Android 12 is the latest version of Google’s smartphone operating system and is currently the latest version available for tablets.
But not for long, as Android 12L is coming soon, which is specifically designed for tablets and other big screen devices like foldable phones.
Below we’ll detail what exactly Android 12L is, when it’s out, how it differs from the standard Android 12, and why this might be a great upgrade for Android tablet owners.
Android 12L release date
Android 12L is slated to release sometime in 2022. Google’s own website says “early 2022,” while Gizmodo claims the update will arrive in the second quarter of 2022 (i.e. sometime between April and June).
We wouldn’t really consider May or June to be ‘early’ in the year, so we think April will be the last month to arrive by then, but we can’t be sure.
Meanwhile, Android 12L is already available in developer preview form for select devices, including Pixel phones from the Pixel 3a onwards and the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro. You can also run it as an emulator on other devices.
However, in all cases, this will be an incomplete and potentially buggy version of the program. As the name suggests, this version is made for developers, so we recommend everyone to wait for the final release – or at least a public beta.
Why is Google making Android 12L?
Designed to make Android shine on foldable phones and tablets, Android 12L (supposedly referring to “big screen” or “big screen”) is arguably something the operating system has long needed.
Currently, Google applies a one-size-fits-all approach to its operating system, but in practice, the experience on a large screen can be very different than on a small screen, and with Android designed mostly around phones, that can make it undesirable. Larger devices – or simply mean that the extra space is not being used optimally.
So Android 12L is basically Android 12 with some big screen tweaks and some exclusive features that won’t work well on a phone (other than the big ones like foldable devices). It’s a similar idea to what Apple did with iPadOS, which separated from iOS.
Other than the interface, Android on tablets also suffers from a lack of apps optimized for tablets, and Android 12L aims to address this to some extent as well, as we’ll explain below.
Features of Android 12L
Android 12L has pretty much the same features as Android 12, since it’s just a version that’s optimized for devices with big screens. But it does mean some changes in layout and some functionality. We’ve highlighted the main changes below.
Two-column notification shade
With Android 12L, the notification dropdown has two columns instead of one, with quick settings on the left and notifications on the right. This makes the most of all the extra space.
New look lock screen
Likewise, the lock screen uses two columns to display information, but in addition to that, if you have a pattern or PIN lock enabled, this will be displayed on the side of the screen for easy access. If you want to lock on the other side, just tap on that side and it will jump across.
Improved multitasking
With Android 12L, there is a new taskbar at the bottom of the screen that can be revealed or hidden at any time with a long press. When visible, it shows app shortcuts, making it easy to move between apps without having to go to the Home screen or recent apps screen first.
You can also drag and drop an app from the taskbar to enter split-screen mode, or you can use the new “Split” action in the overview to start split-screen with a single tap.
There are also gesture controls to scroll through recent apps or go back to the home screen. So navigation on Android 12L should be faster and smoother than it currently is with tablets and other devices with large screens.
Better looking apps
One of the problems with using Android on tablets is that a lot of apps are not optimized for tablet use, which can make them look ugly or feel cramped when used with a larger screen.
With Android 12L, Google has improved Compatibility Mode, which means that even if the app isn’t optimized for your screen, it should look better than it currently does.
For example, when the app is in letterbox shape, device manufacturers will be able to configure the aspect ratio, set the transparency of the status bar, and optionally apply rounded corners to the app window. Improvements to Compatibility Mode should make it more stable.
Highlight the best apps
In addition to making apps look better on devices with big screens, Android 12L will also help you find the best apps for big screens, by highlighting apps optimized for your device on the Google Play Store. There will also be a warning on the listings page for apps that are not optimized.