Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google is actively growing a “tiny taskbar” for Android telephones, adapting the pill model to enhance multitasking on smaller screens.
- Latest updates fastened a visible bug and added a novel latest apps carousel, displaying continued improvement regardless of no official launch date.
- Nevertheless, the characteristic isn’t prepared, with the brand new carousel being partially useful and format points persisting on sure grid sizes.
Multitasking could be a problem on even the finest Android telephones on account of their restricted display screen actual property, although software program options like split-screen mode and bubbles supply some assist. Tablets, in distinction, profit from a taskbar that considerably eases app switching. We’ve identified for almost a yr that Google is experimenting with bringing this pill taskbar to telephones as effectively. Whereas there’s nonetheless no official phrase on if or when this characteristic may roll out to telephones, a latest tweak we noticed suggests improvement is actively persevering with.
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In the event you’re unfamiliar, the taskbar debuted with Android 12L on large-screen gadgets like tablets and foldables. Positioned on the backside, it offers fast entry to apps and could be set to show both persistently or quickly, permitting customers to decide on their most well-liked mode.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
The taskbar on an Android pill in its “transient” mode.
Google has been working since final yr to adapt the pill taskbar for telephones. Referred to internally because the “tiny taskbar,” it largely mirrors the look and conduct of its pill counterpart, albeit scaled down for smaller telephone screens. Quick ahead to at this time, and there’s nonetheless no indication that Google plans to launch the taskbar for telephones within the upcoming Android 16 replace. Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply the characteristic has been deserted. The truth is, because the “tiny taskbar” initially surfaced, Google has addressed one in every of its largest points and even added a novel functionality not discovered on the pill model.
First, Google fastened a visible bug that prompted a replica navigation deal with to seem when the “tiny taskbar” was enabled. Whereas it’s unclear precisely when this repair occurred, the duplicate deal with is now gone. Extra importantly, Google added a brand new button to the “tiny taskbar” that opens a carousel displaying the six most not too long ago opened apps. This interface is harking back to the Alt + Tab switcher in Android, however with a few key variations particular to the telephone taskbar. For one, it consists of arrows for tapping by way of the carousel. Second, in contrast to the Alt + Tab switcher, it lacks a button or card on the finish to entry the complete overview menu.
Right here’s a brief video that reveals off the brand new latest apps carousel within the “tiny taskbar”:
Apparently, this latest apps carousel is unique to the telephone’s taskbar; it doesn’t seem on tablets. This isn’t essentially shocking, because the pill taskbar already shows the 2 most not too long ago used apps and thus could not want this carousel characteristic. Nevertheless, its phone-only presence suggests Google acknowledges the display screen measurement constraints and is actively exploring methods to adapt extra taskbar performance for smaller shows.
Sadly, it’s clear the telephone taskbar isn’t fairly prepared for launch. The brand new latest apps carousel is just partially useful at the moment – it shows latest apps, however tapping them doesn’t swap to them. Whereas Google might probably launch the taskbar with out this carousel, one other vital difficulty stays: the taskbar will get reduce off when the house display screen grid measurement is ready to five×5. This occurs as a result of the taskbar integrates with the house display screen dock, and there merely isn’t sufficient horizontal house to accommodate 5 apps in that configuration.
If Google manages to repair these excellent points, the “tiny taskbar” guarantees to be a big multitasking improve for telephones. Contemplating the enhancements Google can also be growing for bubbles and split-screen mode, it’s evident the corporate is dedicating substantial effort to enhancing the multitasking expertise on Android telephones. Whereas many customers won’t closely depend on these options at the moment, they could rethink as these options grow to be extra succesful.
Do you continuously multitask in your Android telephone? In that case, which of those adjustments are you most wanting ahead to? Tell us within the feedback beneath!
