With Android 3.0 Honeycomb, Google introduced a new tablet UI, which it sadly phased out with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Thankfully, it did not remove the feature completely, which allowed custom ROM developers to re-enable it in their ROMs.
However, in Android 4.4 KitKat, Google completely removed the tablet UI making it impossible for custom ROM developers to restore the functionality.
A new Xposed module from developer Exalm restores the functionality on devices running bone stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat. The module only restores the separate system and navigation bar from the Tablet UI and does not automatically enable the dual-pane view in the system apps.
The full feature list of the module are as follows:
- Fully working System Bar, with navigation buttons on left side and system indicators, clock and notifications on the right
- Notification/Quick Settings popup
- IME switcher
- Compact mode
- Recents pinned to the left side
- KitKat Immersive mode and translucency are supported
Like any other Xposed module, installing Tabletkat requires users to have the Xposed framework already installed on their device. As mentioned above, users might face some stability issues on custom ROMs and are recommended to use a near stock build of Android 4.4 as well.
Download: TabletKat
