While Apple may have the monopoly on cross-device integration, Google has decided it’s time to stop being left behind. Announced at CES, the company now plans to expand its Fast Pair and Chromecast technologies to tightly integrate Android, Windows, Chromebooks, and certain vehicles.
In a new partnership with HP, Acer, and Intel, Google plans to expand its Fast Pair service to Windows PCs, where users will be able to connect their Android phone to their applicable device and share Bluetooth accessories, transfer files by Nearby Share, and sync text messages.
Fast Pair will, in the near future, expand to cover televisions and other smart devices in addition to wearables and Bluetooth accessories.
The Mountain View has further announced its plans to expand its Cast protocol, where the feature will soon be compatible with more brands – enabling users to stream music or video from their smartphones to even more devices.
Another small change will introduce the capability for users to employ their Wear OS 3 device to unlock their Chromebook or Android smartphone (though the latter can be achieved through Smart Lock using certain devices).
Perhaps most tantalisingly, Google confirmed that it is developing a new technology for Bluetooth-enabled headphones which will switch audio output depending on context; for example, headphones using the new protocol could automatically switch to sync with a smartphone should a call arrive, and alternatively switch to a nearby television playing content should the call end.
