I tested Android 17 on my Pixel 9 Pro - its app bubbles are a multitasker's dream

2026-06-22 · Source: News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET · Field: Technology & Digital — Mobile Operating Systems · Depth: Novice, medium

Summary

The Android 17 update has been released for Pixel devices, with installation taking approximately 30 minutes on a Pixel 9 Pro. This update introduces several significant features aimed at enhancing user experience and multitasking capabilities. Key additions include a Desktop mode, which transforms a phone into a full desktop experience when connected to an external monitor, mouse, and keyboard, similar to Samsung's DeX. App bubbles allow users to group and easily switch between frequently used applications, providing a desktop-like multitasking interface. For content creators, the update adds a selfie camera option to screen recordings, enabling narration with on-screen presence. Improvements to the recent apps page now display full app names and a dropdown menu for actions like pinning or splitting the screen. Additionally, Android 17 introduces early, albeit unstable, GUI Linux support, hinting at future full desktop environment capabilities. Users can also control HDR content display with enhanced HDR brightness settings.

Key takeaway

For Android users seeking enhanced productivity and multitasking, updating your Pixel device to Android 17 is highly recommended. You will gain access to powerful features like app bubbles for streamlined app switching and a Desktop mode for a full PC-like experience with external hardware. Content creators should enable the new selfie camera option in screen recordings to easily produce instructional videos. Explore these new capabilities to significantly improve your daily mobile workflow.

Key insights

Android 17 significantly enhances multitasking and desktop-like functionality, bridging mobile and desktop experiences.

Principles

• Mobile operating systems can extend to desktop environments
• Modular app management improves multitasking efficiency

Method

To activate app bubbles, long-press an app launcher and tap "Bubble" or the square icon. Enable selfie cam in screen recordings via Quick Tiles.

In practice

• Utilize app bubbles for rapid switching between frequently used applications
• Connect to external displays for a full desktop experience with Desktop mode
• Enable selfie cam in screen recordings for instructional content

Topics

• Android 17
• Mobile Multitasking
• Desktop Mode
• App Bubbles
• Screen Recording
• Pixel Devices

Best for: General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET.