Among the many updates provided as part of Android 11, we've learned that it will likely make controlling smart home devices easier and faster. This was first rumored some time ago, but the feature has now been activated in the latest developer preview of Android 11. It takes the form of a new menu that appears when you long press the power button, a menu full of commands. for compatible smart home devices. You can see what it looks like in the images below, shared by Phone Arena. Smart home switches appear below contactless payment options, which can already be activated with a long press, and images show you can turn lights on or off and adjust brightness.
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(Image credit: Phone Arena) But this is just the beginning. A slightly earlier leak from Mishaal Rahman (XDA Developers Editor-in-Chief), shared before Google fully activated the feature, shows that it also lets you control smart locks, shades, thermostats and security cameras and even showcases a mini power supply from a security camera directly on this screen. Basically, it seeks to give you complete control of your smart home, all in one place. It's not a new idea: there are already apps that aim to do this, but you can't launch them by long pressing the power button, so if there's a wide range of compatible smart home devices, this might be much more practical. While this feature looks promising, most of us will have to wait a while to take advantage of it, as Android 11 isn't expected to land in its full and complete form until September; And even then, it could be several months before most non-Pixel phones update with it. Still, that's something to expect if you want to easily control your smart home.