For better or for worse,foldable smartphonesare here to stay. OnePlus recently unveiledone of its own(with some helpfrom Oppo), and it’s clear that the demand for these devices will only increase over the next few years. While Samsung can be credited with setting things in motion for the foldable segment on the whole, companies like Google also joined the fray last year with the Pixel Fold. App optimization is crucial for new form factors to ensure things work smoothly, and foldables are no different. Google is now announcing more foldable/tablet-specific optimizations for a couple of its apps, in addition to some other popularproductivity appsfor Android.
Starting with Gmail, Googlesaysfoldable phones can now open web links right next to the email text, thus making better use of the space. Consequently, the email moves to the left of the screen, while the link will open in Chrome (or any other browser) on the right side. Users can expand or reduce the size of each window using the divider handle on the screen. YouTube or Google Docs links will also open on the right side of the screen, per the folks over at9to5Google. The publication also confirmed the addition of this new interface on the Pixel Fold and thePixel Tablet, indicating a broader rollout.
Meanwhile, Google Docs is picking up a small visual update meant to offer increased visibility of the formatting toolbar, with a cursor also present to help with navigation. As for the third-party apps picking up new foldable-specific updates, Google mentions Zoom, plus a few others. The updated version of the video calling app now makes it easier to go hands-free in tabletop mode, with the call controls appearing at the bottom of the screen and the video feed showing up on the top.
Other apps picking up foldable-related design and functionality updates include Dropbox, Evernote, Todoist, and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Google Drive was recently buildinga two-page layoutfor tablets and foldables, while fellow Workspace apps like Docs, Sheets, and Slides have received extensive updates to accommodate the larger screen sizes. So even if Google’s solitary foldable and tablet may not be the most popular right now, it’s good to know that the Workspace team and third-party developers are making the necessary optimizations for devices with larger screens. The company is also expected to work on a clamshell foldable similar to theSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, according to new code found within thePixel Buds appsome weeks ago.
Google Pixel Fold
Last year’s Google Pixel Fold may not have dazzled us on release, but the company has made many improvements to the device over time. Android 15 has the Pixel Fold running well, and it’s a fantastic deal for sub-$600 if you’re comfortable with a renewed device. It’s an excellent choice for picking up a foldable on a budget.
