Google released the first Android 11 Developer Preview back in February, giving advanced users and developers a glimpse into the next major version of the operating system. The update brings a host of privacy-focused features, the Scoped Storage feature that was removed from Android 10, new APIs for displays with different types of notches, and other notification improvements. However, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the search giant pushed the beta release slightly, which arrived on June 10.
Now, the company may have inadvertently confirmed the date for the general availability of the OS update. The firm held its ‘Hey Google Smart Home Summit’ yesterday, and in a presentation providing a checklist for vendors was a headline that read “Checklist for September 8th Android 11 launch” (via 9to5Google). The slide provided more information on the smart home controls integration within Android 11’s power menu, letting users easily access and interact with the various smart home devices connected to Google Home.
As spotted earlier, the presentation confirms the power menu redesign that lets users access devices linked to the Google Assistant right from the menu. Users that want to access deeper controls can jump to the home app right from this menu. Additionally, the company says that every device must be authenticated before being able to use them in the menu, making it a secure experience.
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In addition to these quick-access settings, Android 11 will also bring other features and enhancements such as dark mode scheduling, message bubbles, improved privacy features and permissions, and much more.
The September 8 date aligns with Android 10’s launch timelines, suggesting that there may not be any delays due to the pandemic. The first devices to receive the OS update will be the company’s own Pixel phones.
Update: Looks like Google has taken down the video containing the slide that suggested Android 11"s release date. It is not clear if the company will re-upload an edited version of the presentation without the release date mention.