When Android 16 arrives next year, it may come sooner than the usual fall release, but it could bring some interesting new ways to multitask. At least, some recently discovered code seems to suggest that.
Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman discovered an interesting multitasking upgrade in a recent code dive that could be part of the Android 16 update. This includes changes to the Bubble API, which was first released with Android 11 in 2020. The Bubble API allows you to deploy your messaging app. A floating window appears on top of other apps so you can respond to chats instantly. When you minimize the chat app window, it turns into a bubble icon that you can show again when you need to.
In the current version of Android, the bubble tool only works in chat apps, and not all conversation apps support this feature. Rahman says, “The UI that launches inside the bubble is just normal Android activity.” So, in theory, almost any Android app should work in a bubble. This may allow you to quickly switch between apps when multitasking.
Rahman was able to get the new Bubble API version working on the Android 15 QPR1 beta, but it hasn’t been published elsewhere, and it’s unclear when (or if) Google will release this feature. is unknown. He also found references to a “bubble anything” feature.
Currently configured in beta, Pixel Launcher adds a bubble button to the context menu when you activate the Bubble Anything tool. When you long-press an app icon on your home screen, a context menu will pop up. on the menu[バブル]Tapping on an option will open the app in a bubble with a floating window.
Rahman points out that Google also has code for a bubble bar feature that lets you put multiple bubbled apps in one box and tap them in and out. There could also be a “bubble hiding” feature that pushes icon bubbles to the side of the screen. It will be in half, but it looks like you can grab it for quick access.
Rahman believes all of these bubble features work well on some of the best Android tablets because of their larger display size. However, the ability to bubble any app and save those bubbles to an easily accessible navigation bar or side of the screen would benefit even the best Android smartphones as well.
As a reminder, you can learn more about Google’s commitment to the Android operating system by looking into the details of code like this. There is no guarantee that the features found will actually be published or that significant changes will not be made if the features are launched.
Android 16 won’t arrive until 2025, but we’ve already heard plenty of rumors about Google’s update plans. Rahman previously discovered that changes may be coming to the way Android users interact with notifications and quick settings screens.
