Google officially launched the first Android 11 beta

Google officially announced the firs Android 11 beta yesterday. This means the end of the developer preview cycle and the beginning of the beta cycle, which is pre-requisite software before the stable launch. Usually, Google has a big unveiling event to announce something like that. However, the COVID-19 situation is changing in the tech industry just like it is changing the whole world. Instead of delaying it, Google decided to go for an online-only event instead, but then those plans were also squashed by the ongoing protests of the black community to the death of George.

Now, Google simply launched the Android 11 beta along with some informational videos and content. The company says that this will allow people to consume at your own pace when the time is right for you. It's not as glorious as having a big Google event, but it is the best Company could come in amid several bad conditions.

So, what's new in Android 11?

So far, there doesn't appear to be too much difference between the previous Android 11 DP4 and today's Android 11 beta. We are currently getting the beta installed on our own devices and will be able to investigate any new features and goodies Google may have introduced. For now, though, all we have to go on is Google's announcement, and there's nothing there that we haven't already seen.

You can check out our running roundup of the newest Android 11 features on the way, but the biggest changes will be easier access to conversation notifications, enhanced user privacy and security options, and better control over the other devices you usually connect to your phone.

Now, the bad news is you can't install it on your non-pixel device yet. Unfortunately, the new Android 11 beta isn't yet compatible with any other device than Google Pixel. The new beta will work on the most recent pixel device only. This is a major shift from the tradition where we see dozens of other phones offer beta support for Android beta versions.