News
Android 15 brings tablet taskbar to phones and Pixel 9 pre-orders change: Key Updates
Key Points:
- Android 15 might introduce a “tiny” taskbar for phones.
- New pre-order deals for Pixel 9 with no free smartwatch.
- Pixel 9 series prices are higher but with added benefits.
Google is enhancing Android’s interface for large-screen devices like tablets and foldable phones. One notable feature is the taskbar, which allows users to switch between apps quickly. Initially, this taskbar was only available on large screens, but Android 15 might bring a smaller version to smartphones.
The taskbar was first seen in Android 12L in 2022. It appears at the bottom of the screen, displaying app icons from the home screen dock. Over time, Google made it more user-friendly. In Android 13, the taskbar became hideable, and later versions introduced a transient taskbar that shows up when you swipe up and disappears after a few seconds. For Android 15, Google is planning to let users choose between the old persistent taskbar and the new transient one.
However, smartphones still don’t have a dedicated taskbar. Users have to manually adjust display settings, making it hard to see and use apps. Google is working on a “tiny” taskbar for smaller screens to solve this problem. In Android 15 Beta 4, a new “tiny” taskbar was found. It looks similar to the one on tablets but doesn’t need display adjustments.
It’s unclear when this feature will be fully released. Currently, the “tiny” taskbar isn’t complete and shows some issues in the beta version. Hopefully, Google will fix these soon and include the taskbar in an early Android 15 update.
Meanwhile, Google has changed its pre-order promotions for the Pixel 9 series. Unlike previous years, there won’t be a free smartwatch or headphones. Instead, pre-orders come with:
- Extra storage: 256 GB instead of 128 GB.
- Trade-in bonus: €150 for Pixel 9 and €200 for Pixel 9 Pro.
- Free subscriptions: Google One, YouTube Premium, and Fitbit Premium for a limited time.
However, Pixel 9 prices have increased. The Pixel 9 starts at €899, the Pixel 9 Pro at €1,099, the Pixel 9 Pro XL at €1,199, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at €1,899.