Last year, Google refocused on large-screen mobile Android devices such as foldable phones and tablets. With Android 12L, the company made the operating system's UI design more suitable for foldable phones and tablets. It also promised to update several first-party apps with improved UI design. Google is now taking that agenda forward with more apps.
During the Google I/O 2023 keynote event, Google announced its plans to update over 50 apps with redesigned UIs. It will make those apps easier to use on foldable phones and tablets, offering multi-pane UI and large-screen optimizations. Here is the list of all those apps:
List of Google apps that are being optimized for foldable phones and tablets
- Digital Wellbeing
- Gmail
- Google Assistant
- Google Calendar
- Google Camera
- Google Chat
- Google Chrome
- Google Clock
- Google Contacts
- Google Dialer
- Google Docs
- Google Drive
- Google Family Link
- Google Files
- Google Fit
- Google Home
- Google Keep
- Google Keyboard
- Google Kids Space
- Google Lens
- Google Maps
- Google Meet
- Google Messages
- Google News
- Google One
- Google Pay
- Google Personal Safety
- Google Photos
- Google Play
- Google Play Games
- Google Play Store
- Google Podcasts
- Google Search
- Google Sheets
- Google Slides
- Google TV
- Google Translate
- Google Voice Recorder
- Google Wallet
- Google Weather
- YouTube
- YouTube Kids
- YouTube Music
- YouTube TV
These apps are either in the process of being updated or have already been updated with tablet-optimized designs. It means if you have a tablet or foldable phone (Galaxy Z Fold) from Samsung, you can have a better experience using these apps in the future. Similarly, Samsung has started optimizing its own apps for bigger screens.
Google stated that it is working closely with partners like Samsung and other third-party developers to bring tablet/foldable-optimized UI designs to their apps. The company showcased some of those upcoming apps, including Disney+, Minecraft, and Spotify. There is no specific timeline as to when those apps will be released, though.
