For years, Google has been working on optimizing Android for tablets and other large-screen devices. Key feature additions like a taskbar and improved split-screen functionality have helped. However, many users agree that Android tablets still fall short of offering truly seamless, PC-level multitasking. Google is now working to close this gap by reviving and refining a powerful tool that could change how we use tablets: the ability to run any Android app in a floating bubble.

Recent findings by Android Authority suggest Google still has this “bubble anything” concept. The company now aims to better fit existing tablet workflows with an updated interface. Google is positioning it to become a seamless, general-purpose feature for power users.

Android tablets may get massive multitasking upgrade with Floating Apps

The new implementation centers on a simple, intuitive drag-and-drop gesture. Code strings and accompanying animations indicate that tablet users will soon be able to drag an app icon directly from the taskbar and drop it onto one of the screen’s bottom corners. This action will immediately launch the app in a smaller, floating bubble window. Users can then move this bubble freely while simultaneously working in other applications.

This approach aligns perfectly with how other multitasking features, such as split-screen mode, currently work on Android tablets. The goal is probably to minimize the learning curve. To further ensure a smooth user transition, the code also points to a new educational tutorial with animations. This will guide users through the new drag-to-float gesture the first time they interact with the taskbar.

Bubble anything

The current version of Android limits the “bubble” feature almost exclusively to conversation notifications from supported messaging apps. However, the evidence strongly suggests this new gesture will apply to any app placed on the taskbar. Android already allows any app icon to sit in that position. So, extending the floating window capability to all apps is a logical next step.

This broader application unlocks powerful multitasking possibilities. It may allow users to keep three, four, or more apps instantly accessible at the same time. This is a significant functional boost, particularly for smaller tablets that struggle to fit multiple applications comfortably in the standard split-screen mode. Some custom skins from other brands already integrate similar functions. However, a powerful, native solution would be very useful to add uniformity between all Android devices.

We still don’t know when these improvements will arrive in a stable release. However, the presence of a fully designed tutorial and corresponding animations suggests that this “bubble any app” Android feature is making steady progress toward a public release in a future update.

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Budget Android phones are about to get a power injection. Qualcomm has just unveiled the new Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chip. The company has released it quietly, without much fanfare. Still, the latest hardware platform includes some impressive features for affordable mobile devices, including support for 144Hz displays.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 powers 59% faster graphics in cheap phones

The most important technical detail of the new platform is that it is the first in the 6s series built using a 4nm process node. This drives major gains in efficiency and power over older 6nm designs. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4’s CPU structure includes eight Kryo cores: 4x performance cores clocked up to 2.4 GHz and 4x efficiency cores operating at up to 1.8 GHz. Qualcomm states that this configuration yields up to 36% better CPU performance and up to 59% faster GPU performance compared to previous generations. For users, this means noticeably smoother app switching and quicker load times. Overall, you can expect a more responsive daily experience overall.

Beyond core processing, the chip improves several key aspects of the affordable phone experience. Starting with gaming, the chip supports high-frame-rate content on Full HD+ displays at 144 Hz. It also incorporates software features borrowed from premium Snapdragon lines. The list includes Variable Rate Shading (VRS) for efficient graphics rendering and Qualcomm’s Game Quick Touch feature. The latter reduces input lag during high-action games. Furthermore, the chip is compatible with high-speed LPDDR5 memory (up to 3,200 MHz).

200MP camera support, Wi-Fi 6E and more

The new platform also enhances multimedia capabilities on Android handsets. It supports camera sensors up to 200MP and enables 2K video recording. For situations with poor lighting, the hardware-accelerated Multi-Frame Noise Reduction (MFNR) helps to deliver clearer, more detailed photos. In terms of connectivity, the modem supports the latest 5G Release 16 standard. Advanced Wi-Fi 6E technology—up to 2.9 Gbps download speed—and Bluetooth 5.4 are also present.

Qualcomm has not yet confirmed the specific device manufacturers or a timeline for retail availability. However, major companies that traditionally use the 6-series—such as Xiaomi, OPPO, and Motorola—will likely incorporate this new platform into their upcoming models pretty soon. Let’s hope to receive more news about it soon.

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