In 2022, Android will receive auto-switching a la AirPods, and in the next months, Google wants to enhance Bluetooth headset functionality on Android phones. In order to add features used by iPhone and AirPods users, it aims to enhance its Quick Pair technology. Together with approved headphones, Android phones, Chromebooks, and auto-switching of audio sources, including Android TV and specific Windows PCs (expected to launch in 2022 but not yet disclosed).
For spatial audio on Android, Google will also start supporting head movement tracking, which will modify the sound based on your head movements. For a few music services, it already provides minimal spatial audio functionality. Nonetheless, the business now offers comprehensive details on spatial audio, including the supported music streaming providers. It’s currently unclear whether Android versions and headsets are supported.
A few of the many Quick Pair features scheduled to debut “in the next months” and possibly even in the “coming weeks” are auto-switching and spatial audio. Google has developed a mechanism called Quick Pair that enables users to quickly and easily pair Bluetooth devices with a few pop-up windows without spending much time in the system’s settings.
It is made to match headphones with a variety of devices associated with the account, just as Apple’s system. In contrast to Apple’s solution, Google’s Quick Pair feature set is still in development and is somewhat complex. To make it simpler for consumers to control their devices, a system is added to standard Bluetooth in both instances, which results in a rather restricted model.
Samsung makes Samsung products. With the headphones, Samsung has created its own lock-in ecosystem that supports some of the functions that Google anticipates becoming widely available this year. Google’s Fast Pair, however, has more manufacturers.A few more Quick Pair capabilities will be available in 2022 in addition to these two. Google will also make Quick Pairing available on Chromebooks, Google TV, and “other Android TV OS” devices. What’s more intriguing is that Google is beginning to make some of its Quick Pair technology available for Windows PCs. To provide support for Nearby Sharing and text message synchronization, Google is collaborating with Acer and HP.
The announcements made by Google for CES 2022 include more than simply these audio enhancements. Google’s “Better Together” brand is extending messaging sync for Chromebooks and any app using the Quick Pair UI, and it’s scheduled to launch in 2022. to put in smart home devices. Even the integration of Chromecast into Bose soundbars and speakers as well as Wear-based Android phone unlocking are under development.
In general, Google’s announcements are an effort to give Android users many of the ecosystem advantages that Apple customers enjoy. The distribution, though, will likely take some time and be a little awkward because it’s Google and Android. Many of these capabilities, according to Google, can be used without updating the Android System completely.