Android's New Split-Screen: A 90/10 Mode for Enhanced Multitasking
As someone who juggles multiple apps daily, I'm always on the lookout for ways to boost my mobile productivity. It seems Google's been listening, because the latest Android Canary release is bringing a neat upgrade to split-screen multitasking. I'm talking about a new 90/10 split that could seriously change how we use our phones.
Most of us are used to the regular split-screen mode, where two apps share the display, usually 50/50 or sometimes with a 70/30 split. But this new 90/10 ratio? It's a different beast altogether. Imagine having one app taking up almost the entire screen, while another sits neatly in a small sliver at the top or bottom. It’s like having a primary app in full-screen mode, but with a secondary app just a tap away.
I know what you're thinking: "Is that tiny sliver even useful?" Well, probably not for active use, but it’s perfect for keeping an eye on something – a chat window, a news feed, or maybe your music player. And the best part? Switching apps is seamless. Just tap on that sliver, and it instantly swaps places with the main app, resizing to take up 90% of the screen. It is fast and very intuitive.
Google's been cooking up this feature for a while, and it’s already available on some Android 16-based systems, like Samsung's One UI 8. While there were initial concerns that the 90/10 split would replace the existing 70/30 option, I'm glad to see that Google kept both. This way, we get more flexibility and can choose the split that best suits our needs.
Some say Google took inspiration from OPPO’s multitasking system, and while it’s unclear who deserves the credit, the important thing is that Android's split-screen mode is getting a much-needed boost. For too long, the stock Android experience has felt a bit behind what other manufacturers offer. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come!
Source: AndroidAuthority