Android 11 beta accidentally pushed to some Google Pixel owners, new features leaked

Editorial Director of News and Content

| June 1, 2020

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Today Google released a new update for its Pixel phones that included several new features. But some folks got something different and even more interesting.

Some Pixel device owners today got a beta version of Android 11 pushed to their phone instead of the regular June update. As noted by XDA's Mishaal Rahman, the update is build RPB1.200504.018 and is referred to as Android R.

"This update will install a beta version of Android R (RPB1.200504.018) on your device," the update explains. "This pre-release version may contain errors and defects that can affect normal functioning of your device."

Here is a screenshot a tipster sent me. pic.twitter.com/y2i3qBNp9o

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) June 1, 2020

This Android 11 beta release includes several new features that haven't been announced by Google yet. For example, there are three new icon shapes, including one shaped like a stop sign and another shaped sort of like a ridged tube.

Screenshots of these 3 icon shapes pic.twitter.com/lU4kDkOZcV

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) June 1, 2020

There are also options for app suggestions on your home screen. When enabled, the bottom row of apps on your home screen will include app suggestions based on your recently used apps, most used apps, and routines.

Android 11 beta home screen app suggestions

Another new feature of this Android 11 beta is called "media resumption". When toggled on in the Developer Options, it'll persistently show your media player controls in Quick Settings.

Android 11 beta media player Quick Settings

Additionally, there's a Power Menu section in the Settings app that'll let you toggle on controls for your smart home devices, just like the leak that we saw earlier today.

Here's the animation that plays on that page pic.twitter.com/hCmS8ShaO1

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) June 1, 2020

Google was planning on launching the first Android 11 beta update this week but it decided to postpone both the event and release due to the ongoing protests in the US, with Google saying that "now is not the time to celebrate." That could explain why some Pixel owners accidentally got this Android 11 beta release.

There's no word yet on when Google will officially release the first Android 11 beta, with the company only saying that it'll "be back with more on Android 11, soon."