The Android Developer Summit 2021, Google’s conference for developers, was held yesterday. One of the most relevant announcements of the event was Android L, the new version of Android for tablets, foldable, and Chromebooks.
Google says that Android 12L will make its operating system work better and more adapted to this type of device, focusing mainly on taking advantage of space, something that has been wasted for years in large-format Android devices.
Android will finally be adapted to tablets and foldable devices
According to Google, there are currently more than 250 million active Android-based devices with “large” screens, including tablets, foldable devices, and Chromebooks. Just 10 years ago, Google introduced Honeycomb, its version of Android for tablets.
Since that version, which ended up not being extended, we have not had any type of optimization in Android for tablets, beyond those made by the manufacturers themselves with their customization layers. Finally, Google will optimize its system for these devices, focusing mainly on adapting the interface to their size.
With Android 12L, the system menus, notification panel, quick settings, lock screen, home screen, and more will be adapted. The notifications and the quick settings bar will be displayed in a two-column layout, to make better use of space.
There will also be great news for foldable, so that the native apps themselves can adapt their interface in two grids, taking full advantage of the screen space, instead of filling the entire diagonal with the app itself.
When Android 12L will arrive
Android 12L is already available in its Developer Preview phase, via emulator, with its new SDK. It will officially arrive in early 2022, with this version coming to tablets, Chromebooks, and foldable devices.
As usual in Android, manufacturers will have to help in the process, adapting specific elements of its UI to the new Android 12L sizes.
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