Google is working on a new “desktop windowing” feature. This feature allows users to resize and arrange apps freely on their screens, making it easier to work on multiple tasks simultaneously.
The feature, currently available as a developer preview, offers a significant upgrade from the current full-screen app display on Android tablets. With this new mode, apps appear in windows with controls for repositioning, maximizing, or closing. A taskbar at the bottom of the screen displays running apps, reminiscent of desktop operating systems.
How It Works
To activate this mode, users can press and hold the window handle at the top of an app’s screen. For those using a keyboard, the shortcut meta key + Ctrl + Down serves the same purpose. Exiting the mode is as simple as closing all active apps or dragging a window to the top of the screen.
Google has considered various scenarios in this implementation. Apps locked to portrait orientation remain resizable, although this might lead to some visual inconsistencies. The tech giant plans to address this in future updates by scaling the UI of non-resizable apps while maintaining their aspect ratio.
Currently, the developer preview is accessible in the latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 for Pixel Tablets. The exact timeline for a wider rollout remains uncertain, as does its potential availability on devices like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
This development brings Android tablets closer to the functionality offered by iPads with the Stage Manager feature and Samsung’s DeX experience.
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