When it comes to desktop mode on Android, Samsung’s DeX platform or Motorola’s Ready For feature usually comes to mind. According to leaked information, Google has started working on a desktop mode similar to the DeX platform for Android 15.
Android 15 will come with a desktop mode by default
There is already a desktop mode in Google AOSP (Android Open Source Project). Initially, Google added it in Android 10 in a very basic form to allow developers to test their applications in multi-screen scenarios.
Since then, the desktop mode has slowly evolved, and it now easily allows running two apps side by side. While more apps can be opened simultaneously using a freeform multi-window experience, there are some limitations.
It seems Google is working on a multi-window Android desktop experience. Android Authority discovered interesting innovations by playing with developer options in the latest Android 14 QPR3 2.1 beta version.
A new title bar with a small menu that appears when you touch the small button above the full-screen app will now be available. The menu includes options for full-screen, split-screen, or freeform mode.
In freeform mode, windows can be dragged and resized as desired. The “stick to the edge” feature allows you to stick a window to the left or right half of the screen.
However, features like window positioning or keyboard shortcuts are not available at the moment. Also, it’s worth noting that there is no proper desktop launcher yet.
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