We all know and take it for granted that Android apps work on Android devices. It has always been so. Until now.
Google wants to connect apps to a wide range of platforms, and to that end, subsidiary Alphabet has announced new “multi-device experiences” for Android and provided developers with a new SDK to make it happen.
This SDK contains tools to make it easier to discover, connect, and authenticate devices, allowing your phone’s apps to go beyond the Android world. At least that’s the goal.
To start, Cross-device apps will focus on linking multiple Android devices to enable collaboration and data sharing.. Google first discussed the multi-device SDK at Google I/O last May.
Well, the SDK has just been posted online, So, now it’s up to the developers, as they are the ones who will have to use these new tools and create the features that Google has envisioned for the applications of the future.
The SDK uses almost all wireless technologies to negotiate connections, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ultra-broadband. Developers don’t have to worry about the intricacies of how two different devices interact – the SDK does all the hard work.
You can share current app states, launch apps on a secondary device, and transfer tasks between devices. Google offers several examples on their website. how connections between devices can improve applications.
Imagine that you are ordering food at a restaurant that uses mobile apps instead of paper menus. An app built with the cross-device SDK can link the phones in your group, allowing everyone to add something to an order without handing over a single phone.
It can also make it easier to access content on devices you own. The new SDK could lead to apps that seamlessly share map and location data between your Android phone, tablet, and car.
You can also start reading an article on your phone and then grab your tablet to instantly pick up where you left off.
Developers can start playing with all these features today, but the SDK is only available in preview. The final version will be available at a later date, and Google hasn’t provided a specific timeline.
It is also unknown when the cross-device SDK will support non-Android systems. Google says it intends to allow Windows and iOS devices to connect, but that’s probably more of an ambitious goal.
It is not yet known if the Android-to-Android functionality works as expected by Google and if developers will accept it. But this could change everything.
Source: Computer Hoy
I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.
