Google announces Android 12L for foldable smartphones and tablets

After Android 12, here is Android 12L. Google announced this “new” operating system for its Android Dev Summit 2021. This version will focus on foldable smartphones, tablets and even products running on Chrome OS (Chromebook).

Android 12L announced for devices with large screens

As we can imagine from the devices concerned, the L of Android 12L means “large”. But what does this version offer? Google explains that it is a “Influx of special features that make Android 12 even better on big screens.” This means the group has made some changes to the user interface, multitasking, and app support.

Google doesn’t show much yet, but the screenshot below gives you a first idea. Here we can see that there are two columns, with controls on one side and notifications on the other. It will also work on the lock screen and other system surfaces, likely in the settings area.

In addition, Android 12L adds a taskbar at the bottom of the screen where you will find shortcuts for favorite applications that will allow you to easily switch between them or open them in split screen. You will also be able to drag and drop applications from the taskbar to open split screen mode. The operation can recall what Apple offers on its iPad with iPadOS. Google also requires apps to be able to function in this scenario, even if they are not currently configured to be resized.

Availability for all at the start of 2022

Android 12L is now entitled to a developer preview that you can use in Google’s Android emulator. This will give an idea of ​​what the operating system is and allow functionality to be tested,

We will have to wait until December to be eligible for the first beta. There are three betas in total before the launch of the final version for the first quarter of 2022.

Note that Google will technically allow the new version to be installed on “classic” smartphones. But the interest will be more than limited knowing that several features are linked to a foldable screen, or at least a larger screen (as for tablets).