What is Android 12L? Big changes for tablets and foldables revealed

Google has announced a new version of Android 12. The forthcoming Android 12L update is designed to be better suited to larger displays like tablets and foldables.

Hot on the heels of the Android 12 release for Pixel devices last week, Google is describing Android 12L every bit a new set of features optimised for bigger screens.

It comes hot on the heels of rumours of an Android 12.1 update and is sure to fuel more speculation virtually a Pixel Fold. Here's what Google is promising when Android 12L comes early adjacent year.

Android 12L notifications shade

The revised OS will accept advantage of the additional real estate with a two-column notifications screen (see above) that separates out the quick settings. The Lock Screen adopts a similar UI shift.

Google says the differing designs, revealed at the ongoing Android Developers Summit 2021, will automatically kick in when running on a device with a display that's greater than 600dp wide.

"In 12L we've refined the UI to make Android more beautiful and easier to utilize on screens larger than 600dp — across notifications, quick settings, lockscreen, overview, home screen, and more," Google says on the Android 12L developer folio.

Android 12L multitasking

Elsewhere, Google is also revealing a feature that'll brand it easier to open apps in dual-screen mode. The new multitasking characteristic comes courtesy of a Windows-like taskbar at the foot of the display, enabling users to just drag a 2d app into the fray. Within Android 12L all apps will be available in dual-screen mode.

Google adds: "Running apps in split up-screen mode is a popular style of multitasking, and in 12L nosotros've made carve up screen easier than always to discover and use. Users can now drag and drop their favourite apps into split screen directly from the taskbar, or they can also use a new "Separate" activeness in the overview to first split up-screen way with a tap."

Android 12L compatibility experience

The company is also promising an improved compatibility experience that'll ensure portrait apps expect a niggling nicer on those wider foldable displays. Yous can meet the slightly curved edges in letterbox way below, for example.

Android 12L release appointment

Android 12L is scheduled for release in early 2022, just it'south already bachelor every bit an emulator to developers, enabling app makers to get their wares set up.

The company besides confirmed the Samsung Milky way Z Fold 3 will be in line for the update (via 9to5Google). Google also says the thought is to have Android 12L fix for the "next moving ridge of Android 12 tablets and foldables." Could a Pixel Fold be amongst them?