Foldable phones have always been on the horizon, offering a tantalizing glimpse for the next wave in technology. While the concept is nothing new, the hardware has finally arrived in a workable format. The foldable devices are expected to hit the market in 2019! But foldables are nothing without software that’s designed to work with the form factor. The good news is that Google just offered official support for foldable Android devices.
While details are limited, Google announced the support via the Android Developers Twitter account. Android apps will be able to seamlessly transition with the fold of the display, scaling without hassle to the size of the display. Google also confirmed that foldable will be arriving in 2019, settling plenty of rumors. The company has shown off first illustrations and animations for foldable Android. The form factor which started as a concept is finally turning to reality.
Dave Burke, the VP Engineering of Android, described the experience as both a phone and a tablet, with a feature called “Screen Continuity”. Here the apps can seamlessly transfer between bigger and smaller screens. The goal is to use the device seamlessly even when you’re folding or unfolding it. A phone can be transformed into a tablet by unfolding the screen. Here, the real idea is to provide a bigger screen than the standard smartphones.
According to Google, there can be two variants available: one-screen and two-screen devices. The developers are working to optimize Android for the flexible display. Google wants to make sure that the mobile experience is smooth on the flexible screen as well. Google will be helping other developers to use the technology so they can also make more related experiences.
We just announced support for foldables at #AndroidDevSummit, a new form factor coming next year from Android partners.
Android apps run seamlessly as the device folds, achieving this form factor's chief feature: screen continuity. pic.twitter.com/NAfOmCOY26
— Android Developers (@AndroidDev) November 7, 2018
Recently, Samsung has announced the Infinity Flex Display and teased its first foldable phone. It’s not the final design yet but it seems that the display technology is almost ready. Now Google is anticipating more OEMs to venture into this tech as several brands like Huawei and LG have already expressed their intentions.
It’s a new technology that requires further R&D because of the new user experience it offers. While foldables are sure to face some issues at the outset, support built into Android will ease many of the bumps on the road. What are your thoughts on these new flexible displays? Are you looking forward to this next trend? Let us know in the comment section down below.
Also Read – FlexPai: The world’s first commercial foldable phone
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