Обзор Google is working on another huge multitasking upgrade for Android tablets

[Обзор]

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority


Over the past few years, Google has made major changes to the Android OS to better accommodate tablets and other large-screen devices. These include new features like a taskbar, desktop windowing, enhanced drag-and-drop support, improved app adaptability, and more. Despite these improvements, most people would agree that Android tablets still have a long way to go before they can replace PCs, largely because of their limited multitasking capabilities.


Thankfully, we know that Google is working to improve Android’s multitasking capabilities. The company is making big changes to the platform in preparation for Android-powered PCs, and these changes will benefit not only future Android PCs but also existing Android tablets. One such change Google has been exploring is the ability to launch any Android app in a floating bubble, taking a niche feature currently reserved for messaging apps and turning it into a powerful, general-purpose multitasking feature.


When we first reported on this “bubble anything” feature a year ago, we were excited by its potential to transform multitasking on Android, especially when combined with the new bubble bar on tablets. This combination of features would allow you to easily multitask with two, three, or more Android apps at once, even on smaller tablets that can’t comfortably fit more than two apps on screen.


Unfortunately, Google never ended up releasing this “bubble anything” feature. We assumed this was because the company had scrapped it, as it often does with features that don’t work out or become redundant. However, we’ve discovered new evidence suggesting Google hasn’t scrapped the feature but has instead tweaked it to better fit in with the existing tablet interface.


You’re reading the Authority Insights Newsletter, a weekly newsletter that reveals some new facet of Android that hasn’t been reported on anywhere else. If you’re looking for the latest scoops, the hottest leaks, and breaking news on Google’s Android operating system and other mobile tech topics, then we’ve got you covered.


Subscribe here to get this post delivered to your email inbox every Saturday.

Android tablets may soon be able to launch any app in a floating bubble


New code within the latest 2510 Android Canary release reveals Google’s plans to add a new way to create a floating bubble: dragging an app’s icon to the bottom corners of the screen. I found new strings within the Pixel Launcher app, which is responsible for both the home screen and the taskbar. These strings suggest that the educational promo appearing when you first interact with the taskbar will add a new tutorial. Here’s what the educational promo currently looks like:

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority


The new tutorial Google’s working on will inform users that they can “drag [an app] to the bottom corners to make it float.” An accompanying animation will show “how to create a bubble from the taskbar using a drag gesture.”


Here are the relevant strings that I found:


Code

Copy Text
<string name="taskbar_edu_bubbles">Drag to the bottom corners to make it float</string>
<string name="taskbar_edu_bubbles_animation_description">Animation showing how to create a bubble from the taskbar using a drag gesture</string>

And here is the accompanying animation. It shows an app being dragged from the taskbar toward the right half of the screen, which previews the split-screen mode. However, instead of releasing the icon to enter split-screen, the animation shows it being dragged to the bottom right corner, launching the app in a smaller bubble window.

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority


(Note: I didn’t include another variant of this animation that shows the same drag gesture with the “transient” taskbar.)


While these new strings and animations don’t explicitly confirm you’ll be able to launch any Android app in a floating bubble, they strongly indicate this capability is coming. Android currently only lets you create bubbles from conversation notifications, a feature limited to supported apps. However, since Android already lets you put any app on your taskbar, it wouldn’t make sense for Google to limit this new drag-to-bubble gesture to just messaging apps. We know Google has been working to make the bubble feature compatible with any app, and we believe the company is leveraging that work for this new gesture.


This approach differs from the previous iteration of the “bubble anything” feature, which required tapping a button on the home screen or in the recents menu. In contrast, the new drag gesture is more aligned with how other multitasking features work on tablets. It starts by dragging an app from the taskbar and ends with dropping it onto a specific part of the screen, similar to how you initiate split-screen mode.


I can’t guarantee that Google will launch this feature, but the addition of a tutorial is a good sign. We doubt Google would create a tutorial for a feature it has no intention of releasing, though plans can always change.


We don’t know when Google plans to launch this feature, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see it in the third quarterly platform release (QPR3) of Android 16 next March. Google has launched major new tablet and multitasking features in quarterly releases before, so the timing would make sense. Be sure to follow Android Authority to find out what happens!


