Following a big 2021 for Wear OS, Google is continuing the momentum with the upcoming ability for watches to unlock Chrome OS and Android devices. On a similar front, Google is expanding what digital car keys can do this year.
Google has two big auto-unlock features that are both named “Smart Lock.” On Chrome OS, Smart Lock lets a paired Android phone unlock your Chromebook and skip the long…
Last year saw the emergence of dongles that let you use Google’s phone-powered car UI for navigation, messaging, and entertainment wirelessly even if your vehicle doesn’t support that natively. Motorola is now making a wireless Android Auto adapter.
In the coming…
Chrome OS getting ‘Quick Setup’ via Android, ability to reply to phone chat apps, Fast Pair, more
January 6, 2022
This year, Google wants to improve the cross-device experience across Android and Chrome. At CES 2022, Google previewed a slew of upcoming integrations for Chrome OS.
It starts with a new “Quick Setup” out-of-box experience for your Chromebook. According to Google…
Fast Pair is coming to Google TV, Android TV, and Matter-compatible smart home products
January 6, 2022
Google’s Fast Pair system allows Android users to easily connect their headphones to smartphones and tablets, and going into 2022 it’s expanding. Fast Pair is coming to Google TV and Android TV OS devices.
Google today revealed Fast Pair is coming to Google TV and Android TV. This will be supported with headphones already supported by Fast Pair, such as Google’s Pixel Buds or Jabra’s…
Google is bringing Nearby Share and Fast Pair to Windows PCs
January 6, 2022
While Chrome OS is Google’s “desktop” platform for laptops and other computers, many Android users turn to Windows for a more powerful operating system. Google is now fully embracing that trend, with plans to bring Nearby Share and Fast Pair to Windows PCs.
Coming…
Chromecast built-in coming to Bose as Google works on headphone auto-switching, spatial audio
January 6, 2022
At CES 2022, Google is making a handful of audio-related announcements across Chromecast and Bluetooth headphones, including auto-switching on Android and Chromebooks.
In the “next few months,” according to Google, Bose smart speakers and soundbars will get Chromecast…
In addition to new features for the regular Auto experience, Google is announcing several Android Automotive features at CES 2022, including a YouTube app.
Android Automotive is built right into a car instead of requiring a connected phone. Google Maps has been optimized for electric vehicle charging and routing, and there’s the Play Store to download apps from other developers.
The latest…
Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series is on its way, and leaks keep piling up to show off the hardware and design. One recent report pointed towards the base model Galaxy S22 being one of Samsung’s smallest flagships in years. In a new video, we get a look at just how the Galaxy…
Google fixes Chromecast controls for most apps on Android 12 with January Pixel update
January 6, 2022
The January 2022 update for Pixel phones fixes Android 12’s inability to use your phone’s volume rocker to adjust Chromecast volume, at least for most apps.
With the release of Android 12, Pixel phones lost their ability to adjust the volume of an active Chromecast…
Poll: Which design should Apple have used for its Battery Pack accessory for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13?
January 6, 2022
The MagSafe Battery Pack was one of Apple’s most controversial products of 2021. Launched for the iPhone 12 and naturally expanded to the iPhone 13 line, it received mixed reviews about its design and usability. Apart from that, today we discovered a prototype of this product that had a glossy finish. If you could choose, which design should Apple have used for its MagSafe Battery Pack…
