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Looking to the future: Google introduced Android’s “Desktop Mode” in 2019 with Android 10. But it was designed almost exclusively for developers. More recently, the company has added controls and improved functionality. This could mean the arrival of a more user-friendly desktop mode for regular users.
▶“>Android 15 is likely to include a somewhat easier-to-use desktop mode to make the OS a more capable productivity platform. Google has shifted its focus to improving desktop mode in his 2022, and recent updates to Android 14 are already showing some promising results.
Google originally designed Android’s barebones desktop mode to provide app developers with an advanced testing environment to check how their apps behave in multi-display scenarios. We didn’t intend to make this mode publicly available because it lacked some of the most basic functionality that desktop users expect.
The latest Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 update includes a more refined desktop experience, as reported by Android Authority. Desktop mode is still hidden behind some flags, meaning Google doesn’t want users to try it yet. However, this feature marks an improvement in the window management system compared to what Android had previously.
Users can now freely resize and move app windows, bringing the mode closer to a traditional desktop environment. The experience is only slightly hindered by the OS temporarily hiding the window’s contents during resizing. You can also drag Windows to either edge of the screen, giving you additional options for arranging apps on the screen, similar to the Snap feature in Microsoft Windows. Fullscreen Android apps can now open windows in fullscreen, splitscreen, or freeform mode.
The improved desktop mode could attract people interested in using their phone as a temporary PC while on the go. However, it is still unclear how Google will market this feature or if it will support external peripherals such as mice and keyboards.
Android desktop mode still needs development time. There are no proper “launchers” or keyboard shortcuts for window management, and few apps support drag-and-drop options. For this to be successful, Google needs to encourage developers to implement support for desktop mode. Perhaps an API will be released to assist with this effort. Otherwise, Android’s native desktop mode cannot compete with third-party productivity environments such as Samsung Dex or Motorola Ready For.
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Android 15 could bring improvements to desktop mode for developers and perhaps the public
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