Google tests 'app handles' to streamline foldable multitasking in Android Canary

Google is testing a new multitasking mechanism called "app handles" designed to simplify how users manage multiple applications on foldable and large-screen devices. The feature first appeared in Android Canary build 2608, targeting the specific ergonomics of devices like the Pixel Fold.

App handles function as interactive bars located on top of active apps, including floating bubbles. These handles allow users to drag an application to transition it seamlessly between full-screen, split-screen, or pop-out window modes. Additionally, the system enables users to expand existing floating bubbles into full-screen windows using these handles, reducing the number of taps required to reorganize the workspace.

The push for foldable productivity

This update is part of the August Android Canary release, a testing channel where Google iterates on experimental features before they reach stable builds. Build 2608 is not limited to multitasking; it also introduces a new layout editor for Quick Settings. However, the release marks a transition for older hardware, as it is the final Canary build supported for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

Google's focus on these refinements comes as the company seeks to better compete with other foldable manufacturers, such as Samsung, who have long prioritized advanced multitasking software. By refining the interface for large screens, Google is attempting to move the foldable experience away from a scaled-up phone interface toward a more legitimate productivity tool.

Why the interface shift matters

Improving the fluidity of app switching is critical for the adoption of foldables as professional devices. The friction of manually entering split-screen mode through traditional menus often discourages users from multitasking. By implementing app handles, Google provides a more intuitive, gesture-based way to manage screen real estate, allowing users to pivot from a single-task focus to a multi-app workflow without interrupting their momentum.

What to watch

As the feature is currently limited to the Canary channel, it remains experimental and may undergo significant changes before a wider rollout. It remains to be seen if app handles will become a standard part of the Android stable release or if they will remain exclusive to foldable and tablet hardware. Observers will be watching for further iterations in upcoming Canary builds to see if the handles integrate with other system-level productivity tools.