Some Pixel users receive Android 11 beta despite delay

Some Pixel smartphone owners have received the Android 11 beta via an ota update. Google was supposed to release the beta on Wednesday, but has postponed it. The beta has a number of innovations and extra features compared to previous previews.

An overview of the changes in the Android 11 beta has been put online by XDA Developers. Google previously released four Developer Previews of the new mobile operating system. The beta includes new icon shapes, a developer option to give the music control panel a prominent place in the notification drawer and a new submenu for setting notification bubbles.

In addition, the Android 11 beta includes a developer option to change MAC addresses every time it connects to a Wi-Fi network. From Android 10, this already happens by default when a connection is made to an unknown network. There is also functionality in the beta that is still being worked on, such as an option to make ‘scrolling screenshots’. The feature is not yet active, but it is referenced visually.

The Android 11 beta has build number RPB1.200504.018. It is not known how many users have received the beta. Google has not responded to its appearance. This is probably an error, because the maker of the operating system previously announced that the release of the beta has been postponed due to the unrest and protests in the United States against police brutality. It is not yet clear when the beta will be officially released.

Screenshots from XDA Developers