Google unveils new Android features at CES 2024

Google has unveiled several new Android features and updates at CES 2024. These include a Quick Share feature for easy file transfer across devices, Fast Pair support for Chromecast and Google TV devices, and casting capabilities for TikTok. These features aim to help users get more done with their phones, laptops, Bluetooth accessories, TVs, smart home, and car. Here are the details.

Quick Share

Google introduced Nearby Share in 2020 to let users share files easily and quickly across their devices. Samsung devices also have their own file-sharing capability called Quick Share. Now, the company has collaborated with Samsung to combine the best of Nearby Share and Quick Share into a single cross-Android solution under the Quick Share name.

“We’ve integrated the experiences and created the best default, built-in option for peer-to-peer content sharing across all types of devices in the Android and Chromebook ecosystems. To make sharing even more seamless between devices, we’re working with leading PC manufacturers like LG to expand Quick Share to Windows PCs as a pre-installed app,” said Google in a blog post.

Quick Share will start rolling out to Nearby Share enabled devices from next month.

Fast Pair support comes to the big screen

Fast Pair is a feature that enables users to easily connect their Bluetooth accessories, such as earbuds, to their devices with minimal interaction. The company is now extending this feature to Chromecast and more Google TV devices. To use Fast Pair, users need to activate the pairing mode on their Bluetooth accessory and tap on Connect when they see a pop-up on their device. They can also switch back to their default TV audio anytime using the audio output controls.

Fast Pair will be available on Chromecast from next month and on Google TV devices later this year.

Chromecast improvements

Google is bringing the support to cast TikTok contents from phone to Chromecast built-in devices. Further, users will be able to cast Live videos from TikTok to Chromecast-enabled devices. Google also announced that more devices with Chromecast built-in will be launched, such as the 2024 LG TV series.

In addition, Google will expand Chromecast built-in to LG Hospitality and Healthcare so that when a user is traveling, they can continue to enjoy their favorite movie or TV show from their streaming apps on the LG TV in their hotel room, without requiring them to log in to each app.

Enhanced interoperability across devices with Matter

Google has revealed that LG TVs and some Google TV and Android TV OS devices will soon work as Google Home hubs. This means that users with Nest Hub, Nest Mini, or a compatible TV can easily connect Matter devices to their home network and manage them locally with the Google Home app.

Android Auto Updates

Electric vehicles that support Android Auto will be able to sync their battery data with Google Maps. This feature will enhance the electric driving experience by showing the expected battery level upon arrival at the destination, recommending charging stations, and calculating the charging time based on the vehicle model. Google will roll out the update next month starting with the Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.