{
  "id": 16742573,
  "title": "Android handhelds just got a massive multitasking upgrade with this launcher",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/android-handhelds-just-got-a-massive-multitasking-upgrade-with-this",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-27T11:38:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Authority",
    "slug": "android-authority",
    "url": "https://www.androidauthority.com/cocoon-3-1-beta-update-3728453/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cocoon 3.1 beta, a new launcher for Android handhelds, has been released, offering a major upgrade in multitasking capabilities. Enhanced Device Access, a key feature of this update, allows users to suspend, resume, and switch between games directly from the launcher grid. This is made possible through a new \"Enhanced Device Access\" mode.\n\nThe update also brings performance optimizations for lower-spec handhelds, a drag-and-resize grid editor, precise battery percentage counters, and the ability to swap between dual-screen display outputs. These improvements make the Cocoon 3.1 beta particularly beneficial for modern handhelds such as the AYN Thor.\n\nTo utilize these features, users simply need to press the Home button while in a game, suspending the title on the launcher grid. They can then quickly return to the game by pressing A, or shut it down by pressing X, along with any background companion apps. On dual-screen devices, users can also change active display outputs on the fly.\n\nThe Cocoon 3.1 beta release is available for sideloading via GitHub and includes a built-in auto-updater for future versions. This launcher is part of a growing trend of Android emulation frontends, including ES-DE, Socket, and Blip, that have significantly enhanced the Android handheld experience.",
  "summary": "Cocoon 3.1 beta lets players quickly freeze and switch between active games.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}