In 2022, the journalist expressed their preference for Google Calendar as their favorite first-party app for Android tablets and foldable devices. After an update detailed at I/O 2024, Google Calendar still holds that top spot for the journalist.
The update includes a feature called “panel expansion” that allows users to easily allocate more screen space for a specific layout or quickly switch to a single layout. This feature is especially useful when viewing Schedule, Day, or Week view, as it allows users to see a monthly calendar by holding down and swiping right on the screen. This adjustment also applies to viewing event details, making it easier to plan without the need to switch devices or screens.
The journalist appreciates the unique feel of the Google Calendar UI on tablets, as it takes advantage of the available screen real estate to display more content without overwhelming the user. The expansion of the functionality panel enables desktop-level approaches on a tablet app.
Furthermore, the journalist highlights that all dual-column apps are expected to adopt panel expansion in the future, supporting activity embedding in Android 15 and the material3 adaptive library.
The journalist mentions that the ability to personalize user interfaces was previewed by Google in the previous I/O, emphasizing the expansion of the dashboard as a step towards creating more “personal,” “expressive,” and “energetic” interfaces for Material You tablet applications.
In addition to discussing the Google Calendar update, the journalist provides a roundup of other tech news from 9to5Google, including Google’s release of Android 15 Beta 2.1 with a private space fix, a comparison between Pixel 6a and Pixel 8a, the rollout of Magic Editor to older Google phones, and the upcoming Snapdragon X Elite laptops.
The journalist also mentions various updates and developments in the tech industry, such as Chromecast with Google TV’s fourth update of 2024, the introduction of a new ‘Add to Chromebook’ badge and tabbed PWA, and Google’s exploration of on-device AI and Gemini Nano applications.
Overall, the journalist highlights the significance of the Google Calendar update, the potential for panel expansion in other apps, and the broader trends in technology and software updates happening in the industry.
Article Source
https://9to5google.com/2024/05/21/google-calendar-tablet-app/
