As expected, the search giant is rolling out Android 11 Developer Preview 2 consisting of several new APIs and fixes. Google rolls out support for call screening, Neural Networks, and refined hinge angle detection support. The interested users can download the Android 11 Developer Preview 2 from the source below. The search giant will be rolling out the OTA update in the next few hours to compatible devices. However, the Developer Preview 2 is freely available for testing on Pixel 2, Pixel 2XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a Xl, Pixel 4, and Pixel 4 XL.
Must See: List of all the Android 11 exciting features!
Various new APIs are introduced in the new build of Android 11 Developer Preview. Google is emphasizing on to bring improved 5G support with a new 5G state API. Moreover, privacy and security concerns are well addressed with the presence of new functions. It also features some image and camera improvements along with the connectivity and Google Play System updates. Let’s hop into the detailed assessment of the Android 11 DP2 features:
Android 11 DP2 Changes
As addressed by the Google blog, there are several new changes concerning the security, performance, and accessibility of the system.
Enriching Experience
5G State API – It will help the apps to quickly reclaim whether the user is using 5G New Radio or Non-Standalone network. It will help the users to grasp the enhanced speeds and latency of 5G networks.
Improved Call Screening – A new API on Android 11 Developer Preview 2 will help the system to filter robocalls more efficiently and effectively. It also brings additional options to customize post-call screen and add spam or add to contacts buttons. More complex settings will be part of the upcoming Developer Previews.
Hinge angle for foldable – It is focused to enhance the adaptive experience of foldable devices. The new API can work with a hinge angle sensor to precisely know the angle of device screen surfaces. It is will be quite useful for foldable devices.
Hard-Swish Op, Control ops (New Neural Networks APIs) – In order to reduce the learning time and enhanced accuracy across Google AI, the search giant has added hard0swish op. It will improve the training time by adding new and efficient algorithms. Moreover, the Controls ops bring improved machine learning models supporting branching and loops.
Advanced Security and Privacy
Data Privacy is an important aspect these days in the modern world. Here are some security and privacy refinements in the newer iteration of Android 11 Developer Preview.
Foreground Service Types for Camera and microphone – It adds another access lock before getting to the camera and microphone data of the device, The users need to add the foregroundService Type value to the manifest if the apps are bound to specific use-cases.
Scoped Storage updates – The new build allows users to transfer data from the legacy model to Scoped Storage. It also improves cached file management. The subsequent updates will further enhance the scoped storage concept.
Visual Changes
These changes affect normal users the most as they can feel these changes. Let’s start one-by-one about these changes:
Synchronized IME transitions – A set of new APIs will allow the users to experience natural, intuitive and lag-free transition while interacting with the soft keyboard. New APIs such as insets animation lister and WindowInsetsAnimationController API are part of the new transitions.
Variable refresh rate – A set of new APIs allow the games and apps to set the preferred frame rate for the display. Since last year, some smartphones received support for multiple refresh rates like 90Hz and 60Hz. The new APIs will help the smartphones adapt according to the value set for different Apps and Games.
Resume on Reboot – Unlike the Android 10 or other versions until now that only gives access to apps upon successful unlocking after reboot, the Android 11 gives access to access Credential Encrypted storage even before unlocking.
Camera Support in Emulator – The support for the camera is finally added to the emulator. It will be quite users for all the camera and photo/video editing apps. Developers can test any camera-based feature on an Emulator present in Android 11.
However, the search giant appears to be in a hurry this time, as they are continuously asking the developers to make the necessary changes. Google is consistently working to make the Android update easier for developers. It is advised for the developers to update the Android Studio environment with the Android 11 PReview SDK for better testing.
The users can install the Android 11 DP 2 on Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL, Pixel 3A, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. The build can also be installed on Project Treble supported devices like Poco F1.
Related: How to install Android 11 Developer Preview on Pixel 4, 3, 3a and 2?
