Since the latest beta version of Android 13, Pixel Launcher has acquired an even larger grid size and some other tweaks before the launch of next year’s Pixel tablet.
On today’s Pixel phones, the “Wallpaper and Style” settings allow you to adjust the size or size of the home screen icons. These options range from a very large 2 × 2 grille to a 5 × 5 grille that feels right at home on the Pixel 6 Pro.
But as shared on Google I / O, the Pixel line is preparing to expand to include an Android tablet next year. While a 5 × 5 grill may look a bit dense on a phone, it would be a bit sparse to use with a tablet. With that in mind, the latest Android 13 Beta introduces an even larger grid size for the Pixel Launcher, increasing it to 6 × 5 (i.e., six columns and five rows).
The new 6 × 5 grid is only activated when you use a large enough device, or you can change the “smaller width” in Android Developer Options to at least 600 dpi. Once activated, a few tweaks are made to the Pixel Launcher, optimizing it for tablet use.
To begin with, when held horizontally, the Google search bar no longer has its own row, but is now hidden on the left side of the apps attached to your seat. Another interesting setting is in the Glance area, which is in the upper left corner of your first page. Because it only uses a 3 × 1 area, you can now have icons or widgets in the same row as At a Glance.
The “Home settings” for Pixel Launcher also removes the “Allow home screen rotation” option and changes the “Search your phone” heading to “Search your tablet.” In the meantime, back to the wallpaper and style settings, you’ll no longer find any options for the app’s grid size. This suggests that Pixel tablet owners will only be able to use the new 6 × 5 grid.
Overall, it’s clearer than ever that Google is using Android 13 to prepare for next year’s Pixel tablet launch. Between the broader enhancements of Android 12L and Android 13 and the specific Pixel changes we’re seeing now, the Pixel tablet is shaping up to be an exciting version.
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