Google's 'Fast Pair' announcement for Windows shows everything that's wrong with Google

Source: Windows Central

Google is one of those companies that'southward like shooting fish in a barrel to dislike if you alive in the Microsoft ecosystem. Windows Phone fans often cite Google'southward refusal to make apps for the platform and actively block them, every bit one of the many reasons for its failure. Google has never embraced Windows salve for making the Chrome browser (and one terrible app).

Ah yes, after xiv years, Google is doing something with Android on Windows. Then dauntless.

Even in 2022, the visitor is yet a holdout from putting Chrome in the Microsoft Shop despite Opera and Firefox participating. There's no reason for this as the new shop policies have no barriers for Google; it's spite, plain and unproblematic.

That'south why yesterday'southward proclamation that Google is bringing Fast Pair to let Android phones more easily connect to Windows rings hollow with me.

To recap, Google is going to support Fast Pair on Windows, which will let y'all to "chop-chop set up Bluetooth accessories, sync text messages and share files with Nearby Share."

Google pats itself on the back by noting, "For the first time with Android, nosotros're also focused on building for other platforms, like Windows, whether it's in gaming, productivity or other areas."

Google Fast Pair Hp Google'south proposed Fast Pair only works with HP and Acer (for at present). Source: Google

Ah yes, afterward nearly 14 years, Google is now doing something with the earth'due south most popular mobile OS on the world's well-nigh pop desktop one. So brave. I'm thrilled a visitor with a market cap of 1.83 trillion was able to scrounge upwardly the resource to brand this happen.

So, why am I mad? It'south the caveat: "Nosotros're working with Acer, HP and Intel to bring these experiences to select Windows PCs get-go later this yr." That's correct, to use this feature, you'll need to buy an Acer or HP PC. Select ones, too, not all of them. Also, notice no mention of Microsoft.

At present, I'm fine when OEMs develop proprietary software (similar Dell Mobile Connect) as an upsell to purchase their stuff. It's common exercise, and yous tin't fault these companies for trying to add together value to their products. Sure, it kind of sucks, merely they do this for a skilful reason. You lot'll encounter it with PCs with foldable displays, too, to make full in the gaps left by Microsoft in Windows xi.

But I have an consequence with Google doing this directly with select OEMs on select PCs.

It doesn't have to be this way. Google could work straight with Microsoft.

Why isn't Google working with Intel (and AMD and Qualcomm) with Microsoft to make this something standard with Your Phone in Windows 11? Microsoft's Your Phone already syncs text messages, offers some sharing, and much more than, including photos and even mirroring the OS.

Moreover, pray yous don't accept a PC from another company. Maybe you have an HP laptop but a custom-built gaming rig for your desktop or something by Lenovo (the acme PC shipper on the planet). Enjoy using this great feature past Google on one PC, but not the other.

Only what a great experience with app redundancy! Users will become some neat new tricks with Fast Pair like Nearby Share, simply other features with Your Telephone.

Your Phone Surface Duo Imagine how good Your Phone would be if Google helped. Source: Microsoft

It doesn't accept to be this mode. Google could easily telephone up Microsoft and be similar, "Let'due south make the Android experience on Windows really polish and piece of work together." But they don't. And they won't.

This solution isn't rocket science. Google with Microsoft (and Intel, AMD, Qualcomm) could create a standard for Android phones in Windows eleven and and then give that model to OEMs to build into PCs. If it costs extra money due to specific hardware requirements, make it optional for PC makers.

Certain, Google has Chrome OS to recollect near, which is fair, only they're already doing some stuff with Windows; information technology'due south just half-assed. And conspicuously, Microsoft is embracing Android and Google where it makes sense (like embracing PWAs).

Google seems to be doing something similar with its plan for Google Play games on Windows. We don't know the full details still, but it seems Google is doing this (again) on its ain without Microsoft's cognition, input, or assistance (notice Microsoft and Google didn't co-announce that either). And it's probably a good bet yous won't be able to notice Google Play games in the Microsoft Shop because Microsoft has cooties or something.

Allow'southward exist clear: Google has some of the world's near used services and software, whether Gmail, Android, Chrome, search, etc. The company could exist doing much more to deliver top-tier experiences on Windows, but it chooses non to because information technology all the same acts like information technology is the 2000s. Imagine how good a native Google Post app could exist on Windows. Apple is the aforementioned, except even worse (east.g., it refuses to work with Microsoft on Your Telephone or give any help).

If Google is truly "open" and wants its services and software everywhere, suck it up and piece of work with Microsoft straight. It's fourth dimension this childish behavior ends.

The AT&T version of Surface Duo is now getting Android 11

It's here

The AT&T version of Surface Duo is now getting Android xi

Subsequently a very long await, the original Surface Duo is at present eligible to receive its over-the-air Os update to Android 11. Here is what is new and stock-still with the biggest update yet for Microsoft'south get-go dual-screen Android device.