Highlights
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X app update resolves black bar issue on Pixel Tablet and Fold.
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New update brings centered content display for better readability.
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Pixel device users report performance issues with Twitter/X app.
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Company opens tweet thread for users to report issues on Pixel phones.
X (formerly Twitter) has recently updated its app to better accommodate the larger screens of Google’s Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold.
Prior to this, the Twitter/X app on these devices had displayed black bars along the sides of the screen, which just doesn’t look all that great.
Pixel Tablet and Fold Getting A Better X App
The latest update however resolves this by extending the app to cover the full width of the screen.
Instead of stretching the content awkwardly across this larger space, Twitter/X has chosen a more user-friendly approach.
The main content area is centered and displayed in a size that is both comfortable for reading and interaction.
Google has a weird approach with its Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet, as apps that are not optimized for larger screens are letterboxed, and are kind of displayed in black bars around the content, instead of forcing them to display in full screen.
That’s just bad interfacing and can lead to a rather jittery experience.
Not something you want from a nearly $1,700 device.
Now the update to Twitter/X is not exclusive to Google’s devices but is particularly beneficial for them due to this specific design choice.
With version 10.18.0 of Twitter/X now available in the Play Store, users should find that the app’s interface better for larger screens as compared to earlier.
It’s worth noting that this update may also appear in older versions of the app.
In contrast, some other apps, like Meta’s Threads, have yet to implement such optimizations and still display with black boxes on the Pixel Tablet and Fold.
Pixel Phones Having Issues on X
More recently it was pointed out that some Pixel device users are experiencing several performance issues with the X app, notably slow loading times for both the app and content refreshes and problems with image loading where images either fail to load or stop loading abruptly.
Additionally, there’s a noticeable delay in posting new tweets, deviating from the usual quick response times, and a slower-than-usual response when opening notifications.
However, the company has responded to these issues and opened up a tweet thread where users can put in screenshots of their problems.
Let’s see how quickly the X team can resolve this issue.
FAQs
How Does the Latest Twitter/X Update Improve User Experience on Pixel Tablet and Fold?
The updated Twitter/X app extends to cover the full width of the screen, eliminating black bars and centering the content for a better reading and interaction experience on Pixel devices.
What Design Approach Does Google Use for Non-Optimized Apps on Pixel Devices?
Google adopts a letterboxing approach for apps not optimized for larger screens on Pixel Tablet and Fold, displaying black bars around the content instead of forcing full-screen display.
What are the main performance issues Google Pixel users face with the X app?
Google Pixel users are encountering several issues with the X app, including slow loading times for content and feed refreshes, challenges in image loading, delayed tweet posting, and slow notification responses.
How has the X team responded to these performance issues?
Fred Lohner, a member of the X mobile development team, has recognized the performance issues. He is actively engaging with the user community to gather examples and insights for addressing these problems.
What are the main performance issues Google Pixel users face with the X app?
Google Pixel users are encountering several issues with the X app, including slow loading times for content and feed refreshes, challenges in image loading, delayed tweet posting, and slow notification responses.
How has the X team responded to these performance issues?
Fred Lohner, a member of the X mobile development team, has recognized the performance issues. He is actively engaging with the user community to gather examples and insights for addressing these problems.
Can Google Pixel users contribute to resolving these issues with the X app?
Yes, Google Pixel users experiencing these issues are encouraged to share their experiences and examples with Fred Lohner and the X team, facilitating quicker identification and resolution of the problems.
What is the anticipated timeline for resolving these issues on the X app for Google Pixel users?
While X has not provided a specific timeline for resolving these performance issues, their proactive approach in seeking user feedback suggests they are working towards a solution.
Is this performance issue affecting all Android users?
The performance issues are not universal.
Some users report no significant troubles with the Twitter/X Android app.
How do the issues of the Twitter/X Android app on Pixel compare with the iOS version?
The iOS version of the app is reported to have a slicker performance with no mention of the feature set issues that plague the Android version.
Is this a new problem?
The performance issues specifically affecting Pixel devices have recently emerged, leading the development team to investigate these potential compatibility problems.
Are all Google Pixel users affected?
Some Pixel owners report that the app is running smoothly. The issues seem to not affect all users uniformly.
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