Android 12L Announced for Tablets, ChromeOS Devices, Foldable Phones: Brings New Taskbar, More Features
Android 12L has been introduced by Google, purpose-built for giant screens. The brand new UI is extra refined and brings tweaks throughout components similar to notifications, fast settings, lock display screen, overview, dwelling display screen, and extra. As an example, on show display screen sizes above 600dp, the notification shade, lock display screen, and different system surfaces use a brand new two-column structure to make the most of the display screen’s further actual property. These two column layouts present extra info and are straightforward to make use of. System apps are additionally optimised for Android tablets, foldables, and ChromeOS units.
In a brand new weblog put up on October 27, Google introduced the launch of Android 12L for giant display screen units. Will probably be launched early subsequent yr, and the tech large is working with OEM companions to convey the brand new replace. Google confirms that the Android 12L developer preview will first arrive on Lenovo Tab P12 Professional. Whereas the tech large at the moment focusses on tablets, foldables, and ChromeOS units, it later plans to open up Android Beta enrolments for Pixel units as effectively.
The brand new Android 12L will make the most of the additional area to supply new UI experiences when in comparison with common smartphones. Other than the two-column structure in notifications and lock display screen, Android 12L additionally brings a brand new taskbar that lets customers immediately swap to favorite apps. This taskbar additionally makes split-screen mode extra discoverable. With Android 12L, customers can simply drag-and-drop from the taskbar to run an app in split-screen mode. Google provides, “To make split-screen mode a greater expertise in Android 12 and later, we’re serving to customers by mechanically enabling all apps to enter break up display screen mode, regardless whether or not the apps are resizable.”
Android 12L for tablets, foldables, and ChromeOS units additionally improves upon compatibility mode to supply a greater letterboxing expertise for customers and assist apps look higher by default. For producers, Android 12L affords customisable letterboxing to allow choices for letterbox colors or remedies, regulate the place of the inset window, apply customized rounded corners, and extra.
Together with the massive display screen options, Android 12L is alleged to additionally embody a handful of recent APIs for builders, together with a brand new API stage. Google stated, “We have been cautious to not introduce any breaking adjustments on your apps, so we can’t require apps to focus on 12L to satisfy Google Play necessities.”
Google is asking builders to construct apps of the long run preserving a number of display screen sizes in thoughts. A brand new API additionally makes apps fold and hinge-aware. The tech large says that it’ll warn customers about apps in Google Play retailer that are not optimised for giant screens.
