5 New Android 11 Features We Want Next

Google’s Android 11 update and beta is just around the corner, so we’re already considering what to expect. Or more importantly, what we want to see next. Google released Android 10 in September 2019 after a long beta program that started in March, and they will do the same with Android R (Android 11) here in 2020.

Basically, Android 11 will be announced to the world and released in beta for Pixel phones in March, and we can’t wait for it to arrive. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the Android 11 features we want to see this year, or new controls and changes we think are on the way.

These are features that Google shows but don’t offer with Android 10, options that iPhone users already have, or features that other Android manufacturers like Samsung offer but you can’t get on a Google Pixel or other devices running stock Android.

1. Improved Gestures (and backspacing)

Lately Google seems to change the controls and gestures on Android with every new version and it’s getting confusing. With all these large edge-to-edge displays, every major phone from the Pixel 4 to the iPhone 11 uses “gesture controls” instead of on-screen buttons.

With Android 11, we want Google to once again change and improve gesture navigation controls for Android as a whole. They’re not ideal and felt like a last minute change to Android 10 in 2019. Even today, I hate opening the app tray or multitasking on my Pixel 4, and the “back” gesture is even worse. In Android 10, you swipe in from the left edge from anywhere on the screen to go back, and with Android 11, I hope Google finds a way to improve this, or at least allow users to select and customize back gesture controls.

Nobody wants to see Google change their navigation controls once again, but there has to be a better way than the current system.

2. A Real AirDrop Alternative (Quick Share)

To be honest, some kind of easy and fast universal sharing system on Android is long, long overdue. A tool that allows users to easily share photos, videos, files and more in seconds via Bluetooth or WiFi. If you ask any iPhone/Mac user what their favorite feature is, one of the best answers is always AirDrop.

We saw Google last year Working hard on something known as Quick Share – It’s an AirDrop type feature – and it was supposed to come with Android 10, but it never did. Then they bypassed that with the Pixel 4 version as well. Therefore, the next logical step is to hopefully introduce this great feature with Android 11. This will replace Android Beam, which no one actually uses, and will be better than any NFC sharing tool or app currently available.

In fact, the XDA developers have not only uncovered the progress in this fast sharing technology, they are now saying that Google is working hard on it and they will apparently be looking for it. Nearby Sharing when he arrives.

Google, please give us Quick Share or Nearby Share on Android 11.

3. Dark Mode Programs

One of the best new features and aspects of Android 10 is the system-wide dark mode, night mode or dark themes in apps. This extends battery life, reduces eye strain, and is generally something most smartphone users love. Even though Google has finally added Dark Mode to Android 10, it could be better.

With stock Android 10, you can toggle Dark Mode on and off, and that’s about the scope of options. We hope that one of the features of Android 11 is the ability to fully customize and program the dark mode. Other manufacturers like Samsung and OnePlus, and even iOS 13 all have this feature, so it makes sense for Google to add more options and controls for users.

4. Accessibility Controls for Big Screens

Another feature we’d like Google to borrow from iOS is accessibility controls for big-screen devices. Nearly every phone these days is huge like the OnePlus 7T Pro, and Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S20 will likely have a bigger screen than ever before.

We need some kind of system-wide “accessibility” control that makes it easy to use phones with one hand, especially if screens are getting bigger and bigger. Samsung has some useful one-handed control options, and you can even move the keyboard to one side or the other of the phone, but we want Google and all Android manufacturers to expand on that. Give us a way to easily reach the top of the phone without stretching your fingers or using both hands.

Apple has accessibility where you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to have the top half of the screen content scroll down for easy access, and that’s great and we think Android deserves something similar.

5. Built-in Screen Recording

Last but not least, for now, it’s some sort of screen recording option. Leading the release of Android 10, Google actually had this feature. The Android 10 Q developer preview beta included a capable, useful, helpful screen recording option. However, this was removed in the last version currently available.

We need the ability to easily and quickly record everything on our screen, and we need to have options to add audio from the device, similar to most other smartphones and 3rd party apps. It’s a small feature that’s easy to add, and we’ve had it for a while, so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be in the final version of Android 11 this year.

In closing, we’re pretty sure Google will add screen recording, quick sharing, and a few useful user controls in Android 11, so we’re not too worried. Expect the first public beta of Android 11 (or Android R) in early March, followed by more information and a second beta during the annual Google I/O developer event in April or May. Then, as they have done for the past few years, Google will likely release a few betas before inevitably rolling out Android 11 to the world in August or September of 2020.

Then stay tuned for more as we’ll hear more about the next version of Android soon. Either directly from Google or in leaks like last year. As we think about this post, we will update it with more features, leaked Android 11 features or anything else we want our smartphones to have next.

What do you want from Android 11? Let us know in the comment section below.