When Apple rolls out new products or services, the hook is their ecosystem. People can make fun of "it just works" when things don't work. However, many ways Apple devices and services have an interplay between them is a huge benefit. Airdrop for starters is amazing. Airplay is another no-hassle way to sling content from one device to another. Even AirPods are part of it with a single-pairing that carries to all your other devices. At CES, Google has unveiled their plans to develop their own ecosystem.
The company announced several new features that will be available in 2022:
Coming weeks:
Pair earbuds to Google TV, Android TV and Chromebook devices, which is similar to Apple’s AirPods pairing feature for Apple TV boxes and Macs
Mark German writing for Bloomberg
Quick sharing of photos and videos from Android phones to Chromebook, which is similar to AirDrop and Photo Stream on Apple devices.
These two features alone are fantastic. A pairing a set of earbuds once instead of to every device you own, is a huge convenience. Of course an Airdrop clone is something Android users would easily see huge benefits from. Google isn't stopping there though.
Later in 2022 they'll allow a Chromebook or Android device to get unlocked if you're wearing a Wear OS watch, use your phone to start a BMW, and speed up setup of a Chromebook by auto-transferring wifi passwords and settings from a nearby Android phone.
Steve Jobs said many times that "great artists steal" and I love the initiative Google is using here to take a run at their own ecosystem. This is a big lock-in for Apple customers. If done right, it can easily be a big lock-in for Android customers too. Competition in this space is a fantastic thing. I am very-much rooting for Google here.
Before You Go...
TimeMachiner is my one-person project I run in my off time when I'm not working my day job in IT. If you enjoy my work, consider subscribing, leaving a tip or becoming a member. Your support is appreciated and goes a long way to keep my work going.