Google is testing a new navigation bar for Android P that looks similar to Apple’s new gesture and UI on the iPhone X. Google accidentally revealed the new navigation bar in an Android developers blog post (cached copy), and the company removed a screenshot it posted of it in action. The new navigation bar no longer includes a multitasking button, and the center home button looks far smaller and pill-shaped.
Google accidentally reveals Android P might have iPhone X-like gestures
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
is a senior correspondent and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years.
9to5Google reports that Google is testing a new navigation bar that’s similar to the iPhone X, with a swipe up gesture that reveals the multitasking UI. It’s not clear if the pill-like button, that looks similar to the one found on a leaked Moto X5 image, still works as a button, or is simply an identifier to swipe up for home like the iPhone X. Google appears to still be including its back button control too, although 9to5Google reports that this only appears in the context when a back button is required.
Google is only testing this navigation bar right now, and the company has previously tested other navigation bar changes in past Android versions without ever shipping them. Still, Google is fully supporting screen notches like the iPhone X or Essential Phone with its Android P update, and a new gesture-powered navigation bar would certainly make it easier for Android developers to make better use of bezel-less displays. We’re expecting to hear a lot more about Android P at Google’s I/O developer conference next month.
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