
Google is claimed to be growing a brand new desktop expertise for its Android telephones. As per a brand new report, the most recent Android 16 beta replace provides a brand new developer choice, dubbed “Allow desktop expertise options”, that brings the acquainted Android taskbar, the three-button navigation entry, and different choices when a Pixel operating the aforementioned beta is linked to a laptop computer. The corporate is imagined to be engaged on a extra desktop-oriented expertise for its telephones and tablets in a bid to maintain up with opponents akin to Samsung, which presents DeX — quick for “Desktop eXperience”.
Desktop Expertise with Android 16
Based on an Android Authority report, the brand new addition was found within the developer choices of the most recent Android 16 Beta 4 replace operating on the Google Pixel 8 Professional. It’s acknowledged to “allow desktop windowing on secondary shows”. Though the performance is not formally out there, the publication managed to activate it. As soon as the Pixel system is linked to an exterior show akin to a laptop computer, the Android taskbar, standing bar, and the three-button navigation menu seems.
Photograph Credit score: Mishaal Rahman/ Android Authority
The taskbar carries pinned apps, akin to Cellphone, Messages, Digital camera, Google Chrome, together with the app drawer. When in desktop mode, it may possibly additionally show current apps, probably delivering improved multitasking capabilities.
The brand new performance makes it potential to launch a number of apps in floating home windows directly, as per the report. And just like the Home windows expertise, customers might also be capable to transfer them round, resize them, or align them to the aspect. Additional, it additionally permits for straightforward switch of content material utilizing drag and drop.
As per the report, the brand new desktop expertise in Android 16 might be a modified model of the desktop windowing characteristic which was launched for the Pixel pill with the discharge of Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 in September final yr. Whereas this particular characteristic solely supported built-in shows, Google could have tweaked it to help telephones linked to exterior screens too, the report speculates.