Heres what it looks like in action, and how to try it out yourself.
Then it became officialonce the Android N preview came out.
To launch an app in Freeform mode, you press the square Recents button.
This will open your usual, Rolodex-style multitasking menu.
In the title bar for each app, theres a small square icon with another square inside it.
When you tap this, it opens the app in the Freeform workspace.
Just dont completely cover another app.
Freeform mode lacks any form of task bar or app switching, so its easy to lose a window.
As long as youre in the Freeform mode, any apps you launch will pop up as windowed apps.
However, thats a little hard to do, since theres no app launcher in Freeform mode.
This approach seems a little weird at first.
Its unclear how finished this feature is or even when it will be released.
According toGoogles developer documentation, manufacturers of Android N devices can choose whether to enable Freeform support.
Then again, there are still a few months before Google I/O.
Maybe well be surprised.
Freeform windows on Android are already pretty awesome.
On a proper large screen gear, they could change the way you use Android.
Youll also need to check that youve downloadedthe Android N SDK components.
If any of that sounds too intimidating,you probably shouldnt try this.
when you obtain all those parts, youll need tocreate an Android Virtual Devicerunning the Android N developer preview.
Heres how to create the AVD youll need:
In Android Studio, initiate the AVD Manager.
Click Create Virtual machine.
On the System Image screen, click Show downloadable system images.
Choose the N release labeled x86" under ABI.
This may take a while to download.
When its finished, choose this system image and click Next.
Choose Landscape next to orientation.
The rest of the default options should be fine.
Click Finish to create your AVD.
Once this is finished, start up your AVD.
Youll then need to do some tweaking to get Freeform working in the emulator.
For this, youllneed to use ADB.
At the very least,backing up your machine couldnt hurt.If yourereallysure you want to try this, continue.
First, youll need toinstall a custom recovery like TWRP.
Once youve done that, go through this:
Boot into your custom recovery.
Mount the system as read-write.
Open an ADB shell.
Entercd /system/etc/permissions
Reboot into Android and open another ADB shell.
Reboot your gear again.
you’ve got the option to find more information about these instructionsat Android Police here.
If there are any commands here you dont understand,be sure to research them first.
If youre not sure where to start,the XDA forumsare an excellent resource.
For now, its just fun to play with the toys Google will release in the future.
