Here’s where every Google app is getting an Android tablet UI, and which updates are live [U: Google TV]

At I/O 2022, Google announced that it would update more than 20 of its first-party apps for the bigger screen in a demonstration of its commitment to the form factor. This will undoubtedly improve the experience for existing owners and is meant to encourage other developers to do the same. Here’s every Google app on Android with a tablet update and what’s still to come.

Google Apps with Tablet UI

Reverse chronological order, latest updates on top

—google tv

Update 8/28Google TV was one of the apps that had to be redesigned at I/O. A tablet-optimized version is now available, but without the content U styling featured on stage. The primary change is a navigation rail with centered tabs that replace the bottom bar. We’re seeing this facelift with version 4.33.6.0.17, which hasn’t rolled out widely on any Chromebooks yet.

Back in May, Google’s Slides featured a much wider rail with rectangular indicators noting your current tab. Meanwhile, Content You Iteration wants to redesign the app bar so it’s more seamless. There is a problem with the existing design your stuff page where the top tab is used.

—Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides

Update 8/3Google announced last week that Drive and Documents/Sheet/Slides are getting tablet optimizations. Some features have been introduced, including the ability to:

Drag and drop images/text from another app (like Chrome) into a document or spreadsheet cell. Similar to Google Keep.
You can upload files to Google Drive by dragging and dropping them.
You can open two Drive instances side-by-side by opening a folder’s overflow menu and selecting “Open in New Window.”
[Not live in our testing] “You can also add links to Drive files by dragging the file into an open app like Keep.”
Physical keyboard shortcuts in Disc, Document and Slide to select, cut, copy, paste, undo and redo.

-Youtube Music

Update 6/6: Tablet optimization announced for YouTube Music at I/O 2022 has now been rolled out. It sees the Android app getting a redesigned playlist view on the big screen, which is a big part of the service. There is a two-column UI where cover art and other details appear on the left side and the song list is on the other side. [Update 6/30: The redesign was introduced to albums later on.]

Also read: Here’s where every Google app is getting an Android tablet UI, and which updates are live [U]

It’s the latest in tablet update for YouTube Music, with the team that teamed up with earlier this year to let you watch more content in the carousel (listen again, your favorites, mixed for you, etc.) There are other customizations in Now Playing (two-column view with controls on the left and your next queue on the right) and side-by-side settings.

-watch

Update 6/3: The Google Clock 7.2 on the tablet begins by introducing a left-side navigation rail that consequently gives more vertical space to the app. The second major change is the use of a two-column layout, when in landscape orientation, throughout the application.

-The calculator

Update 5/25: Version 8.2 of Google’s Calculator app brings a two-column layout where you can always view your calculation “history” on tablets and other large screen devices. Other parts of the UI have shrunk accordingly and it is particularly well suited for multitasking.

—google lens

Update 5/18: Version 13.19 of the Google app Allows Google Lens to be opened in landscape mode. The visual search tool was previously limited to portrait orientation on Android.

—google photos

Google’s flagship tablet app on Android is Google Photos, and this update was released in January of 2021. It’s not much different from the web UI. A navigation rail on the left edge means you can see slightly more vertical content, while showing more tabs – compared to the bottom bar – without looking cramped. In addition to Photos, Search, Sharing and Library, you have quick access to On Device, Utilities, Collections, and Trash. One little stuff you’ve come across Google in recent months is a pill-shaped indicator to note which tab you’re viewing instead of just highlighting the icon.

At the top of the screen, next to “Google Photos” is a search bar with rounded corners. When viewing a photo fullscreen, swiping up displays the right-hand pane, while overflow in the upper-right corner of the viewer shows actions with accompanying icons.

-Google Calendar

I’ve already pondered how Google Calendar is my favorite tablet app, mainly because of the great day and schedule views where you see the entire month with a list of events on the left, while pictures bring the background to life. . It doesn’t look like the company is planning any changes.

While there is clearly reuse from the website, the Calendar team has meaningfully separated the app for tablets, and this is surprisingly a rare occurrence for Google.

—chrome

Chrome on an Android tablet is almost identical to the desktop interface, considering its use of tab strips and the omnibox layout. There is also support for multiple windows to aid in multitasking.

-youtube

YouTube is quite well optimized for tablets with two-column views, and Google’s I/O preview only shows the player screen. It can always switch to a navigation rail.

-Google Translate

The translation has already told about tablet optimization on the platform. In general, it’s better for this app to be sparse and have a lot of spacing, given its (physically) shared interface/tool.

—Files by Google

—google podcasts

Google apps getting changes to more tablets

-Google Maps (see below)

Maps for Android already has a two-column view, but an upcoming update replaces the full-width bottom bar with a fitted bar in the left panel.

Future Google Tablet App Updates

Google Translate: Look up
maps: Look up
photos: Look up
family link: Instead of a navigation rail, Family Link seems to use the always-visible navigation drawer.

Google HouseRails :centered navigation, although it looks ridiculous with just two tabs. A two-column layout might be better.
GmailNavigation rail with a drawer button at the top for viewing your folders and labels.
google tv: Navigation Rails When You Can Make Upcoming news feed highlights As part of the wider content that you redesign.

messages: Two-column layout, although it’s unclear whether the UI shown above is more for foldables than tablets that require device pairing, such as Messages for the web.

google one: Navigation drawer with heavy use of cards in app body.
Youtube Music: Look up
google lens: On tablets today scene search only works in portrait orientation.
google duo: Centralized control.