When Android 11 was launched last year, it included many new features to be tested. Samsung managed to do quite well in updating its devices this time, with the S20 and Note20 series receiving Android 11 in late 2020, and many other phones ahead of schedule. Although Samsung has added several features of its own, Google’s enhancements still shine, and here are the ones you really should use.
Google Home controls
One of my favorite features on Android 11 is the Google Home dashboard integrated with the power menu, providing quick access to smart device controls. I use this all the time with my lighting and Chromecast. And it’s not limited to the Home app – any developer can take advantage of this system.
Since Samsung infamously mapped the power button to Bixby, the implementation of these controls has been changed to One UI. Swipe down on the notifications tab, tap on devices and press SmartThings – a drop-down box will appear listing all supported apps, including Google Home. Except for the change of location, everything works the same as in a Pixel.
It should be noted that this only debuted with the One UI 3.1, which arrived for the first time with the Galaxy S21. Fortunately, older Galaxy devices have already started receiving this update.
Notification Bubbles
Provoked on Android 10, Notification Bubbles finally made it to Android 11. Although Samsung’s pop-up view is more flexible because it works with any application, Bubbles is faster and more convenient for quick access to important notifications. Some applications do not yet support this, unfortunately.
Temporary Permissions
Tighter control over our data has been a growing priority for Google recently, and with Android 11, this extends to app permissions. Instead of a black and white permission or deny approach, we can now grant single access to the location and other permissions. If there is an application that you want to temporarily grant access to the location, but do not want to continue doing it in the background, this is a welcome tool.
Notification History
He left: Notification settings, Quite: Advanced Settings, Right: Notification history
Too often, I mistakenly slipped a notification before I had a chance to read its content. Android 11 adds a history button to the drop-down menu that shows all recent notifications, even if they have been discarded. Although this was included in One UI, Samsung made it more difficult than it should be.
Pull the notifications tab down, press “notification settings”, “advanced settings” and “notification history”. Here you will find everything from the last 24 hours. It’s annoying that it was hidden like that, but it’s still useful when you miss something you wanted to see.
Media controls
The media controls have had some design tweaks in recent years, but the new version found in Android 11 is the most significant. Instead of existing as a notification, it is now part of the quick settings. The downside of this is losing a row of alternators, but it looks better and provides some useful new features. If more than one application has media playback, the controls become paged and can be scrolled, instead of taking up unnecessary space as separate notifications.
Android 11 has made many improvements to the user experience, and these are just a few of the new features to be explored. Samsung’s own features make this experience even better, so be sure to play with them too.