Google's 2022 Product Roadmap Includes Apple-Style Integration Across Devices

Google today announced its 2022 product plans for the Android operating system, and several of the upcoming additions clearly mirror existing Apple features. The new functionality will allow Android smartphones and Google products to match capabilities already available with the Apple devices.

google android ios like features feature
Fast Pair, a Google feature that enables Bluetooth accessories to instantly pair to an Android smartphone, is expanding to wearables, speakers, TVs, and smart home devices, so earbuds will be able to quick pair with Android TVs and Chromebooks, similar to how the AirPods work with the Apple TV and the Mac.

Automatic device switching, a feature that Apple built into the AirPods, is also coming to Google devices. Google says that it is working on technology that will allow Bluetooth headphones to automatically switch audio to whatever device you're using at the time, plus Google has plans to implement head tracking for spatial audio, adapting sound based on head position.

In addition to bringing AirPods-like features to more Google devices, Google is also adding iCloud-style messaging. Chromebook users will be able to access chat apps from their smartphones without installing them, and photos and videos on Android smartphones will be automatically available on connected Chromebooks.

For setting up Google devices, Google is introducing a feature that will allow Android users to set up their Windows PCs by bringing an Android smartphone close to the PC, which will sync text messages and files in addition to allowing for the quick setup of Bluetooth accessories. This is similar to Apple's feature that allows new devices to copy settings and content from an existing device over-the-air.

WearOS smart watches will soon be able to unlock Chromebooks, similar to how an Apple Watch can be used to unlock a Mac. Google already offers this feature to allow Android smartphones to unlock Chromebooks, but the new feature will more closely mirror what's possible with the Apple Watch.

Google is also adopting an Ultra Wideband car key feature that's similar to Apple's Car Keys. It will let a Samsung or Pixel phone unlock, lock, and start supported BMW vehicles, functionality that's already available with the iPhone.

Fast Pair and quick sharing for photos are coming in the next few weeks, while the other features are set to launch later in 2022.

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Top Rated Comments

aesc80 Avatar
48 months ago
You mean they're only starting this now??!?! Apple has the most criticism of "Oh, they're late to market on everything and make their stuff look innovative". We've had AirDrop/AirPlay/Handover/Share Password/Device Initialization for what feels like a decade now! Oh, but I'm sure Google will get the kudos for it. It sure is quiet and lonely at the top.

EDIT: As I keep editing and adding more "AirDrop" style features, the more I realize how Google were asleep on features but had such the attraction for camera lenses.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsplusmacs Avatar
48 months ago
Umm.. OK, Google...

I'm sure it will have the same "polish" as the rest of their devices.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MauiPa Avatar
48 months ago

Please, AirPlay and AirDrop are the most buggy and least reliable features I’ve ever seen.
Not for me
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jaro65 Avatar
48 months ago
Keep this in mind, those of you who keep saying that Apple doesn't invent and only copies from others.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hagar Avatar
48 months ago

You mean they're only starting this now??!?! Apple has the most criticism of "Oh, they're late to market on everything and make their stuff look innovative". We've had AirDrop/AirPlay/Handover/Share Password/Device Initialization for what feels like a decade now! Oh, but I'm sure Google will get the kudos for it. It sure is quiet and lonely at the top.

EDIT: As I keep editing and adding more "AirDrop" style features, the more I realize how Google were asleep on features but had such the attraction for camera lenses.
You’re right. But it’s not like Apple made these features reliable. Airdrop and Handover are hit or miss, AirPlay is slow and unreliable. And just this morning it took me 10 min to get my AirPods Pro and iPad Pro to connect (as my iPhone was also nearby).

I love these features but because they’re unreliable they’re not my first choice.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MayaUser Avatar
48 months ago

You’re right. But it’s not like Apple made these features reliable. Airdrop and Handover are hit or miss, AirPlay is slow and unreliable. And just this morning it took me 10 min to get my AirPods Pro and iPad Pro to connect (as my iPhone was also nearby).

I love these features but because they’re unreliable they’re not my first choice.
For me both airdrop and handover are always there...almost never missed...airdrop works flawless even with a mac just connected to the same wifi server, with "everyone" selected
there are too many features, from handover the mails, messages, pages etc to instant connect to my iphone 4G when the wifi has low signal where i am...and a lot more...you just feel them when you go, like i am to the Windows side
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)