Google rolls out updates of its Android operating system to help improve the performance, fix bugs, and enhance user experience. The more Android phone user behavior continues to change, the more Google has to pace up to meet the demands. In addition, Android application development teams have to prepare for the new changes in the operating system. Companies will need to work on their apps so that they remain compatible and work seamlessly with the new version of the operating system.
In February 2019 Google launched its first preview for Android 11 preview indicating that the release of the Android 11 is on the pipeline. Developers who may want to begin working out projects on apps and services that work for the next Android may check out the Android 11 preview. Google, however, won’t announce many of the Android 11’s consumer-facing features until the Google I/O 2020 schedule to be held in May. Essentially, the first developer previews mainly to serve as an introductory for developers to the new APIs such as APIs around the 5G network and the permissions. Having said that, there are new features that make the new Android OS version an exciting product for every user. For example – the one-time permission feature that is going to be available for applications needing to access things such as location once. When a user grants permission or access to a location once, then thereafter, it will be rescinded.
Another thing is that Android 11 gets more modules. When you look at Android 10, you find that Google made Android components to be updatable via Google Play something that allows the company to be able to update parts of the Android operating system without the need to release full updates for Android. This is a trend that is seen to continue with the new version of the Android operating system where 12 new modules have been added making the total to be 20 modules.
What’s more, Google is going to support what it calls digital driver licenses. The Android 11 operating system will have support when it comes to secure storage as well as retrieving of Verifiable Identification Documents like the Mobile Driving Licenses that are ISO 18013-5 compliant. While not a major feature, you find that the new Android 11 has better call screening services as well as camera improvements to the likes of the bokeh modes.
The highlights for the first developer preview of Android 11 are:
- 5G experiences
- Neural Networks API 1.3
- People and conversations improvements
- Security and privacy features
- App compatibility
- Google Play System updates
- Connectivity
- Low latency tweaks
- Image and camera improvements
If your organization wants to plan and prepare for the release of the new Android version, it needs to upgrade its ups. Since developers have access to the preview version, they are able to test whether your app can work with the operating system. You can hire Android developer teams to help you with app upgrades or the development of new apps that work with Android 11.
The Earliest of Developer Previews
Google has been releasing developer previews for its new Android version within the first quarter in the past five years; however, 2019 saw the earliest release of those developer previews. In 2018, versions like Android N, Android Oreo, Android Pie, and Android 10 or Q appeared for preview in March. The previews that can be downloaded at developer.android.com includes a preview SDK designed for developers having system images for Pixel 2XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3XL, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4 in addition to the official Android Emulator.
Also, in 2018, Google utilized the Android Beta Program that allows you to have early builds of Android through over-the-air updates within select devices, however, in 2019, Google did not make the first preview appear in as a beta. Developers would have to manually flash their device. What this meant is that Android 11 was not ready for adoption early adopters and only developers would have access to it.
Features for Android 11 Developer Preview 1
The aim of having the first preview for developers of Android 11 is to allow early adopters as well as developers to be able to play around with the new build and explore the features. The developers can test for compatibility, explore APIs for apps, and provide feedback before having more details shared at the I/O 2020.
If you want to have a more detailed analysis of the developer preview 1 for the Android 11 version, the features are many. There is the bandwidth estimator API whereby Google has updated the API to align with 5G networks something that would make it easy for a user to check upstream and downstream bandwidth and they don’t need to poll the network. They don’t even need to compute their own estimate.
The dynamic meteredness API allows users to check whether the internet connection is unmetered. In the event that it is, it offers higher resolution or even content quality that could take up more data. In this case, the API includes cellular networks to help identify the users who are served by carriers that provide truly unmetered data. You may not realize it but many cellular networks try to meter their data when connecting to the 5G network.
The pinhole and waterfall screen feature is meant to allow apps to manage pinhole screens as well as waterfall screens with the use of the prevailing display cutout APIs. A user may have a new API to allow them to use the all waterfall screen including edges along with insets so as to help in managing interaction near the edges. Moreover, Google has tried to expand the controls and operations for running computationally intensive operations (CIOs) for Machine Learning within Android devices. This update is included in the Neural Networks API (NNAPI) 1.3.
The Bubble feature keeps conversations within accessibility and view while a user is multi-tasking on their phone. For the chap apps and messaging, they should make use of the Bubble API for notifications in order to enable the feature on Android 11.
One time permissions intended for the most sensitive data types is another feature seen in Android 11 preview 1 for developers. One-time permissions are not just for location, it also used for device microphone as well as the camera. It is now possible or the user to grant temporary access via one-time permission. The permission implies that the apps are able to gain access to the data until the phone user moves away from that app whereby they have to request permission again to have another access.
Any reputable Android developer in India understands how these changes work and is able to transition them into your business. The developer can build new apps for you that work with the new operating system or they recreate the existing apps of your business to work along with the OS.
The Android modularization has continued to feature in Android 11. Previously, Android 10 focused on Project Mainline also referred to as Google System Updates where it spent a substantial amount of money from its engineering budget. The Project Mainline moved many systems components into updatable APKs or into a newer, more potent file format known as APEX. With APEX file format, it is custom-designed to allow accessibility early within the boot process and to allow more permissions compared to APK. This makes the format ideal for not only housing but also updating components with the lower-level system.
Another feature is the low latency video decoding using MediaCodec. When using your device, you need to consider the low latency video aspect that is important for real-time video content streaming apps as well as services such as Stadia. With video codecs supporting low latency video playbacks, they return the initial or first frame of the content stream soonest possible after the start of the decoding process. Users can use apps to check for new APIs that check as well as configure the low-latency playback to work for a specific codec.
Conclusion
In essence, Android 11 comprises more modules and it allows users to be able to have enhanced functionalities. One of the aspects that the operating system looks at is the data usage within unmetered connections where it can alter the quality of the content being streamed so that you cut back on data usage. The features are impressive and probably developers need to see if they are functioning properly and allow for compatibility. The developer preview releases are crucial for many operating systems since developers are able to play around with the apps to see if there are bugs that need to fixed or not. Also, developers can begin developing apps that work with the new versions to release them on the market. Developers also have an opportunity to upgrade previous apps they had released into the market so that they seamlessly work with Android 11.
For businesses and brands preparing for the release of Android 11, they have to start preparing for the transition which may require some software and apps upgrades. Working with an Android application developers team allows a business to update their apps so that when the Android new version is released, there is smooth transition and flow. Businesses don’t have to be inconvenienced due to apps that are not compatible because they have taken a proactive measure to prepare adequately for the change.
