Android 16 to Bring Floating Bubble Mode to Improve App Navigation

Google is set to give the Android Bubbles API a new boost in its next big update. According to a blog post by Android Authority on October 9, the tech giant is working on improving the Bubbles API for Android 16. This change will allow users to enable a floating bubble for any app, improving multitasking without needing a desktop window.

Bubbles API: A Brief Overview

The Bubbles API was first introduced in Android 11. It was mainly used for chat apps, letting users see and reply to messages while doing other tasks on their phones. The interface looks like a floating window on the screen, and users can open it at any time to view chat threads.

Google seems keen on expanding this function to other apps with the next update. This could mean that more than just chat apps will have access to floating windows, which might change how users interact with different tools on their phones.

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Code Changes in Android 15

The folks at Android Authority dug into the latest QPR (Quarterly Platform Release) update for Android 15. They found a reference to a new feature called “bubble anything.” Once enabled, users can press and hold an app icon in the Pixel Launcher, and a new “bubble” button will show up in the menu. Tapping this button will open a floating window for that app.

This tweak could open up new ways of multitasking on Android devices. Users could quickly switch between tasks without fully opening or closing apps. Though this might not be a groundbreaking change, it does add a layer of ease to daily phone use.

A Better Multitasking Experience

With the introduction of the “bubble anything” feature, users could experience an enhanced multitasking environment, even without the need for a complete desktop window function. The bubble bar would also facilitate smoother transitions between applications, providing a more fluid and efficient experience, particularly for those who frequently keep multiple apps open simultaneously.

Currently, it is uncertain whether this feature will be fully ready by the time Android 16 is officially available next year. Google might still be in the testing phase, but the feature shows significant potential as a valuable tool for optimizing user navigation on Android devices. We will need to wait and observe if Google includes it in the upcoming update.

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