Google was supposed to attend CES 2022. But like many other tech brands like Microsoft, Sony and Facebook, the tech giant pulled out due to concerns over the surge of Covid-19 cases.
There are no new hardware announcements from Google at CES 2022. Instead, most of Google’s announcements are about trying to ensure Android will work better with more devices and hoping your Android smartphone will be the centre of your digital world.
First is Google’s Fast Pair feature, which works like how AirPods connect to iPhones, will be expanding support to more devices and platforms.
However, there are no details of a definite timeline nor specific devices. Instead, Google says in the coming months, you can Fast Pair supported headphones to Google TV or other Android TV OS device.
And in the coming weeks, you can Fast Pair supported headphones to your Chromebook as well as Fast Pair Matter-enabled smart home devices to your network and Google Home.
Later this year, you can also Fast Pair your Android smartphone to your Windows PC to set up Bluetooth accessories, sync text messages and share files via Nearby Share. Google is working with Acer, HP and Intel to bring the experience to select Windows PCs.
If you have been finding setting up your Chromebook to be a hassle, Google says you will be able to quickly set up your Chromebook using a paired Android smartphone later this year.
Also, later this year, you will be able to view and respond to your Android smartphone’s messaging and chat apps on your Chromebook without having to install them.
Google is also trying to ensure you will stay in its ecosystem by allowing your paired Wear OS smartwatch to unlock your Chromebook, Android smartphone or tablet. This feature will roll out in the coming months.
In addition, Google says it will add spatial audio – available in Apple AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro – to supported headphones when you are using them with your Android smartphone and tablet. Again, this feature will be available in the next few months.
