New Google Pixel desktop-like features showcased before long-awaited Pixel desktop mode release

Google has been quietly plugging away with developing a new Pixel desktop mode for a while at this point. To recap, an early example hidden within Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 was showcased in April. Following that, Mishaal Rahman revealed a newer version of the software running in Android 15 Beta 4.1.

Now, it seems that Google intends to bring the essence of a desktop mode within Android 15 without needing to switch to a completely different environment. Instead, the company has decided to roll out desktop windowing in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, which it describes in the following terms:

Desktop windowing allows users to run multiple apps simultaneously and resize app windows, offering a more flexible and desktop-like experience. This, along with a refreshed System UI and new APIs, allows users to be even more productive and creates a more seamless, desktop-like experience on tablets.

Currently, this is only available to test on the Pixel Tablet (curr. $499 on Amazon). Also, the update will not reach stable status for a few months yet. Nonetheless, the functionality appears to be relatively well fleshed out.

As Google notes, Google has added a customisable window controls panel, as well as the option of resizing apps from any corner. Moreover, one can double-tap the new header bar to minimise or expand an app when necessary. On top of that, the taskbar can be hidden, which still shows pinned and running apps. Incidentally, the window mode runs as a dedicated app in the recents multitasking menu too; please see Google's blog post for more details.