Google has unveiled Android 17 Beta 3, introducing one of the most eagerly awaited features: app bubbles. This innovation represents a refined evolution of Android’s previous floating window system. While users could create similar bubbles using freeform windows, the process was often cumbersome, requiring navigation through the recents screen to minimize an app into a bubble. Although functional, it lacked the accessibility that many users desired.
Think of app bubbles as a cleaner evolution of Android’s older floating window system.
With Android 17, the app bubbles feature streamlines this process, eliminating unnecessary steps and enhancing the ease of creating, utilizing, and managing floating applications. This transformation elevates app bubbles from a hidden trick to a genuine multitasking tool.
How app bubbles work on Android 17 Beta 3
App bubbles allow users to keep applications floating on their screens, enabling quick access whenever needed. The setup is intuitive and straightforward, currently exclusive to Android 17 Beta 3. For those opting to wait for the stable rollout, this overview provides insight into how app bubbles will function in the future. Here’s a simple guide on creating and managing app bubbles:
- Long-press any app icon and select the “bubble” option.
- The app will open in a small floating window, which can then be minimized into a bubble on your screen.
- Multiple bubbles can be stacked by repeating the process, allowing for organized multitasking.
- Tapping a stack of bubbles expands it into a small panel, where users can switch between open bubbles, add recently used apps, or dismiss specific bubbles.
Managing these bubbles is equally straightforward. Users can drag a bubble or a stack to the “X” button to remove them all at once. On foldable devices and tablets, bubbles can be arranged in a taskbar-style layout, enhancing accessibility and organization.
6 ways I’m already using Android 17’s app bubbles to multitask better
1. Messages without leaving what you’re doing
This is perhaps the most apparent use case, yet it’s also the one you’ll find yourself relying on frequently. While scrolling through Instagram or watching YouTube, incoming messages no longer necessitate switching apps. Simply open your messaging app in a bubble, send a quick reply, and return seamlessly to your previous activity.
2. Keep notes open while shopping
Online shopping often involves toggling between apps, taking screenshots, and performing mental calculations. By keeping a notes app open alongside Amazon in a bubble, you can efficiently check items off your shopping list without the hassle of constant app switching.
3. Watch videos and take notes at the same time
When following tutorials, recipes, or online lectures, switching apps can disrupt your flow. By placing your video streaming app in a bubble, you can keep a notes app open while the video plays in the background, allowing for quick note-taking and easy pausing without losing track of your context.
4. Check Maps without interrupting chats
Map applications typically dominate the screen, which can be inconvenient when coordinating plans. With Google Maps in a bubble, you can glance at directions and traffic updates while continuing your conversation in any messaging app.
5. Plan trips without jumping between apps
Travel planning often requires navigating between Maps, browser tabs, and notes, creating a chaotic experience. App bubbles enable you to keep Maps and notes open while browsing, allowing for location checks, saving places, and comparing options without the disruption of constant app switching.
6. Copy information with ease
With bubbles, you can maintain the source app in a small window while working in another application. This functionality simplifies the process of copying, checking, and pasting information, eliminating the need for repetitive back-and-forth navigation.
These examples illustrate just a few ways to leverage app bubbles since downloading Android 17 Beta 3. The true allure of this feature lies in its flexibility; as users begin to explore, they will likely discover their own shortcuts and workflows, showcasing the feature’s full potential.
