Last Updated on March 10, 2022 by Anu Joy
Google recently announced the launch of Android 12L for tablets and foldables from companies such as Samsung, Lenovo, and Microsoft. While it will take a year for the big-screen devices to receive the new Android version, it has already started hitting the Pixel devices as Android 12.1, starting from the Pixel 3a all the way through to the Pixel 5a.
A tablet-specific update is rolling out for smartphones, let’s find out what it has in store for the Pixel smartphones.
Android 12.1 Update Changelog
Android 12L has started rolling out to Pixel devices including Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a as Android 12.1. However, the Google Pixel 6 series will receive the update later in March. While Android 12L is deemed to be a tablet-focused update, it does not seem to be arriving for Android tablets anytime soon. However, we can expect it to arrive later this year.
As far as the changelog is concerned, the tablet-specific features of Android 12.1 won’t be able to offer much to the phones. The Android 12.1 update for Pixel smartphones brings the ability to turn off Android 12’s big lock-screen clock and change wallpapers faster just by long-tapping your home screen. Further, it adds a new fingerprint unlocking animation for the Pixel 6, and you can now toggle the size of the lock screen’s clock.
Also Read: Google Announces Android 12L For Samsung, Lenovo, And Microsoft Devices
On the other hand, tablets would get exciting features like a new notification shade that separates quick tiles and notifications. Further, it introduces a two-column layout for settings and a taskbar that lets users select apps to run simultaneously.
It is rather strange that an update particularly designed for big-screen devices is only debuting on smartphones. According to Google, the actual 12L tablet hardware will be launched by the end of this year. Considering the fact that the beta testing of Android 12L started back in October 2020, it’s a long wait for users before they finally start receiving the stable update for tablets.
Have you received the Android 12.1 update on your Pixel device? Do let us know in the comments section below.
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