Android Q to bring new Fast Pair feature, improvements to Bluetooth settings

Fast Pair will become a characteristic to help users track downwards missing Bluetooth accessories

Google's Fast Pair feature is getting an update in Android Q to help users find lost devices and manage Bluetooth settings easier.

Fast Pair, short for Google Fast Pair Service (GFPS), launched alongside the Pixel Buds and Pixel two in 2017 to improve the first-time pairing of smartphones with Bluetooth accessories. Since then, more than manufacturers have adopted Fast Pair, and Google added back up for syncing saved Bluetooth accessories across Android devices sharing a Google account.

At present, GFPS is getting a 'Find My Accessories' feature. It'll work with all Bluetooth devices that support Fast Pair and hooks into Google'southward Find My Device app. The feature displays where an accompaniment was last disconnected on a map in the Find My Device app. Further, it'll estimate the range based on connection quality, as well as let you lot unpair the accompaniment or have it play a tone that gets progressively louder.

With true wireless earbuds growing in popularity, this kind of tracking feature is certainly welcome. It'southward worth noting that Google isn't the only one bringing it to the masses. Tile recently partnered with Qualcomm and other Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) scrap manufacturers to include its 'finding applied science' into Bluetooth accessories.

While Tile and Google both offer a service to help you observe a lost item, Tile's works a little different. Information technology uses all Tile-enabled Bluetooth devices to course a sort of heat-map to help people find things, every bit long equally information technology'due south in range of another Tile-enabled Bluetooth device. Google's solution, withal, appears to apply your smartphone'south GPS and location services to determine where it disconnected from a Bluetooth device to help you discover it once again.

Apple is also reportedly looking into making a Tile-like item tracker to aid people find missing AirPods.

Revamped Bluetooth settings

Google as well showed off a revamped Bluetooth settings menu coming to Android Q. It isn't live in the Developer Preview yet, but they may come in a futurity beta.

To start, some of the new features volition address some long-continuing issues with using true wireless earbuds. The latest Bluetooth settings will testify a notification when y'all open the charging case of supported earbuds. That notification will show the battery levels of both earbuds besides every bit the case itself. Users will besides be able to view this information in the Bluetooth carte.

The new settings folio volition as well go the key management hub for all Bluetooth devices, including options for forgetting an accessory, managing Assistant and notification settings, changing bear on controls, decision-making audio tuning and toggling in-ear detection.

Nonetheless, the search giant won't provide a standardized gear up of options still. Instead, Google would rather have manufacturers offer their ain companion apps and use the Slices API to deliver actionable toggles to the Bluetooth settings page.

Finally, Google is working with manufacturers to support additional Bluetooth profiles, likewise as BLE-only devices with Fast Pair. As such, users should await to run across more GFPS-enabled accessories this yr.

Source: XDA Developers