News on Mobile OS Releases, February 2021

Android 

Android 12 Developer Preview 

• The first Android 12 Developer Preview is here and it's the culmination of a year's-long process of making Android more secure, more private, and easier to use. Because it's a Developer Preview and not a public beta, Google is limiting the ways you can install it. You'll need to be adept with the Android SDK and your computer's command line tools if you want to pull off this magic trick, but we're here to walk you through the process.

Full content and details (external sources): AndroidCentral.com

• XDA Developers is filling us in on more details about the next Android OS release including an all-new Auto rotate feature, built-in Gaming Mode and reduced brightness quick setting toggle.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Android 11

Android 11 gives you powerful device controls and easier ways to manage conversations and so much more. Privacy is a big focus with Android 11, with Google introducing one-time permissions and granular control over what sort of data you share.

New smartphones receiving Android 11:

• OnePlus 7 and 7T series get Android 11 with OxygenOS Open Beta 1;
• Sony Xperia 1, Xperia 5 and Xperia 5 II;
• Samsung Galaxy M31 is getting its Android 11 update with One UI 3.0. The company had planned to release the stable version of the software to the smartphone starting March 2021;
• Xiaomi starts rolling out the Android 11 update for Mi Note 10 Lite;
• POCO X2 is getting its Android 11 update with MIUI 12;
• Microsoft Surface Duo will hopefully get Android 11 by mid-2021;
• Samsung brings Android 11 to its Galaxy A51 5G, Galaxy A71 5G, and Galaxy M30s.

Full content and details (external sources): AndroidCentral.com, XDADevelopers

Apple iOS 

Apple releases first public betas of iOS 14.5

• The iOS 14.5 update includes the groundwork for Apple’s new App Tracking Transparency privacy feature, which requires apps to request permission from users before tracking them across other apps and websites.
• iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 include a major change to the integration between iPhone and Apple Watch. For the first time, you can now use your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone when you’re wearing a face mask.
• notable change for Apple Fitness+ subscribers: support for AirPlay 2.
• Apple’s iOS 14.5 beta enabled users to unlock their iPhones with Face ID with a mask on (provided they are wearing an Apple Watch).
• When users ask Siri to play a track, Siri will now ask you which app you want to play it on. In addition, you can ask Siri to always play queries to a third-party app that you set as the default. This was never possible on iOS before.

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Mac, GSMArena

HarmonyOS 2.0 

On February 22, 2021, during the launch event of Huawei’s new foldable smartphone Mate X2 the company has stated that the Huawei Hongmeng OS mobile version started to upgrade in April this year. 

Eligible HarmonyOS/Hongmeng OS 2.0 Huawei devices list:

• Huawei Mate 40
• Huawei Mate 40 Pro
• Huawei Mate 40 Pro +
• Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design
• Huawei P40
• Huawei P40 Lite
• Huawei P40 Pro
• Huawei P40 Pro +
• Huawei P30
• Huawei P30 Pro
• Huawei P Smart S
• Huawei P Smart 2021

HarmonyOS 2.0 Honor Phones

• Honor V40
• Honor 30 Pro
• Honor 30 Pro +
• Honor V30
• Honor V30 Pro
• Honor Play 4 Pro
• Honor X10 5G
• Honor 30
• Honor 30S

Full content and details (external sources): Huaweiupdate

EMUI11

Here’s some HUAWEI EMUI 11 TOP FEATURES:

• In the latest Emotion UI version – EMUI 11 Multi-Screen Collaboration comes with new changes. The new feature provides users access to multiple apps simultaneously.
• Huawei enhanced the MeeTime feature in EMUI 11 that provides communication between two EMUI based devices. Also, you can now share a real-time screen at the same time.
• The new user interface in EMUI 11 brings AI subtitles to offer real-time translations (Adds Chinese, English, and Korean language.).
• In EMUI 11 you will see Location Kit and mobile-first search engine service.
• Quick reply without interference: instant messages are presented in the form of floating windows, you can quickly view and reply without interrupting the current content.
• Window size is now adjustable: Adjust the size freely, without blocking the main content, so you can watch the video while replying to the message.

Full content and details (external sources): Huaweiupdate

• Huawei Mate 20 X 5G has recently upgraded with the latest EMUI 11 stable version which brings a brand new UI experience. Now based on EMUI 11 the Mate 20 X 5G smartphone users in China are now receiving January 2021 security update with software version EMUI 11.0.0.136.

For more information on January 2021 EMUI Security Patch Latest Updates (external sources): Huaweiupdate