The problem of apps not optimized for Android tablets is not new. If we look at the past ten years, it is striking that in 2013 (and indeed before that) we faced the same inconveniences and obstacles. At that time we also had the problem that the hardware was not very powerful. But again: developers always take into account the capabilities of the platforms on which their applications appear. It shouldn’t be an excuse either. Smart devices dedicated to your favorite apps. Software plays an important role in this.

The difference with the iPad

If we look at Apple, it is noticeable that the apps on the iPad always look better. Not only Apple has taken care of this, but other developers have also done so and are still doing so. As a result, iOS and now iPadOS apps always look better on tablets than Android apps. Not only does it look nicer, it also has nicer animations. Developers also sometimes add functionality and options that you won’t find in an Android alternative. How did this difference arise?

As is often the case in life, this has to do with money. Developers often have limited time and resources to work on applications. Then you logically put more effort into a product that you know will recoup the investment. The Android ecosystem may be more diverse, but it’s also more difficult to develop. The iOS and iPadOS platforms are more unified and more tightly managed by Apple. This makes it easier for developers to improve the app experience. After all, they know exactly where they stand.

to choose

iPadOS developers also know better how users interact with apps. This is not evident in the Android ecosystem. The range of tablets is much larger. There are also Android skins. These are layers of software that manufacturers develop themselves and place on top of the operating system. This way they can present their own interface. For example, Samsung has One UI. OnePlus uses OxygenOS and Xiaomi users are provided with HyperOS.

So, as a developer, you’re faced with a choice: Do you create an app that works well on a wide range of Android devices? Or do you invest a lot of money, time and resources into a fun experience with just a few products? So far, the developers have chosen the first option. This is pretty crazy, considering the large number of Android users. This choice does not guarantee success, because many apps do not stand out in the sea of ​​providers. If developers decide to optimize, there is often a delay. This means that the application falls into oblivion.

He plays games

Many people buy a tablet to play games on every day. The large screen is ideal for games that require a little dexterity, such as puzzle games. Although you can play well on one Android tabletThe experience is even better again on iPad. Games run a little better and also launch earlier on the iPad. Developing games for the iPad is easier and therefore more interesting in scope.

Performance matches on IPAD They are also often at a higher level. Developers do not have to take into account a wide range of Android tablets with different specifications. One processor is not the same as another. Sometimes it’s really about knowing what works and what doesn’t for Android. The Google Play Store also offers a lot of junk, as this market is more open than the iPadOS market. These unwanted things can also be harmful to your devices. So, you understand why the image of Android tablets has been so negative in recent years and developers have not done much with them.

Change has begun

We now live in a different era. Manufacturers and developers are increasingly looking to invest in devices with larger screens. This is because many applications have been released, among others TVs. He has too Smart screens They entered. Manufacturers and developers also have to do this, because users can be found on such platforms. Manufacturers often use the same or similar processors. As a result, the experience slowly became standardized.

And then of course there is Foldable smartphones. Several versions of this have been released over the past five years from Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Motorola, Honor, Xiaomi, Techno, and even Google, among others. Although the market share of foldable smartphones is not very large yet, manufacturers are investing heavily in it. Now that Google is on board too, it’s time for a change. Google previously did this with Android 12L, a version of the Android operating system developed specifically for tablets.

Read also: Value for money: 5 really good foldable smartphones

More modifications

And the matter did not stop with the arrival of Android 12L only. In the summer of 2022, Google also announced that Google Play, the main download store for Android, has been optimized for the larger screens of Android tablets. Not only does this make the shopping environment look better, but specific apps are also available for tablets. A year later, we see Google making more changes to the Android tablet experience. This involves a number of important modifications. We can infer from this that the company is finally taking responsibility for the previously suboptimal tablet experience.

For example, Play Store app pages have been further optimized for a clearer display on tablet screens. Videos on game pages will now display full width at the top. This gives you an instant impression of the game. The same pages for both apps and games now support vertical layout. This highlights the information much better; Important information is displayed earlier. So you no longer have to scroll a lot to find out more.

New guidelines

There are also now new guidelines that improve their placement in app search results in the Google Play Store. If your app supports certain tablet functions, people are more likely to connect with it. This means that your application becomes more visible. It is also important that tablet apps have a portrait and landscape orientation. This way it looks good either way and you don’t see any black bars. Google continues to put its tablet apps in the spotlight, for example in Editors’ Choice.

The redesigned interface of the Google Play Store plays a major role in the changes. This makes the content accessible to a wide range of people. From now on you will find the main menu on the left. This puts it within reach of your left thumb. This is especially useful when you hold the tablet horizontally, which many people do. The images have also been made larger. Everything seems a little tighter than before. A good shopping experience plays a major role in the success of apps.

Not unimportant: search has also improved. Within the Google Play Store you can now search for apps that have some type of split screen. Enter your search query on the left and see the results. All information related to the application you clicked on appears on the right. This way you won’t have to switch between windows and everything will be clearer. Finally, Google has also put in place all kinds of guidelines for optimizing Android apps for larger screens. It seems like the company now really wants to make something of it.

It is also interesting: How good is a tablet as a hybrid workhorse?

Good reason

The mentioned changes do not occur without reason. Google itself, of course, sells a tablet (the excellent Google Pixel Tablet) and a foldable smartphone (the Pixel Fold, which is not available in the Netherlands). These devices require work to optimize Android apps for larger screens.

This can create a vicious cycle: the better the experience becomes, the more people will use tablets and foldable phones. This is a reason to improve the experience even more. Google apps actually look better on tablets. The ball is now in other developers’ court.