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Google has launched desktop windowing for Pixel tablets with the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 update.
This feature is currently available as Window Preview before its final release to the Android Open Source Project.
Desktop windowing is now available in developer preview for Android tablets!
Learn how to optimize your apps to support adaptive layouts, robust multitasking, and adaptive inputs.
Read the blog → https://t.co/3GrONXTY9I pic.twitter.com/IQf99sREnX
— Android Developers (@AndroidDev) September 12, 2024
Announced on September 12 via its Android developer website, Google said this feature would allow users to run multiple apps simultaneously in resizable windows to improve multitasking on Android tablets.
The update includes a fixed taskbar that displays running apps, along with the option to pin frequently used ones. There is also a new header bar at the top of each window that provides controls for resizing or closing apps.
How to Activate the Desktop Window on Pixel Tablet
Users can turn on the Desktop Windows feature on their Pixel tablet by “holding down the window handle at the middle of the screen and dragging it within the UI.”
Once activated, a “window handle” appears at the top of the screen, allowing users to switch between full-screen, split-screen, and windowed modes by tapping or dragging the handle. Future apps will automatically open in desktop windows, providing a consistent multitasking experience.
Keyboard shortcuts, such as Windows, Command, or Search + Ctrl + Down, offer additional control when using a physical keyboard. Users can return apps to full screen by dragging the window to the top or using the meta + H shortcut.
Developers who do not have access to a Pixel tablet can also access the feature through the Pixel Tablet Emulator in Android Studio.
The introduction of desktop windowing marks a significant change in how Android handles multitasking on tablets, bringing it closer to a traditional desktop experience.
