Almost two months after the preview version, the first beta of Android 12L has now been released. The adapted version of Android 12 is aimed at devices such as foldables, tablets and devices with Chrome OS and brings extended functions for the use of the mobile operating system on larger screens.
Compared to the preview shown at the end of October, there are no significant changes in the range of functions. However, Beta 1 finalizes the APIs and thus contains the official 12L APIs at level 32. Developers can also find customized build tools and system images for creating and testing their apps.
Taskbar and split screen
For extended multitasking, Android 12L displays a taskbar on large screens with which end users can switch directly between their app favorites. You can also drag and drop a second app onto the left or right side of a running application, whereupon Android switches to split-screen mode.
Dragging the icon from the taskbar onto the running app triggers the split-screen mode.
(Image: Google)
In the developer documentation for Android 12L there is a separate section for testing applications in conjunction with the taskbar and in the split-screen view.
The app between the bars
For applications that are not adapted to large screens, Android 12L offers a compatibility mode that uses letterboxing, among other things. Even if Google uses the term, strictly speaking, it is pillarboxing, as the wide frame is on the left and right and not above and below. Device manufacturers can adapt the display with overlay configurations and design the aspect ratios, optionally display round corners around the app window and display a transparent taskbar.
The compatibility mode is intended for apps that do not inherently take larger screens into account.
(Image: Google)
Developers should test apps that are not fundamentally designed for larger screens in compatibility mode to ensure that they work and look as expected.
Another adjustment of Android 12L compared to regular Android has less of an impact on the development of apps: The system shows notifications and quick settings in a two-column view next to each other, provided the screen size is more than 600dp. The unit of measurement corresponds to one physical pixel on a screen with a density of 160.
Testing with the chipmunk
Google has published a number of guides for developing apps for large screens in general and for Android 12L in particular. This includes a guide for adaptive Layouts mit Jetpack Compose and one for Material design on different screens. An own Documentation page is dedicated to the basic development for larger screens.
The upcoming Android Studio with the nickname Chipmunk has extended configuration options for the emulator, including reference devices for phones, foldables, tablets and desktops. It also recently added a visual linting tool that displays warnings and suggestions for UI design and checks the layout of the visual elements. The development environment is currently available as a Preview-Release im Canary Channel verfügbar.
The Android Emulator is the easiest way to test apps on Android 12L.
(Image: Google)
More details about Beta 1 can be found from the Android developer blog. Android 12L should appear on the first end devices at the beginning of next year. Developers can test the beta on the Android emulator. It is also available for some Google Pixel Phones, but does not offer the adjustments for large screens there. Lenovo is currently still providing for its Tab P12 Pro the preview version is available, but the beta should follow shortly for the device.
(rme)
