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summary
- Android 15 could bring a new take on chat bubbles for devices with larger screens.
- Google is developing a bubble bar that will hide chat bubbles by default. This gives you instant access to conversations without taking up screen space.
- Bubble Bar may initially be limited to tablets like the Pixel Tablet, but could expand to foldables in the future.
A long time ago, Facebook Messenger introduced a feature called Chat Heads. This moves the conversation into a floating bubble and places it on top of other visible content. The concept proved so popular that Google added a native version of it to Android 11, long after Facebook increasingly abandoned the concept. Since then, system-wide chat bubbles have languished as a less-used option, but with Android 15, this could change again, at least on Android devices with larger screens.
The latest Android 14 QPR3 beta reveals that Google may move chat bubbles to a dedicated section in the bottom left of the tablet. This was discovered during a teardown by Mishaal Rahman, an Android expert who writes for Android Authority. The new experience hides chat bubbles by default and only shows them when you swipe up from the new additional bar at the bottom left of your screen. This allows you to keep your conversations active and instantly accessible without taking up space on your screen.
Mishaal Rahman said Bubble Bar has been in development for over a year, but has just started running on Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1. With this in mind, this feature could be rolled out as early as June already. When QPR3 will be released as his June feature drop. However, there is a possibility that the company will put the chat bubble bar on hold in his Android 15 as Google has started regular testing of upcoming features in early Android releases.
At this stage, it’s unclear whether the new bubble bar will be limited to tablets or whether it will also apply to foldables. Mishaal Rahman speculates that initially it will likely be limited to the Pixel Tablet, but it could also appear on foldable tablets in the future.
Android 14 QPR3 is packed with some interesting features. Google will also be introducing a new cover screen gesture to the Pixel Fold, which will allow you to continue using apps from the inner screen to the outer screen when you close the handset. Android 14 QPR3 can also automatically adjust your phone’s touch sensitivity depending on your environment, activity, and whether a screen protector is applied. In the months leading up to the stable release, we’ll likely learn more about what Google has planned for its next release.
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