Want more?


Authority Insights is more than a newsletter — it’s the hub for all our best content. If you care about Android, you won’t want to miss any of our other exclusive reports.


Don’t have time to read them all? Subscribe to our Authority Insights Podcast to hear me and my co-host, C. Scott Brown, break down our top stories of the week.


This week’s top Authority Insights

Android’s version of the iPhone’s Contact Posters feature is getting a big upgrade.


Google might finally fix the biggest flaw with Android's Calling Cards

Related



Google Photos is preparing to roll out its annual photo recap and…oh. Oh no.


Google Photos preps for its annual recap, alongside a long-lost navigation feature

Related




This is fine: Google Photos could soon let you turn yourself into a meme

Related



The Tensor G5 may have better Linux support than Snapdragon chips, but it has a worse modem


Google’s Pixel 10 can now run Linux apps better than other Android phones

Related




Qualcomm's new Snapdragon chip misses out on one of Android 16's best features

Related




Bad battery life on your Pixel 10? This might be the reason why

Related



Paper cuts ✅! Google is addressing some big pet peeves with the Gemini app.


Google is working to fix one of Gemini's biggest pet peeves

Related




Gemini Live could soon get this convenient and overdue audio feature

Related




Google Gemini could be about to take this idea right out of Circle to Search's playbook

Related




Google is testing another home for Nano Banana, and we're unsure what took it so long

Related



How the heck didn’t we have these features already?


Google Home wants to make it much easier to add your next new smart home hardware

Related




Google's Android app is finally catching up to the iOS app with one crucial feature

Related




Google could be making it easier to see which apps are a threat

Related




First look: Google's new 'EyeDropper' app will help you pick colors in Android 17

Related




Pixel phones will get a smarter always-on display that saves battery life

Related




The Pixel's Connected Cameras feature is getting an overdue upgrade

Related



Dislike Google but love their Pixel phones? We have good and bad news.


It looks like Google just locked out GrapheneOS users from the Pixel Camera app

Related




The Pixel Camera app now requires Play Services for the silliest of reasons

Related



Other top stories

Is Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset basically the Nexus of Android XR?


Samsung Galaxy XR makes its official and expensive debut

Related




Samsung Galaxy XR hands-on: Just the opening act

Related




Samsung's new XR headset is secretly a Pixel

Related




5 Samsung gadgets you should buy instead of the $1,800 Galaxy XR headset

Related



A bunch of useful new features are coming to Google apps and Pixel phones


Android Auto users are celebrating a subtle but welcome Google Maps change

Related




Google Messages is making it easier to share from your Google Photos library

Related




From flights to events: Google Wallet now supports Android 16's Live Updates

Related




Android now lets you flip your Pixel’s navigation buttons, just like on Samsung Galaxy phones

Related




Android’s new flashlight brightness slider now has a clever design like a real flashlight

Related



Samsung’s biggest Android rivals aren’t playing around.


The Samsung Galaxy S26 dream is already dead (and why you should be mad)

Related




OnePlus reveals OnePlus 15 battery size, and it puts S25 Ultra to shame

Related




The OnePlus 15 is crushing Samsung's 2026 hopes

Related




This new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mid-ranger embarrasses flagships twice its price

Related



Making changes can be hard, but we’re glad we did these ones.


I tested the new ChatGPT browser, and it makes Chrome feel like a dinosaur

Related




It's been 5 months since I left T-Mobile, and I have no regrets

Related




The Pixel Watch 4 has erased all my battery life worries

Related



Google offers some pretty compelling products already, but it could do better.


I wish Google didn't make smartphones

Related




I'd pay more for YouTube Premium if it added these 5 features

Related



Miscellaneous top stories


GM is dropping Android Auto to make way for Gemini

Related




Google promises GPU updates for Pixel 10, but what does it really mean?

Related




Nothing's $10M MagSafe claim is questionable, says group behind Qi2

Related




Kobo made a $30 gadget for people who read burrito'd in blankets

Related




Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.