The iPad Pro has been my go-to computing device for the past three years, despite not being my favorite. Its speed, fluidity, excellent keyboard, and stunning display are undeniable. However, it still has its shortcomings, particularly with Stage Manager. Connecting to an external monitor often becomes necessary due to the limitations of the 13-inch screen for multi-app windowing. While Apple’s ecosystem integration keeps me tethered, the iPad’s restricted desktop workflow remains a source of frustration. Android tablets, unfortunately, haven’t even reached this level of functionality, leaving me with little hope for their future in productivity. The iPad Pro is close to a good computing machine. Even the iPad mini is a nice companion computer. I can’t say the same for any Android slate. That’s a shame, especially for a platform that has left the door ajar for third-party development since its inception.
The Current State of Android Tablets
It’s astonishing that Android has had a hidden desktop mode for years. Since Android 10, a basic developer-focused launcher with features like freeform windows has existed, though setting it up was cumbersome. Five OS generations later, a true desktop mode remains elusive. This raises the question: why invest in “powerhouse tablet computing” on Android? Why not simply buy a budget-friendly tablet for media consumption and casual use?
The disparity is baffling. A $500 gaming tablet offers a dedicated large-screen gaming environment, while $1,000 flagship Android tablets struggle with desktop productivity. Samsung’s DeX provides a functional Android desktop interface, but it’s far from perfect. Navigation control inconsistencies, full-screen issues, app scaling problems, and a lack of extension support hinder its productivity potential.
DeX does have strengths, including free app resizing, window tiling, universal search, taskbar customization, and resolution options. OnePlus also offers its Open Canvas multitasking system, while Motorola provides “Smart Connect” for desktop use with smartphones. However, this fragmented approach creates a problem. Each Android manufacturer’s unique take on desktop computing leads to inconsistencies in fundamental elements like keyboard shortcuts and input methods.
This is where iPadOS excels. Seamless keyboard compatibility between Macs and iPads ensures a consistent experience. In contrast, using an Android tablet with a monitor requires adjusting to different layouts and shortcuts. Cursor and trackpad inconsistencies further complicate matters. Click response and fluidity on Android desktop environments also lag behind iPadOS. Google could have leveraged the Chrome OS formula for a unified experience, but that opportunity was missed.
Even accessing Android’s desktop windowing requires enabling Developer mode and toggling “freeform windows” on Pixel Tablets, or resorting to the Android Studio Preview emulator. It’s bewildering that this feature took so long to implement, considering Android’s long history with tablets.
Glimmers of Hope for the Future
Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 finally introduces native desktop windowing, featuring a fixed taskbar, app pinning, resizable windows, and keyboard shortcut support. Google promises that all apps launched within the desktop space will open as desktop windows.
Developers are encouraged to adhere to Google’s Large screen app quality guidelines for optimal freeform UI resizing. Drag and drop support between side-by-side apps, a keyboard shortcuts API, and the ability to run multiple instances of the same app are also promising additions.
Google assures developers that optimizing for desktop windowing on Pixel Tablet will future-proof their apps for the broader Android ecosystem. While Google’s past tablet commitments warrant skepticism, rumors of Chrome OS merging with Android for a unified desktop OS offer a potential solution.
A new Pixel laptop potentially running a desktop-focused version of Android, and a Chrome version with extension support, further suggest Google’s renewed focus on desktop experiences. While a truly competitive Android tablet desktop experience remains uncertain, these developments offer a glimmer of hope for the future. It’s high time for Google to deliver on its potential.
