Android 13 remains to be a number of months away however particulars of a brand new audio and media-related function, within the works for the subsequent iteration of Google’s working system for smartphones, has been noticed on-line. Google is reportedly engaged on a brand new function that would permit customers to maneuver media playback between gadgets. The function might provide related performance as Apple’s Handoff function that permits iPhone homeowners to switch media to and from the corporate’s HomePod audio system. Google can also be engaged on redesigning the working system’s output picker for media on Android 13, as per one other report.

In a mockup of a brand new person interface of a “Media Tap to Transfer” (TTT) workflow sourced by Android Police, Google is proven to be engaged on a function to tell customers on their Android telephones (or “media cast sender” gadget) of accessible audio gadgets (or “media cast receiver” gadgets) close by. The function might work with Google’s Casting protocol, utilized in its Chromecast gadgets and its good audio system, in accordance with the report.

A mockup of the Tap-to-Transfer function asking a person to maneuver nearer to the ‘receiver’ gadget
Photo Credit: Android Police

It can also be value noting that the demo of the function leaked by Android Police reveals a small on-screen chip advising a person to maneuver nearer to the gadget to be able to play audio. This means that the function might use {hardware} on a person’s gadget like an Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip or Near Field Communication (NFC), in accordance with the report. Apple presently helps related performance with HomePod audio system as a part of its Handoff feature. However, it’s presently unclear whether or not Google gadgets will likely be supported, or the performance will likely be obtainable to different gadgets.

In the in the meantime, in accordance with one other report by Android Police, Google may be redesigning the audio output picker for the subsequent Android model, or Android 13. The output picker is a function that was added in Android 10 permitting customers to pick from a listing of accessible gadgets that may play music close to them, corresponding to good audio system, wi-fi earbuds and extra. In the work-in-progress have a look at the brand new output picker sourced by Android Police, Google seems to have given the picker rounded corners, redesigned quantity sliders displaying the gadget’s title, energetic gadgets are denoted with a tick, whereas unavailable gadgets are greyed out.

As there are nonetheless a number of months till the subsequent model of Android is launched, it’s too early to inform whether or not the MTT function will likely be obtainable in its present kind, or whether or not it’s going to even make it to the subsequent Android launch. Google might additionally determine to carry the function again for longer, such because the scrolling screenshots function that was not prepared in time for Android 11. Similarly, the redesigned output picker might additionally see enhancements or redesigns earlier than the subsequent model of Android (or Android 13) is launched later this 12 months.