Tom's Guide Q&A With Director Of Multi-Device Experiences At Google

  • 6 months ago
Android phones have long been behind the iPhone when it comes to seamless connectivity between devices.

Mark Spooner speaks with Sandeep Chivukula, Director of Multi-Device Experiences at Google
Transcript
00:00 >> Hi, we're here at CES 2024 talking with Sandeep Shivakula
00:04 who heads up multi-device connectivity at Google.
00:07 And I think you might be wondering,
00:09 so what does that actually mean?
00:10 I think there's a perception out there
00:12 among people who buy Android devices, for example,
00:14 that if maybe they buy like a Samsung phone
00:16 and OnePlus earbuds and an LG TV,
00:18 that they're not going to work well together.
00:21 I feel like part of the initiative and the big push
00:23 that you're making here at CES and beyond
00:25 is to make sure people know
00:26 that they can work well together and seamlessly.
00:29 Is that right?
00:30 And what are you actually trying to do with this role?
00:32 >> Yeah, so thanks for having me, Mark.
00:35 And you know, Android's all about choice.
00:37 We've always been about choice.
00:39 That's what attracts people to purchase an Android device.
00:42 And we bring that same ethos
00:45 to this idea of multi-device connectivity.
00:48 I think the framing is a little bit not quite correct
00:51 in that it's not about choice versus convenience.
00:53 We think that people should have a choice
00:55 and still be able to have these seamless experiences
00:59 that are intuitive.
00:59 And that's what Android's been investing in
01:01 for the last few years.
01:02 And that's what we're continuing to invest in now as well.
01:06 And so I can talk about that in a little bit more detail.
01:08 So what we mean by this is an average person
01:13 has 20 plus devices in their life.
01:16 And that sounds like, well, that's a big number, Sandy.
01:18 Like, are you sure?
01:19 Well, if I just think about my own life,
01:22 I get up in the morning
01:23 and by the time I'm brushing my teeth,
01:24 I'm playing some song on my bathroom speaker.
01:27 And then I move that music over
01:28 while I'm making my breakfast over in the kitchen.
01:30 And if I get a phone call in the middle of all of that,
01:33 I grab my earbuds, stick them in,
01:36 and I'm walking out the door.
01:37 And I expect all of those things to just work.
01:41 And this is the daily life of millions of people.
01:44 And with 3 billion different devices
01:46 from different manufacturers, different brands,
01:49 different OEMs, different underlying hardware,
01:53 and Android's best positioned to make those journeys
01:56 very seamless for the people that use Android.
02:00 >> Okay, so what are some examples
02:01 that you're showing off here at CES
02:03 to make people's lives a little bit easier?
02:05 >> Yeah, yeah, so there's a few different things
02:07 that we're doing.
02:08 I'll talk about some of the successes from last year
02:09 and then kind of weave that into what we're showing.
02:12 We launched a couple of features
02:13 that intelligently adapt to the user's needs last year.
02:16 One is around audio switching,
02:17 making sure that the audio moves to the right device,
02:20 that your earbuds are connected to the right device.
02:22 The other one, FastPair.
02:24 FastPair is the technology we use
02:26 to seamlessly connect new Bluetooth accessories
02:29 to your phone.
02:30 We launched this in 2017.
02:31 We have over 400 plus different headphone models
02:35 supporting FastPair.
02:37 We've been investing in that continuously
02:38 to make that, again, journey seamless with choice.
02:41 And last year, we had 660 million people pair FastPair
02:47 with their phones, right?
02:50 That's 2x the year before.
02:52 So when you give people this choice
02:54 on top of that seamless connectivity, they'll adopt it.
02:58 It's a very well-allowed technology.
03:00 So this year, one of the first things that we're doing
03:01 is extending that to Chromecast with Google TV.
03:05 So you can imagine, I don't know,
03:07 maybe you have a partner or a friend
03:08 who likes to fall asleep as soon as you start the movie.
