Android 12.1 has been leaked. It is an update that comes after the release of Android 12 and brings improvements aimed at tablets and phones with folding screens. Google is going to be smarter about extra screen space. Here are the five biggest features.
Android 12.1
For some time now, there have been rumors of a new version update coming after the Android 12 release and for Android 13 next year. XDA Developers got our hands on an early version of an update called Android 12.1, and we’re already getting to see a slew of new features related to screen space and how to use that space.
Those who have been following Android news for years may still remember Android 3.0 Honeycomb: the major tablet update that had to optimize the interface for larger screens. This is somewhat similar, but the improvements are also intended for foldable phones that expand the screen space, and we then look at devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 3. We discuss the five most important leaked features.
1. Two panel interface
Android devices that offer extra screen space will soon spread the interface better over the size of the screen. If your phone or tablet swipes down, the quick settings with the different buttons will appear on the left, and the notifications on the right. That makes the display clearer.
Google will display the entire list and search bar in the settings on the left side of the screen, and on the right you can adjust the functions of your device. It makes it easier to choose another menu on the left without having to leave the screen. That two-panel interface is also coming for the lock screen.
2. Taskbar
We’ve known it for some time from Chrome OS and other desktop software, but Android is also getting a taskbar for tablets and foldable phones. You can have up to five apps open at the same time on the taskbar, and you can easily switch between those apps. When you long-press an app, you can drag it left or right to open it on one screen side in split-screen mode. The taskbar is visible when you have an app open, and automatically changes to the classic dock of your most important apps when all apps are closed.
3. Improved split screen
Google makes it more user-friendly to open two apps at the same time on one big screen. There’s now a much clearer, gray indicator between two apps that you’d better drag left and right. The indicator is clearly present, but does not get in the way of the rest of the interface.
Furthermore, Google is also working on the ability to open notifications in split view, which works similar to apps on the taskbar: you long-press a notification and drag it left or right. XDA didn’t get this feature fully working yet.
4. App Pairs
In the code of Android 12.1 there is also a reference to app pairs. These are two apps of your choice that you can open side by side in split view with one press of a shortcut. The feature was previously leaked as part of Android 12, but the feature was absent in the beta versions? Now it becomes clear why, because the app pairs become part of Android 12.1.
5. Recent Apps
Google comes with a small change to the interface for recent apps. From now on, the most recently used app appears on the left, while on the right all other previews of apps can be seen side by side.
More novelties
There is, of course, more to come. Google is going to make the ‘Dynamic Colors’ of its Material You theme open source. That is, all manufacturers and app developers can get started with it, and if they want, they can match the colors in their apps with the background that the user has set.
Since this summer it became known that you can open the Assistant in Android 12 by long-pressing the power button. With Android 12.1 you can determine yourself in the settings how long you have to press. Keep in mind that the screenshots and features we see here are from an early build of Android 12.1. A lot can still change in the final version which can be expected sometime in 2022.
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– Thanks for information from Androidworld.