Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Chromebook multitasking to improve with ‘split view’ (with one big catch)

By

google pixelbook review hinge
Dan Baker/Digital Trends
Now that touchscreens have become more common on Chromebooks, Google will introduce a split view for improved multitasking — but only for some apps.

The update doesn’t come from an official announcement: It was discovered in the Dev Channel in the latest version of Chrome OS. The feature was spotted in version 64’s Dev Channel by Chrome evangelist François Beaufort, who said the feature was called “Split view in Tablet mode.” Similar to how Windows 10 works, Chrome OS split view works by dragging any window to the screen’s far left or right. The system then snaps it to either side, making it easier to have multiple apps open at the same time.

chrome OS split view
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As with many things related to Android apps in Chrome OS, however, the feature may not function correctly with apps from the Google Play Store. Beaufort claims that “some Android apps don’t support snapping and therefore won’t work with split screen.” In particular, according to comments on Beaufort’s post, Android games are refusing to split. It’s an unfortunate exception, but it nevertheless solves a key Chromebook problem. It also gives Pixelbook users an easier way to handle multiple windows in tablet mode and opens the door to additional multitasking features in future updates to Chrome OS.

Related

9to5Google guesses that we should see the feature rolled out within version 64 in early 2018 based on the rhythm of previous releases.

Google brought split-screen multitasking to Android years ago in 2016, but as Android tablet are nearly extinct, Google is turning its attention to tablet mode in Chrome OS. In addition, Android on smartphones also have a split-screen mode that allows some multitasking. As it stands, multitasking on Chromebooks in tablet mode is fairly limited to fullscreen mode, even for larger 2-in-1s like the Pixelbook or Samsung Chromebook Pro.

Apple introduced a fairly comprehensive update to multitasking for the iPad in iOS 9 in 2016.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Luke Larsen
Luke Larsen
Senior Editor, Computing
Luke Larsen is the Senior editor of computing, managing all content covering laptops, monitors, PC hardware, Macs, and more.
This laptop completely changed my perception of Chromebooks
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook front angled view showing display and keyboard deck.

I get the appeal of Chromebooks -- I really do. Sometimes less is more, and an operating system that is simpler can provide a less distracting experience for the right audience. But it's never been a good fit for me.

I'm pretty bought into Microsoft's Office suite, and I'm willing to pay a premium for top-notch hardware. I want my laptop to look and feel like a serious work tool without compromises -- and that's always made me think Chromebooks weren't for me. Then I tried the HP Dragonfly Elite Chromebook.
Chrome OS hardware really can be top-notch

Read more
Why I converted my Windows laptop into a Chromebook, and why you should too
Chrome OS Flex on a ASUS laptop.

You've probably not heard of ChromeOS Flex. It's Google's program for turning crusty computers into Chromebooks -- which sounds like a neat idea as a concept. But it's primarily been marketed toward businesses and classrooms.

I wanted to give it a shot, though. I have an older Windows laptop that was dying to be converted into a fresh, snappy Chromebook. As someone who's been primarily using Chromebooks for almost half a decade, I was ready to take on the challenge to see if ChromeOS Flex might be a serviceable way to bring old laptops back to life. Despite some limitations in the end product, it's a pretty intuitive way to breathe some fresh air into an otherwise unused laptop.
Chrome OS Flex is all Chrome, all the time

Read more