Android 11 second developer preview: supports hinge angle detection for foldable phones

On March 19, according to foreign media reports, almost a month after the release of the first developer preview of Android 11, Google released the second version. Android 11 DP2 is a developer preview, not a public beta version, so it does not contain the various Android 11 features that people expect, but this version is also worth discussing, such as support for hinge angle detection of foldable devices.

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The upcoming Microsoft Surface Duo will benefit from new Android features.

The most noteworthy is an API (application programming interface) that allows foldable devices to tell applications what angle its hinge is bent at. In other words, if devices such as Microsoft's upcoming Surface Duo adopt this latest Android system, they are expected to be able to adjust the screen state more easily. Broadly speaking, the ability of Android devices to display different content based on the bending angle of the hinge is becoming a more important feature that should be handled at the system level. Other devices such as Samsung's Z Flip and Galaxy Fold will also benefit.

Google has also added an API to strengthen spam call blocking, which allows applications to report the reason for rejecting calls and can also determine whether the caller number is from the user's address book. It has also added a way for applications to check the status of 5G networks, which is essentially adding a switch on top of the bandwidth estimator. It allows applications to display the 5G icon when they are on a 5G network. I believe that operators will be happy to see this because it will give them another way to promote 5G.

Android 11 will finally handle variable refresh rates at the system level, so developers and manufacturers won't have to roll their own solutions. This is a long-awaited feature in the industry, and given that 90Hz and 120Hz screens are expected to become popular this year, hopefully it won't be too late, otherwise there may be fragmentation issues.

In terms of privacy and security, Android 11 will further restrict access to cameras and microphones. In the new system, their permissions will be similar to location access permissions, and background applications will not be able to call cameras and microphones if they are not providing "foreground services." Android is still restricting access to system storage, and the latest version provides data migration tools for applications.

Although this release is not for consumers, Google still provides developers with an easier installation option: "To simplify the installation process, you can choose today's version from the Android Flash Tool. For those who are already running Developer Preview 1 or 1.1, we also provide an OTA wireless update for today's release." Of course, this system version is only pushed to Pixel phones, including Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL.