Android 17’s new multitasking overhaul is making me look at my iPad with regret
Android Police 2026-07-01 15:15:11
Context: Google's upcoming Android 17 operating system has introduced a new multitasking feature that allows users to access multiple apps seamlessly, making the author reconsider their iPad and praise Android's approach. The new feature, called App Bubbles, enables users to keep frequently used apps a tap away, floating on top of other apps in a dedicated "Bubble Bar" at the bottom of the screen. This development has sparked a comparison with Apple's iPadOS, which has been criticized for its complex and unintuitive multitasking system.
Key Facts
- Android 17's App Bubbles feature allows users to long press an app icon and float it on top of other apps, where it can be accessed readily without the complexities of shuffling and resizing windows.
- The App Bubbles are docked in a dedicated "Bubble Bar" at the bottom of the screen, reducing cognitive load and ensuring that users always know where to find their apps.
- Apple's iPadOS 26 has introduced a fully windowed multitasking environment, which has been criticized for being too complex and unintuitive for some users, particularly those with smaller iPads like the iPad mini.
- Android 17's multitasking feature is designed to be lightweight and adaptable to different screen sizes, having been tested on various devices including the author's old Google Pixel 6 smartphone.
- The author suggests that Apple's focus on creating a laptop replacement experience with iPadOS 26 has led to a neglect of the needs of users who simply want to multitask on their tablets in a straightforward and efficient way.