Skip to main content

Files by Google Android app gets improved tablet UI

 Hopefully, we will see more of Google's Android apps receive tablet optimizations. 


With the introduction of Android 12L, Google has been focused on making better and more optimized apps for Android tablets and Chromebooks. I'm sure this has been in motion for some time but we are now starting to see the fruits of that labor. Earlier this year I noticed that the Google Podcast app received an update that better utilized the space with two rows instead of one podcast listing stretched across the screen.

Now we're seeing the same thing with the Files app. Google is now using a navigation rail on the left side. Similar to the Google Photos Android app. This makes navigating Files by Google much easier and more importantly, the app is utilizing the space effectively. Elements in the app is not stretched across the screen creating a more aesthetically pleasing app to look at on a large screen and that's the goal with Android 12L.

The tablet UI improvement can also be seen when the app is in portrait mode or turned vertically. Elements in the app are centered with the navigation rail still on the left.


For comparison, in the Files by Google app on an Android phone, the navbar is at the bottom. Makes sense for the form factor for sure. 

I'm definitely digging the new look and want to see more of these updates in Google's own apps in the near future. The other benefit of Google taking larger screens seriously is that developers would have no choice but to get on board or risk being left behind. I see that as a win-win for us consumers.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Samsung Tab S7 | Long term review (Video)

With the Samsung Tab S8 just around the corner, I thought now would be a good time to share my thoughts and experience with the Samsung Tab S7. Samsung got so much right with the Tab S7 but I do have some nitpicks. Check out the video for more

Bellroy Lite Daypack | The backpack for all day trips

The lightest backpack I ever used is also one of the toughest and most durable too. In this video, I give you a tour of Bellroy's Lite Daypack and how it may fit into your life. So far I have enjoyed the backpack and it has become my go to long trip companion. Check out the video for more.  

Shouts out to the YT Music team

  I must admit, I was a bit of a skeptic when Google announced that Google Play Music was going away in favor of Youtube Music awhile back. Then I remember when Google said that your music library will be transferred over from GPM to YTM. I immediately thought, oh no. How can this be done without error for millions of users? Yet they seemed to have pulled it off. I had no issues with transferring my music over and everything was there right where I left it in GPM.  If you haven't already I suggest making the switch and transferring your music from GPM to YTM if you intend to. Google gave notice to it's GPM users that you will no longer be able to make transfers after February 24th, 2021. Making the transfer is easy and is done in the background. Check out the community post here . As far as features and how YTM compares to GPM I would say that it's pretty much on par. For me, the main features are there and I like how the improvements YTM has over GPM. The cool thing is tha