Android N’s Freeform Multi-Window Mode Will Not Be Available on Any Nexus Device

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Published 27 Jun 2016

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The hidden freeform multi-window mode found in the current developer preview builds of Android N is unlikely to official with the final release of the OS, but many advanced users hoped that Google would at least let the feature remain hidden in the OS, so that it could be activated manually. 

Android Developer Advocate Ian Lake has now revealed that Google will not be supporting freeform multi-window on any Nexus device when Android N releases, including the Nexus 9 and Pixel C. He does note that the required APIs will be available so that other OEMs could implement the feature in their devices if they want to.

The hidden freeform multi-window mode in Android N runs all Android apps in a windowed mode that can be dragged around and resized to one’s liking — just like you would on a PC. While the feature makes little sense on a smartphone, it will be incredibly useful on tablets.

It remains unclear why Google has taken this decision. Is it because the company thinks the feature is still not ready for final release? If so, why allow OEMs to implement it in their devices? Anyways, on the positive side, any app that is updated to support the split-view multitasking mode in Android N will automatically be compatible with freeform multi-window multitasking in Android N as well.

[Source Android Developers | Via Android Police]