To know more about the new features that come with the first public beta of Android 11, check our story here.

The post How to get Android 11 Beta on your phone? appeared first on Pocketnow.

Google releases the first public beta of Android 11. What’s new?

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Google has released the first public beta of Android 11. Instead of the planned release during the Android 11 Beta Launch Show that was originally scheduled for June 3, the first beta of Android 11 has been silently released with an announcement on the official Google Developer blog.

Can your phone run Android 11 beta?

Android 11 beta is currently compatible only with the Pixel 2 duo and subsequent models released after it. Here’s the full list of phones on which you can download Android 11’s first public beta build:

Android 11: New Features

Google has broadly classified all the new Android 11 features into three categories – People, controls and privacy. Here’s what they’re all about:

People

  • There is now a dedicated section at the top of the shade where conversation notifications appear. Users will now see conversation specific actions, such as the ability to open a conversation as a bubble, make a conversation shortcut on the home screen, or even set a reminder.
  • Messaging and chat apps are now moving to the Bubbles format in Android 11. Bubbles will let you keep a conversation on the screen while multitasking.
  • Keyboard suggestions will allow Autofill apps to securely offer context-specific entries in the suggestion strip. This is essentially a smart-reply feature.
  • Android 11 brings an on-device visual cortex that allows it to understands screen content and context when someone is using the phone via voice commands. While doing so, a phone running Android 11 will generate labels and access points for accessibility-related commands.

Controls

  • Long press the power button to open the Device Controls tray where you can control all connected devices in one place. Here’s how the controls look:
Device control space in the Android UI
  • There is now a dedicated media control card that shows streams playing locally on the phone, those playing on external devices, and even previous resumable music sessions in the same order that they were originally played. It is also easier to switch on which device the music is playing.
Media Controls.gif

Privacy

  • Android 11 brings a new feature that allows users to give temporary one-time permissions to an app for using the mic, location, camera, etc.
Android 11 screens.gif
  • In case users haven’t used an app in a long time, Android 11 will automatically reset all permissions that the app has been granted.
  • Developers now have until 2021 to make changes that will require an app to get user approval so that it can access their location in the background.

The post Google releases the first public beta of Android 11. What’s new? appeared first on Pocketnow.