At the Huawei Developer Conference 2020, the company unveiled EMUI 11, the latest version of its mobile software. It also announced the launch of beta testing for several smartphone models.
These builds are reportedly based on Android 10, not Android 11 as expected. The company later provided additional clarifications on this matter. The Chinese giant first confirmed that some Android 11 features will be included in EMUI 11. This means that the final version of EMUI 11 will likely remain based on Android 10, just like the beta releases.
Due to the US ban, Huawei has been unable to partner with Google to develop its new software based on the latest version of Android. In a second statement, the company announced that devices running EMUI 11, which the company claims are based on distributed technology, could be upgraded to HarmonyOS in the future. However, this statement does not mention specific models that may be updated. We do not know if the HarmonyOS update will be forced or optional.
EMUI 11 features
EMUI 11 is built on three pillars: privacy, security and user experience enhancement. The developers have updated the Always On Display feature with new themes and settings, redesigned the interface that is now focused on the center of the screen, improved sound, design and added natural gestures.
One of the most notable changes in EMUI 11 is the multi-window and split-screen feature. The application’s pop-up window was named Smart Multi Window and can be opened or minimized at the right time (active applications are shown in the side menu), and a special gesture has also appeared that allows you to launch the function. The window itself has an arbitrary shape, and the user can adjust its size.
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For some, the app permission feature has become a welcome feature. Now the application in the background does not have access to the camera or microphone. Only if it works. Safety is paramount here. App permissions are issued in the same way as in stock Android, you can set them for all cases or only when the application is running. The system also monitors the work of utilities in the background and notifies if they are using any rights. In the settings, it is possible to monitor the access of the applications.
Another addition – when sending a photo to other devices, the system will delete the EXIF information automatically from the file. The other person will not be able to see the time and place stamps, or other information about the photo. The gallery now has the ability to open individual albums and expanded the number of AI algorithms for organizing images into folders. Changes have also taken place in notes, where you can now add passwords to individual entries, hide them if necessary.
Huawei EMUI 11 is coming to more than 50 devices
Dr. Wang Chenglu introduces EMUI 11 with a refreshed look and features that put you at the heart of the digital experience. #HDC2020 pic.twitter.com/318B1bCsf9
— Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) September 10, 2020
Voice assistant Ceila, now understands 7 different languages, and it will also be adapted for more. They also expanded the geography of MeeTime calls. At the moment, Huawei has not announced a specific release date for the stable EMUI 11. The only thing that can be said with a high degree of confidence is that the flagships of the Huawei Mate 40 family will be the first to receive the new version of the user interface.
EMUI 11 beta testing is up for 10 device models: Huawei P40 / P40 Pro / P40 Pro+, Mate 30 (LTE / 5G) / Mate 30 Pro (LTE / 5G) / Mate 30 RS Porsche Design, MatePad Pro (LTE / 5G) ). Subsequently, this list will expand. And the new version of the user interface will come to more than 50 devices of the company.
