On Wednesday, Google announced a series of Android updates aimed at bringing convenience and ease to users. One of the most significant changes is the expansion of Fast Pair to TVs, Chromebooks, and smart home devices. Google announced the headphones will also be able to automatically switch audio from Android devices to tablets, seamlessly. The company also announced quick setup of Chromebooks with Android phones. Similarly, Wear OS-based smartwatches will be able to unlock your Chromebook and Android devices.
Quick Pairing was for Android phones since November 2017 to allow users to quickly connect Bluetooth headsets to their smartphones. Proprietary standard that adopts Apple’s quick pairing technology and is credited with keeping people connected Android phones with Bluetooth accessories more than 100 million times.
Google is planning to expand Fast Pair to newer devices by partnering with various manufacturers and offering new experiences.
Starting in a few weeks, Google says users will be able to connect their Quick Pair-enabled Bluetooth headphones to Chromebooks automatically in one click when they are first turned on.
In addition to Chromebooks, Fast Pair will work with smart TVs based on Google TV or Android TV in the coming months to help users quickly connect compatible headphones to their TVs without going through a step-by-step process.
Matter’s smart home devices will also get Fast Pair support in the coming weeks. It will allow you to instantly connect Matter-generated smart home devices to your network, Google Home, and other accompanying apps.
Google also revealed that it is developing a technology for Bluetooth-enabled headphones to allow them to automatically transfer audio to the device you’re listening to. For example, if you are wearing headphones to watch a movie on your Android tablet and receive a call on your phone in the middle of your viewing time, the movie will pause and the headset audio will automatically switch to your Android phone. It will return to your tablet once the call is disconnected.
In addition, Google also announced that it will support spatial audio for the headset to work with Android devices in the coming months. The company says it will allow the headset to adjust the sound based on head movement. Remarkable, Apple had Spatial sound support on its devices for a while.
Google also announced that users will be able to set up new Chromebooks instantly with their Android phones, and provide instant access to information like Google logins and Wi-Fi passwords without asking require the user to enter them manually on the new hardware. The experience will take effect later this year, although Google has yet to detail all the Chromebook models and Android versions that will receive the update.
Google is providing quick setup support for Chromebook users via Android
Image credit: Google
Users will also get unlocking and access to their Chromebook and Android phone or tablet using Bring the operating system smart watch when the devices are nearby. This sounds similar to ‘Unlock with Apple Watch’ feature introduced by Apple last year.
Chromebook users will also have the ability in a dedicated Phone Center section to view and reply to messages they receive on their Android phone directly from the larger screen of their computing device. It will be available later this year, the company said, without describing how it will enable the experience.
The Phone Center will also include Photo Gallery to allow users to access their most recent photos and videos on their Chromebook.
Google also announced an expansion of Fast Pair for Windows PCs to allow users to quickly set up Bluetooth accessories, sync text messages, and share files using the Nearby Sharing service. The first update will come to devices from Cherry, HP, and Intel later this year.
Microsoft had Your phone app to allow Android users to access their messages and notifications directly on their Windows PC.
To help users stream the music and podcasts they’re listening to on their phones to louder audio solutions, Google revealed that it’s working to bring Chromecast soundbars and built-in speakers. Bose will be the first brand to offer a new experience on its smart speakers and soundbars over the next few months.
Bose launches soundbars with built-in Chromecast
Image credit: Google
Last month, Google introduce the digital car key function will use the phone with Ultra Wideband (UWB) to unlock the car. It will initially be limited to Samsung and Google Pixel phone and will only work with BMW car vehicle. However, Google says digital car keys will work on more Android phones and cars later this year.
The Android manufacturer also revealed that they are working on features including request Google Assistant to warm up and cool down your car, lock and unlock, get information including remaining battery power. These features will first appear on select vehicles from Volvo Cars Google said in the coming months.
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