Chrome Embraces Android 14’s Predictive Back Gesture

• Google introduces Predictive Back: Preview home screen, prevent accidental app exits.
• Android 14 to have Predictive Back, available on Samsung devices.
• Selective enablement for developers, Material You integration planned.

Google recently unveiled its plans at the I/O 2023 event to incorporate the Predictive Back feature into Android 14. This exciting development indicates that Google Chrome developers are also gearing up to adopt this feature. Notably, the Predictive Back feature will be available on Samsung smartphones and tablets running One UI 6.0, which is based on Android 14, later this year.

So, what exactly is Predictive Back? Essentially, as you swipe away from the edge of the screen, Predictive Back previews the home screen while shrinking the current app. Google believes that the addition of back-to-home animations will prevent accidental app exits and provide users with enhanced control. Those interested can already test this feature in Android 13.

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Moreover, Predictive Back will extend its functionality to the navigation bar, offering an improved user experience. Enabling this feature in Android 13 involves accessing the Settings menu, clicking on System, selecting Developer Options, and tapping on Predictive Back animations. In Android 14, Predictive Back will be enabled by default and provide users with a preview of the previous screen they will land on after completing the gesture. During the Google I/O 2023 event, Google showcased various advancements, such as Reddit experimenting with collapsing posts as users swipe back to the feed, and Chrome prototyping the display of the previous web page as users swipe back.

For developers, there is an option to selectively enable predictive back animations for specific activities rather than applying them universally to the entire app. Additionally, Material You components will leverage Predictive Back animations in Side Sheets, Search, and Bottom Sheets. Furthermore, the Predictive Back feature will soon be incorporated into the bottom navigation bar and rail as well.

Google’s announcement regarding the adoption of the Predictive Back feature in Android 14 has garnered attention. This feature, which provides a preview of the home screen and enhances user control, will be integrated into Samsung devices running One UI 6.0. Users can already test this feature in Android 13, and it will become a default option in Android 14. Developers can selectively enable predictive back animations for specific activities, while Material You components will take advantage of Predictive Back in various interfaces. With these advancements, Google aims to improve the user experience and streamline navigation on Android devices.

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