Android 16 could finally improve split-screen mode

What if Google took inspiration from what is being done elsewhere to improve one of Android's central systems? In any case, this is what the discovery ofAndroid Authority during its decortication of the second Developer Preview of Android 16. In Android 16 DP2 there is in fact a “flexible” multitasking system allowing in particular to display not two, but three apps side by side, as already offered by OnePlus' Open Canvas tool.

Still very preliminary improvements

This tool, introduced with the OnePlus Openallows two applications to share 90% of the space, while a third app takes the remaining 10%. This, unusable as it is, can however be enlarged by simply pressing on it, thus reducing the size of the application most opposite. Practical for quickly juggling several applications from a single screen.

For the moment, this new multitasking system of Android 16 DP2 is far from being operational. Only an animation, when two applications are in split screen, shows that it will be possible in the future to insert a third.

Google takes inspiration from OnePlus

Furthermore, still according to Android AuthorityGoogle could offer a new display ratio for the split-screen mode of two applications. In addition to the existing 50:50 and 70:30, a 90:10 mode could arrive. Here too, a lot of work clearly remains to be done by the developers to make the function really usable. This could, however, allow you to concentrate on one application while keeping a second one on hand to switch quickly.

It remains to be seen whether or not these improvements will be ready for the release of the next major version of Android, and which devices beyond tablets will be able to benefit from them. Same question also for the mode being designed by Google to transform any application into a bubble, as certain messaging applications already offer.