Throughout the years, smartphone makers have made taller and also taller devices. While that has made media consumption more enjoyable on mobile, it has produced many phones difficult to use one-handed.
To make up, several phone manufacturers have developed software application options to enhance one-handed use: most significantly Apple with its Reachability attribute. Currently, Google is set to bring its variation of one-handed mode in Android 12.
XDA has now learned that Google has been establishing a one-handed mode function for incorporation into AOSP, the open-source version of Android. We do not recognize if Google plans to mandate its variation of one-handed setting on all Android 12 devices.
While we aren’t precisely sure how Android 12’s one-handed setting will undoubtedly be created, we think it’ll resemble the many OEM executions that reduce the entire display to an edge (e.g., like the ASUS execution shown in the featured picture). We understand that Google’s current execution in Android 12 entails shrinking the display size to 40% of its max dimension.
We also recognize that there will certainly be a way to trigger one-handed mode using the traditional 3-button mode and the newer gestural navigating mode. Presently, it’s planned for the one-handed setting to be included in Setups > System > Motion > One-Handed, which makes sense because it’s activated using a motion (most likely swiping left/right on the navigation bar).
The addition of a one-handed mode in Android 12 comes long after several OEMs have already made their versions of the attribute. At one factor, Chinese smart device manufacturer Huawei also tried to submit its version of the aspect to AOSP, but Google rejected its addition. The reason that was provided was that Huawei’s application conflicted with various other features and presented insects. However, any kind of concern could, naturally, have been ironed out. That being stated, it’s not uncommon for Google to take its time to implement essential attributes already existing in its partners’ Android devices.
For instance, Google is ultimately presenting a scrolling screenshot attribute in Android 12 years after implementing it. In an Ask Me Anything string on Reddit last year, Google said that it did not want to carry out scrolling screenshots in a half-baked method; the company pointed to just how several OEM implementations fail to function certain web pages or fall short to stitch photos when scrolling through certain sights. Similarly, Google might be placing a comparable level of diligence into its work in a one-handed setting. Rearranging all systems and reducing UI components, Google also has to consider how one-handed mode affects third-party applications considering that its application will impact the whole Android ecosystem rather than just a subset of devices.
Since we do not have pictures of Android 12’s one-handed mode, we sadly can not show precisely what it will appear like. However, we anticipate the initial Android 12 Programmer Preview to land at some time later on this month, so we might not need to wait long to see the attribute in action. Nevertheless, we do not recognize if Google will undoubtedly consist of the element in the Designer Preview or even in all in a future Beta or Stable release. If Google determines the attribute is still not ready for launch, then we may not see the quality until following year’s Android variation, if in all.