Google might finally be adding a one-handed mode with Android 12

Android skins have offered this usability tool for years.

What you need to know

Google might be adding a one-handed mode to Android with Android 12.
This will largely benefit phones from Google and Nokia as Android OEMs with their own skins have implemented a one-handed mode of their own.
Android 12 should make its first appearance in a matter of weeks, but consumer-facing features are not expected to show up till Google I/O.

Google is set to launch Android 12 in just a matter of weeks if past patterns are being followed, a new leak from the folks over at XDA Developers reveals a potential new feature. The company may finally be adding one-handed mode, an accessibility feature that makes using large phones easier. In most incarnations of this feature, the screen is '"shrunken" such that all touchable elements are now placed within reach of one's thumb.

XDA reported on Monday:

We do know that Google's current implementation in Android 12 involves shrinking the screen size down to 40% of its max size. We also know that there will be a way to trigger one-handed mode using the traditional 3-button mode as well as the newer gestural navigation mode. Currently, it's planned for one-handed mode to be added to Settings > System > Gesture > One-Handed, which makes sense since it's triggered using a gesture (likely swiping left/right on the navigation bar).

Most Android users should not see a substantial change when this rolls out. This is because phone makers like Huawei, Xiaomi, Samsung, and even Motorola already have a one-handed mode on their phones. With most phones now running between 5.5 to 7 inches, this has become a necessity in place of making small phones. Rather, the benefit of this is that Google's implementation can now be used universally by OEMs if they so choose. Anyone who wants to use Android One or Stock Android will also get this as a "free" feature, meaning that less work needs to be done.

Android 12 is also expected to come with an advanced theming option, a revamped interface with softer edges and more white-space, and a double-tap feature for Pixels. As with all features in development (even those that are officially announced), not all may make it to the finish line.

Are you interested in a one-handed mode on your phone or do you already have one? Let us know in the comments below.

Get More Pixel 5

Google Pixel 5

$700 at Amazon $700 at Best Buy $700 at B&H

Source: androidcentral

The hidden cost of food delivery

Noah Lichtenstein Contributor Share on Twitter Noah Lichtenstein is the founder and managing partner of Crossover , a diversified private technology fund backed by institutional investors, technology execs and professional athletes and entertainers. More posts by this contributor What Studying Students Teaches Us About Great Apps I’ll admit it: When it comes to food, I’m lazy. There are dozens of great dining options within a few blocks of my home, yet I still end up ordering food through delivery apps four or five times per week. With the growing coronavirus pandemic closing restaurants and consumers self-isolating, it is likely we will see a spike in food delivery much like the 20% jump China reported during the peak of its crisis. With the food delivery sector rocketing toward a projected $365 billion by the end of the decade, I’m clearly not the only one turning to delivery apps even before the pandemic hit. Thanks to technology (and VC funding) we can get a ri

Cyber Monday Canada: Last-minute deals for everyone on your list

Best Cyber Monday Canada deals: Smart Home Audio Phones, Tablets & Accessories Wearables Laptops & PC Components Amazon products Gaming Televisions Cameras Lifestyle & Kitchen Toys & Kids Cyber Monday Canada is here, and retailers are rolling out the red carpet for customers who want to shop for everything from tech to kitchenware to games and everything in between. Unlike years past, Cyber Monday Canada deals look a bit different than normal. Instead of retailers trying to pack their stores with as many shoppers as possible, we're seeing tons of online deals that you can take advantage of from the comfort of your home. We've rounded up our favorites below, so feel free to browse through the best of what Canada Cyber Monday has to offer! This list is being updated with new Cyber Monday deals all the time, so check back often. Spotlight deals It's a Switch Nintendo Switch Fortnite Edition bundle $399.95 at Amazon It's a Switch.

iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Buyer's Guide: 50+ Differences Compared

The iPhone 15 Pro brings over 50 new features and improvements to Apple's high-end smartphones compared to the iPhone 13 Pro, which was released two years prior. This buyer's guide breaks down every major difference you should be aware of between the two generations and helps you to decide whether it's worth upgrading. The ‌iPhone 13‌ Pro debuted in 2021, introducing a brighter display with ProMotion technology for refresh rates up to 120Hz, the A15 Bionic chip, a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, Macro photography and photographic styles, Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field, ProRes video recording, a 1TB storage option, and five hours of additional battery life. The ‌iPhone 13‌ Pro was discontinued upon the announcement of the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, but it is still possible to get hold of it second-hand. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhone models is best for you and serves as a way to c

Slack’s new integration deal with AWS could also be about tweaking Microsoft

Slack and Amazon announced a big integration late yesterday afternoon. As part of the deal, Slack will use Amazon Chime for its call feature, while reiterating its commitment to use AWS as its preferred cloud provider to run its infrastructure. At the same time, AWS has agreed to use Slack for internal communications. Make no mistake, this is a big deal as the SaaS communications tool increases its ties with AWS, but this agreement could also be about slighting Microsoft and its rival Teams product by making a deal with a cloud rival. In the past Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield has had choice words for Microsoft saying the Redmond technology giant sees his company as an “existential threat.” Whether that’s true or not — Teams is but one piece of a huge technology company — it’s impossible not to look at the deal in this context. Aligning more deeply with AWS sends a message to Microsoft, whose Azure infrastructure services compete with AWS. Butterfield didn’t say that of course

Tech Talk

Search This Blog