TL;DR
- Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 has added desktop windowing to the Pixel Pill, getting ready for an eventual rollout to the Android platform sooner or later.
- Desktop windowing permits customers to run a number of apps concurrently and resize app home windows, identical to on standard desktops.
- That is presently out there as a developer choice for builders to check their app with this new consumer expertise format.
Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 is now out there for supported Pixel units. It brings one large change to the Android platform: desktop windowing. We’ve talked about this earlier than, however now Google is formally introducing desktop windowing to Android tablets and advising builders on the perfect practices for his or her apps to adapt to this new UX.
Google’s weblog put up doesn’t give attention to when desktop windowing will roll out to the Android platform. Nonetheless, it formally proclaims that freeform windowing is being enhanced for pill customers. Android pill lovers will now have the ability to run a number of apps concurrently and resize home windows on the fly, bringing the freeform window implementation to par with options like Samsung Dex.
As talked about, desktop windowing permits customers to run a number of apps concurrently and resize app home windows, identical to we’re used to doing on standard desktops. Google has fastened the taskbar’s place to the underside of the display screen, and it may present operating apps and apps pinned by the consumer. There’s additionally a brand new header bar now, which homes window controls.
Invoking desktop windowing on Android tablets might be simple. All apps will open in full-screen mode by default, however you’ll be able to press and maintain the window deal with/tablet within the standing bar and drag it anyplace to come out the UI into its personal window. As soon as an app is windowed and you might be in desktop house, all future apps might be launched as desktop home windows till you exit all desktop home windows.
There are different alternate methods to invoke desktop windowing, too:
- Invoke it from the menu beneath the window deal with while you faucet/click on on it.
- Invoke it utilizing a keyboard shortcut: (Home windows/Command/Search) button + Ctrl + Down.
You’ll be able to exit desktop windowing by individually closing all home windows or dragging the window deal with again to the highest of the display screen. It’s also possible to use the keyboard shortcut: (Home windows/Command/Search) button + H to run apps as full display screen once more.
The remainder of Google’s weblog put up describes some advisable practices for app builders to adapt their apps to this new consumer expertise. Builders ought to use adaptive layouts of their apps and look to assist multitasking options like drag-and-drop to share content material between apps. They need to additionally contemplate whether or not they need to assist launching a number of app cases, similar to for browsers.
Desktop windowing is on the market on the Pixel Pill operating Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 earlier than it’s launched to AOSP extra broadly (possible with Android 16). You have to to pick the choice in Settings > Developer choices > Allow freeform home windows.
Have you ever tried out desktop windowing on the Pixel Pill on Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 but? If that’s the case, how was your expertise? Tell us within the feedback beneath!