Nine New Features Are Coming to Android and WatchOS

In January, Google showcased ways that Android devices can work together and be connected from your phone to your laptop to your TV and car. Erik Kay, VP of Engineering, Android, wrote that Google has progressed “in delivering multi-device experiences to people everywhere.” 

Kay highlighted seven key device-sharing features that allow users to connect and share instantly:

• Fast Pair connection on Android finds nearby accessories for devices, like headphones.
• Nearby Share on Android enables users to share content across devices.
• Casting brings “entertainment and apps from your phone to your TV” and even allows you to use Google Assistant across devices.
• Wear OS helps you control the camera app on Pixel phones and smart home devices on Google Home.
• Phone Hub in ChromeOS makes switching between phone and laptop super easy.
• The Google TV app connects to compatible TVs, and you can use your phone as the remote.
• Android Auto is rolling out with easy display for Android apps, while many cars already have built-in google apps.

Android and Wear OS Level Up

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Now, Google is taking it a step further with new features for Android and WatchOS. Sandeep Chivukula, Director of Product Management, Android, wrote in a press release that these updates aim to “improve connectivity, productivity, accessibility, and fun across your devices.”

While the updates will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona this week, Google offered a sneak preview. The main goal of these features is to improve cross-functionality across Android devices—similar to what Apple already has with its suite of devices—while also introducing new customizations to suit each individual’s needs.

Here’s what we learned:

• The Google Keep single note widget is coming! The widget can help you plan events, create shopping lists, or keep you on track of your to-do’s each day. Even better, it can sync with Wear OS and Google smartwatches so that those lists will be available—and creatable—across devices.
• Google Meet offers noise cancellation now, so it can filter out background noise if you’re taking a call on an Android phone.
• Fast Pair is coming to Chromebook. We talked about this one above as a big innovation for Google. They’re bringing it to Chromebook, so if you’ve already connected headphones on Android, they’ll automatically show up here too.
• Gboard is offering new emoji combinations in their Emoji Kitchen. You can customize stickers and make your emojis really speak for you.
• Google Wallet will offer pay animations when an in-store transaction is confirmed. The animations are more of a fun thing than a critical update.
• Chrome is making accessibility key with the ability to increase the size of content online by up to 300%—including text, images, videos, and interactive controls. This one is super important and allows you to set your preferred content size, so it stays the same.
• Wear OS 3+ will include more watch display choices and limit sound disorientation. Both are launching to help with accessibility on Android Watch devices.

If you’re already an Android user, these features should be rolling out in the coming month. Some, like Chrome customization, are already available in Chrome Beta.

If you’re not an Android user but like what these features offer, check out our review of the top Android phones and the best deals below.