Skip to main content

Google is making Android devices work better together with expanded Fast Pairing

Promotional image for Tech For Change. Person standing on solar panel looking at sunset.
This story is part of Tech for Change: an ongoing series in which we shine a spotlight on positive uses of technology, and showcase how they're helping to make the world a better place.

Google is moving boldly into 2022 with new features designed to bring all the devices in your life into harmony around your Android smartphone of choice. The company made number of announcements at CES 2022 to help make your devices and accounts work more seamlessly.

Fast Pair everything

Android’s Fast Pair technology already helps you get up and running with Bluetooth accessories like headphones and speakers, but now Google is expanding it beyond audio connectivity to add a whole collection of new devices.

Picture of Android TV showing Pixel Buds being automatically paired using Fast Pair.
Google

This means that in the coming months you’ll be able to use Fast Pair to quickly link up your headphones with your Chromebook, Google TV, or other Android TV OS device, add Matter-enabled Smart Home devices to your network, and even automatically switch your Bluetooth headphone audio based on the device you’re listening to.

Recommended Videos

So, for example, if you’re wearing headphones to watch a movie on your Android tablet and a call comes in on your smartphone, the movie will pause and the audio will automatically switch over to your Android phone. Once you hang up from the call, it will also automatically switch back to your tablet and resume the movie where you left off.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Google is adding its automatic unlock features to WearOS, meaning you’ll soon be able to unlock your Chromebook, Android phone, or tablet with your paired smartwatch whenever you’re close by.

Taking it on the road

December’s Pixel feature drop also brought long-awaited support for digital car keys, allowing owners of recent BMW models to unlock their vehicles simply by tapping their Pixel 6 on the car door. The feature also rolled out to Samsung Galaxy S21 phones around the same time.

Animation illustrating Google Pixel 6 being used to unlock a car door.

At this point, the car key feature only works via NFC, meaning you have to pull out your phone and physically hold it near the car door. That’s set to change later this year, with Google announcing today that phones that offer Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology will gain the ability to unlock and start supported cars right from your pocket.

Google also says that it’s working to bring digital car keys to more Android phones and vehicles later this year, while also adding the ability to securely and remotely share car keys with friends and family.

In the coming months, owners of Volvo cars will be able to do even more, with integrated support for Google Assistant that will let you warm up or cool down your car before you even walk out the front door. You’ll also be able to remotely start your engine and lock and unlock your car, and even ask Google Assistant to let you know how much battery power or fuel you have left. Volvo is just the start; Google promises there will be more car brands to follow later this year and into 2023.

Jesse Hollington
Jesse has been a Mobile Writer for Digital Trends since 2021 and a technology enthusiast for his entire life — he was…
Google is testing shortcut for the upcoming ‘AI Mode’ for search on mobile
Google search on Android app.

Google is ramping up efforts to make AI overviews more comprehensive and visible in search results. As it looks to evolve the overviews into more elaborate responses, the search giant might also include them in search results on mobile apps on Android and iOS.

Google is reportedly experimenting with a shortcut within its Android app for the expected "AI Mode," which is currently being tested internally. Android Authority reverse-engineered the WIP feature and discovered an AI mode shortcut that sits right under the search bar.

Read more
With this new Android 16 feature, you’re one click away from enhanced protection
Someone holding a phone showing the Android 16 logo on its screen.

Android 16 is set to offer improved security for apps and services. Android Authority says this feature allows users to enhance their device’s security with a single click, surpassing Google’s Advanced Protection Program introduced in 2017.

The current feature is available to anyone with a Google account. It is recommended for individuals at higher risk of attacks, such as political campaign staff, journalists, activists, and business leaders. The program implements security keys or passkeys for signing in, provides additional protection against harmful downloads, and safeguards personal information by restricting access to Google Account data. Additionally, it offers enhanced protection against phishing and unauthorized access.

Read more
X Premium+ tier gets an absurd price hike, thanks to Grok-3 AI
Details of X Premium+ subscription seen on a phone.

Less than a day after announcing the Grok-3 AI model, Elon Musk-led X has hiked the price of a subscription tier that opens the doors for xAI’s next-gen AI chatbot. Access to the new Grok-3 model is available for only X Premium+ subscribers, and folks who pay for the new SuperGrok standalone subscription.

As of the first week of February, the Premium+ tier started at $22 per month, or $299 for the annual plan. Following the Grok-3 launch, the monthly plan is now listed at $40, while the yearly plan will now cost $396 per account.

Read more