Google released Android 12L last night, an operating system for mobile devices with large screens. It has been optimized specifically for devices such as tablets and folding screens and is officially positioned as a system that should make Android 12 a better experience on larger screens, rather than a new system.
The first change is to the logic of using the landscape screen. Android 12L adds a bottom taskbar to make it easier for users to switch between tasks, split screens, etc.
When entering the lock screen interface in landscape mode, the screen lock pattern and PIN code are displayed on one side of the screen by default, and users can also tap the screen to move the PIN code or pattern.
The notification bar is split between the left and right sides of the screen, with buttons, music player plug-ins and shortcuts on the left, and a message bar on the right.
Android 12L has also been optimized for folding screens, so not only does the device offer a better experience in both folded and unfolded states, but it also includes transitional animations to improve screen continuity.
Android 12L will allow apps to be viewed in landscape mode in the same way as on the phone when not optimized for use on large screens, similar to iPadOS 15, I think.
Google will also tweak the Play Store so that Android-based tablets, as well as Chrome OS devices, offer users a better experience and make it easier for developers to create and upload apps that support large screens.
After Android 3.x many years ago, Android 12L is the second version of Google’s system for devices with large screens. This fits well with the rapid development of tablets and foldable phones in the last two years, and could also mean that Google is launching a new tablet.