Google unveiled a number of new features at CES today. The winner is probably the new Quick Share system, developed in collaboration with Samsung. This will replace Google’s Nearby Sharing, which was introduced in 2020.
It’s interesting to see Google adopt the Samsung name for what used to be a similar service. The new Quick Share is considered the best of both worlds. Google says it has “integrated experiences” with Samsung and thus created the best built-in default option for peer-to-peer content sharing across all types of devices running Android or Chrome OS.
Additionally, the company is working with “leading PC manufacturers” like LG to expand the new Quick Share to Windows PCs as a pre-installed app in the future. With the new system, just tap the Quick Share icon and you get a list of available devices nearby.
Of course, you can choose who can detect your device and send files: everyone, just your contacts, or just your devices. The new Quick Share is expected to begin rolling out to current nearby sharing-enabled devices in February.
Moving forward, Fast Pair will expand to Chromecast with Google TV within the next month and reach even more Google TV devices by the end of the year. Once you put the accessory into pairing mode, all it takes is one tap to connect your compatible headphones or speakers to your Google TV. There will also be simple audio output controls, allowing you to quickly switch back to default TV audio whenever you want.
Starting today, you can cast TikTok content from your phone to devices with Chromecast built-in. Soon this will also apply to live videos on TikTok.
Google says that in 2024 the LG TV range will come with Chromecast built-in, as will the LG Hospitality and LG Healthcare devices, so you’ll be able to cast from your phone to the LG TV in your hotel or hospital room. Google says there are now over 220 million Google TVs and other monthly active Android TV devices on the market.
A new cast feature is coming later this year that will let you move songs playing on Spotify and YouTube Music from your compatible Pixel phone to your docked Pixel tablet when it’s nearby. This way, if you are listening to music on your phone while traveling, you can switch, for example, to your tablet when you are at home.
In the future, LG TVs and some Google TV devices and other Android TV devices will serve as hubs for Google Home, making it easier to add devices that support the Matter protocol to your home network and control them locally with the Google Home app.
Google also recently added new features to Android Auto, including the Chrome browser and a way to customize the wallpaper on your car’s infotainment screen.
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