Google has announced a slew of upcoming Android improvements that are slated for release in 2022.
New Features
- One of the biggest areas Google is improving is its Fast Pair feature. Fast Pair is designed to speed up and simplify the process of pairing an Android phone with Bluetooth devices. According to the company, it is working to support additional devices, including TVs and smart home products. Google plans to extend this functionality to Chromebook, as well.
- Users can already unlock their Chromebook with their Android phone. Google plans to expand this functionality to include WearOS devices, so a user will be able to unlock their phone, tablet, or Chromebook with their Android watch. This technology allows a phone to unlock a paired vehicle without the need to physically hold the phone close to the lock. Instead, users will be able to leave their phones in their pockets and still be able to access their vehicles.
- Google is also improving Phone Hub to provide Chromebook access to a phone’s chat apps, without the need to reinstall them on the Chromebook. This will make it easier to stay in contact via a Chromebook when a person’s phone is out of reach.
- Google is also adding spatial audio support on Android to headphones and will give users an immersive sound experience based on the supporting content. It did not give details on which Android versions will support spatial audio and hardware details for the same. Apple has already spatial audio support for its iPhones, Macs, and AirPods.
- It will also add a new feature in the coming weeks, where the camera roll on Phone Hub will let users share photos and videos from their Android phone to a Chromebook.
