The upcoming Pixel Tablet could ship with a 64-bit only version of Android
 

The upcoming Pixel Tablet could ship with a 64-bit only version of Android 13



While Apple switched to 64-bit-only support with iOS 11 in 2017, Android still supports legacy 32-bit applications. However, Google is in the process of switching to 64-bit-only support, and last year’s Android 12 was the first version of the OS to support 64-bit-only builds. While the company did not make the switch with the recently released Android 13, it is reportedly working on a 64-bit-only version of the OS for the upcoming Pixel Tablet.

According to Mishaal Rahman, Google is currently testing a 64-bit-only build of Android 13 for a device codenamed ‘Tangor.’ For the unaware, that codename refers to the upcoming Pixel Tablet, which the company showcased during its I/O keynote earlier this year. If the Pixel Tablet launches with a 64-bit-only version of Android 13, it will be among the first Android devices to drop 32-bit support.

Interesting: “Move tangor to 64-bit only”

Tangor, the rumored Pixel Tablet, may ship with a 64-bit-only build of Android 13. That should reduce memory use, but it means the tablet won’t be able to run any 32-bit apps.https://t.co/C3d3Y5pS24 pic.twitter.com/1SKh3pPcG6

? Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) August 16, 2022

Dropping 32-bit support on the Pixel Tablet will likely reduce RAM usage, but the tablet won’t be able to run 32-bit applications. But that shouldn’t be a problem for most users, as all recently updated apps on the Google Play Store offer 64-bit support due to the mandate Google put in place in 2019.

Given that ARM plans to drop support for 32-bit applications from future mobile CPUs, it’s high time Android switched to 64-bit-only support. The 64-bit-only build of Android 13 for the Pixel Tablet could be a starting point for the transition, but we’ll probably have to wait a while to see how things pan out. Since Google hasn’t issued an official statement on the matter, we can’t be sure if the 64-bit-only build of Android 13 will see the light of day. Google could use it only for internal testing or scrap it entirely.


The post The upcoming Pixel Tablet could ship with a 64-bit only version of Android 13 appeared first on XDA.



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