Android 12L unveiled for big-screen devices — here’s what’s different

Android 12L unveiled for large-screen devices — here'south what'due south dissimilar

(Epitome credit: Google)

Fresh on the heels of the Pixel 6 madness, Google took the wraps off the next big affair for Android, Android 12L. What many had previously referred to as Android 12.1, the 12L release is focused on big screens. That means tablets and foldables will finally become a UI that scales properly.

This isn't a new version of Android. Google instead calls it "a special characteristic drop that makes Android 12 even better on large screens." Characteristic drops are usually reserved for Pixels with some pieces later coming to the public builds of Android.

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A feature driblet also means that Google is not forking Android into separate phone and tablet builds, every bit Apple tree did last year with iOS and iPadOS. Basically, your Pixel will run Android 12L, but you lot but won't see its big screen features. Instead, those features are meant for displays over 600 dp, or density-independent pixels.

What does Android 12L offering? It comes down to a new UI that meliorate takes advantage of the screen existent estate and boosted multitasking options like multi-window and a taskbar. Basically, think of what Samsung has done with the Galaxy Z Fold 3, only now Google is building in some of those features into Android itself.

android 12l split screen — (Prototype credit: Google)

From the notification shade and Quick Settings to the lock and home screens, Android 12L has refined the whole look and experience while keeping the chief Textile You vibe and tone. And the new multitasking option coincides with the taskbar, where you just drag the app you want onto the screen to split-view it. Every app will support carve up-screen, whereas before information technology was a developer opt-in.

android 12l multitasking gif — (Image credit: Google)

Google hasn't taken big screens seriously in a very long fourth dimension, even dorsum in the days when information technology fabricated tablets. To come across the sudden interest at present is certainly intriguing. After all, rumors leading up to Android 12L suggested that the update would coincide with Google releasing its ain foldable, which is rumored to be called the Pixel Fold. But that could be us grasping at straws. Maybe Google sees the growing popularity of foldables, particularly among other Android device makers, and wants to make sure its partners (notably Samsung) have an easier time of things.

Android 12L is due out early next yr, with Google saying it'll be "in time for the next wave of Android 12 tablets, Chromebooks, and foldables."

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He's written most phones for over 5 years and plans to go on for a long while to come up. He loves zip more than relaxing in his dwelling with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Hashemite kingdom of jordan tends to lurk on social media, only you tin can all-time reach him on Twitter.