Developer preview: Enhanced Android desktop experiences with connected displays

Android is launching several updates across the platform, including the rollout of Android 16, a Developer Preview for enhanced Android desktop experiences with connected displays, and updates for Android users across Google apps. The connected displays support on compatible Android devices is now in developer preview with the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 release. This feature enables users to attach an external display to their Android device and transform a small screen device into a powerful tool with a large screen. The connected display update builds on the desktop windowing experience, which is set to launch later this year for users on compatible tablets running Android 16. Desktop windowing enables users to run multiple apps simultaneously and resize windows for optimal multitasking. Google and Samsung have collaborated to bring a more seamless and powerful desktop windowing experience to large screen devices and phones with connected displays in Android 16. For developers, connected displays and desktop windowing present new opportunities for building more engaging and productive app experiences that seamlessly adapt across form factors. The Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 release includes several new features, such as flexible window tiling, multiple desktops, and enhanced app compatibility treatments. Developers can try out these features today on their connected display with the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 on select Pixel devices. To ensure optimal app experiences on connected displays, developers should follow best practices such as building apps optimized for desktop, implementing features for top productivity, handling dynamic display changes, and supporting external peripherals.