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Google's next project is making its ecosystem more like Apple's

Google's Better Together project will bring Apple-like integration to the company's ecosystem

Google is working to bring Apple-style ecosystem integration to its family of devices and services so that they "work better together."

The new "Better Together" endeavor, announced during CES 2022, will include familiar features like the ability to more quickly and easily pair Bluetooth headphones to Android devices, or the option to unlock paired Android or Chromebook models with a Wear OS 3 smartwatch — something that has been an Apple Watch feature for a while.

Additionally, Google is making it easier to share content across Android and Chromebook devices. One feature will allow Bluetooth headphones to automatically switch to any device that a user is currently on, much like AirPods do.

Google is also making a number of third-party integrations as part of its "Better Together" initiative. For example, it'll allow users to cast audio content to other brands, including Bose smart speakers and soundbars. Android users will also be able to integrate their smartphones with Windows laptops — allowing them to use Fast Pair and sync text messages — starting with Acer and HP devices later in 2022.

The new integrations and convenience features are set to roll out later in 2022, although the exact timeframe ranges from "in the coming weeks" to "in the coming months." They'll debut on Android smartphones, Chromebook, and Android TV, among other devices.



25 Comments

igorsky 9 Years · 775 comments

“Apple-style”…that’s funny. All of Android’s existence is Apple-style. 

jas99 11 Years · 173 comments

Good luck getting it to work. 

And wait about five seconds for each feature to be exploited by black hats emptying bank accounts. 

itinj24 5 Years · 51 comments

And then they’ll kill it off in the blink of an eye. 

geekmee 13 Years · 647 comments

Is this admission that what Google is doing, isn’t working??

lkrupp 19 Years · 10521 comments

But isn’t the goal to break up Apple’s ecosystem because it’s unfair and anti-competitive for both users and developers? /s