Google is preparing for the next big Android update that is apparently set to launch on October 4. This major update would bring improvements to foldable phones experience, which likely arrives ahead of the launch of the company’s rumored Pixel Fold smartphone.
According to an XDADevelopers report, the search engine giant’s Android 12 will be one of the biggest update to the Android platforms in years. Furthermore, the report added that additional information about its subsequent Android 12.1 update has also surfaced. This new update would also include enhancements to the foldable phone experience. The next release is Android 12 sc-v2, which XDA calls Android 12.1. In the recent Android 12 Developer Preview 2, XDA managed to uncover a hidden “taskbar” feature in the Pixel launcher.
This appears at the bottom of the screen where the navigation bar usually can be found. The UI in question showcases a handful of your frequently used applications and recently used apps as well. This taskbar was being developed for devices with large screens like tablets, which improves multitasking functionality that utilizes the bigger screen real estate. For those unaware, Google is rumored to launch the Pixel Fold later this year.
Keep in mind that this is just a speculation that the company is bringing the new feature specifically for the Pixel Fold. Although, one of the code changes implementing the new taskbar’s tutorial showcases in image of the feature in action. In the image, we can observe two different instanced of Chrome browser being used side by side. This is apparently still in testing and divides the foldable phone in half with a line in the middle for clear distinction.
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