Google at I/O 2022, announced the updation of over 20 of its first-party apps for large screens. And presently, that will definitely bring into execution time to time. As Google certainly tends to bring updates and make its user experience better. And that precisely enhances the experience of the existing users and is meant to encourage other developers to do the same.
Google apps with tablet UIs
Now, further, there’s a list of Google app that has a tablet update, have a look at it.
Google Drive and Keep widgets
Now Google is optimizing widgets for Android tablets by making them available for larger screens. It has version number 2.22.357.1. And it adds a row of shortcuts to the Drive for quick actions widget, that creates a new document in Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
In addition to this, the Google Keep with version number 5.22.342.03.90. Now, this matches the Gmail widget and makes you see more notes. Although, you can still get the old design by increasing the width.
Google TV
This was one of the apps stated for a redesign at I/O. Now the optimised version of the same is available now. Although without the Material You element stylings depict on-stage. And the main alteration is in a navigation rail with centred tabs that replace the bottom bar. The new look has an update having the version of 4.33.60.17.
Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides
Google recently announced the updated Drive and Docs/Sheets/Slides. That now getting the tablet optimizations. Some of the features that got updated include the following:
- Similar to Google Keep, drag images/text from another app like Chrome and drop them into a document or spreadsheet cell.
- Google Drive now supports dragging and dropping for upload files.
- You can open two Drive instances side-by-side.
- Like Keep, you can also add links to Drive files by dragging the file into an open app.
- Physical keyboard shortcuts in Drive, Docs, and Slides to select, cut, copy, paste, undo and redo.
YouTube Music
Youtube Music optimization for tablets is announced at I/O 2022. And now it has been rolled out now. The same update shows a two-column UI in which the cover art and other details appear on the left and the song list is on the other side.
Clock
The update brings Google Clock 7.2, which starts by appearing as a left-sided navigation rail on tablets. It gives the app more vertical space. Some other big change is the use of two-column layouts.
Calculator
It has version 8.2, and the new Google’s Calculator app now brings a two-column layout where it shows calculation history on tablets and other large-screen devices.
Google Lens
This comes with version number 13.19 of the Google app. It lets Google Lens open in landscape mode. To be noted, this visual search tool was previously not allowed to portrait orientation on Android.
Google Photos
It is the Google premier tablet app on Android. And the update rolled out in January of 2021, although the update is not too different from the web UI. It includes a navigation rail on the left edge, which means a more vertical content look. Additionally to Photos, Search, Sharing, and Library. Now it gives quick access to On Device, Utilities, Archive, and Trash respectively.
Google Calendar
It shows the great day and scheduled views, where it shows the entire month on the left. While the list of the event is next to it and the illustration liven up the background. Whereas it does not seems that the company is planning any changes.
Chrome
Talking about Chrome on Android tablets then it is almost similar to the desktop. The interface gave the utilisation of tab strips and Omnibox layout. Support for multiple windows for multitasking has also been given.
YouTube
Coming to YouTube, and that’s certainly a well-optimized app for tablets. It also has two-column views that span around throughout the interface.
Google Translate
Although Google translate has already the tablet optimisation acclaimed on stage. While it’s better for this app to be sparse and bring a lot of spacing.
Google Home [26/11/2022]
Google Home starts with a Material You navigation rail that makes use of pill-shaped indicators. You only see the text label of the current tab.