03:11 Right, so you're sitting on the couch with them
03:13 and that happens 'cause they're very predictable that way.
03:17 And you don't want to disturb them,
03:19 so you can just grab the Sony Link buds
03:21 that are by your side that have already been paired
03:23 to your phone, pop 'em in,
03:26 click on one notification on your TV,
03:29 and there you can continue to enjoy the movie
03:30 while they get a comfortable sleep.
03:32 >> So is that all you need to do?
03:34 Like, you don't necessarily need to enter pairing mode,
03:36 for example, you just pop them in
03:37 and you'll see a notification come up on your TV?
03:39 >> That's right, so that's one of the beauties
03:41 of FastPair is that we take
03:43 that core underlying Bluetooth technology
03:46 and then we build on top of that
03:47 so that it's intelligently adapting
03:49 to the user and their context.
03:52 So let me actually talk about that
03:53 because that also ties into what you're asking me.
03:56 Well, how do we do this?
03:57 Like, it's hard to do different underlying hardware,
04:01 different platform, apps,
04:06 and now I'll actually introduce the next bit
04:07 is around operating systems as well.
04:09 We'll talk about this.
04:10 So the way we do this is we've built
04:12 a technology layer on top of this
04:13 that starts off being rooted in flexibility,
04:18 but then there's two other bits that are important here,
04:20 which is around robustness and quality.
04:23 Now, as we integrate these different partners,
04:25 we want to make sure that we're doing this
04:26 in a methodical way so that once we say that,
04:29 hey, this is going to work across this ecosystem,
04:32 it continues to be seamless, intuitive,
04:34 and smooth for our users.
04:36 So then, okay, that sounds great,
04:38 so how do you actually do it?
04:40 There are two signals we use that are very important.
04:42 One is proximity and context, right?
04:46 So what devices are nearby?
04:48 What's the proximal devices?
04:50 And then context, meaning what is the person trying to do?
04:53 Hey, I'm on the couch putting these earphones in,
04:55 watching TV.
04:57 I should probably do something intelligent there.
04:59 >> So does that qualify as AI, or is it like a form of it?
05:03 >> You know, on that particular feature,
05:05 I'm not sure that I want to tie into everything being AI,
05:08 but there are other places where we use AI technologies
05:12 and machine learning, which is what Google is very known for.
05:16 We bring that in, the best of Google, into Android
05:18 so that we can deliver these intelligent features.
05:21 >> Got it, okay.
05:22 >> So coming back to what else did we announce at CES?
05:26 The second bit is, great, you've got these devices connected.
05:29 The setup out of the box is just perfect, awesome,
05:32 but users don't just set up devices,
05:34 they want to be able to get things done in their day-to-day.
05:37 So a simple one that we think about is
05:41 you've got a photo that you've taken on your phone,
05:43 or you've got some text or some links.
05:46 How do we get that across to your other devices
05:50 and to your friends?
05:51 And so, Android ecosystem, we've taken two solutions.
05:55 We had a solution from Samsung
05:56 and a solution for the Android ecosystem.
05:59 We brought them together, combining the best of both of these
06:03 into what we're calling QuickShare.
06:04 So now there's one single, intuitive, fast solution
06:09 across all of Android.
06:11 And so that's one of the big announcements
06:12 that we made in working in partnership
06:15 with our good partners at Samsung.
06:16 >> So how is that going to pop up on devices
06:18 and where is it available now,
06:20 or is there a timetable for it rolling out?
06:22 >> Yeah, so we're rolling that out shortly
06:23 and we can get you the details on the timing.
06:26 It's going to be available in the same place
06:28 where the nearby share icon used to be on the share sheet.
06:32 All the entry points will be the same,
06:33 but instead of having two different entry points,
06:36 it'll just be one so that it is,
06:38 you do it one way on Android.
06:40 >> Right, and does it need to be a certain level of Android
06:43 in terms of the version, like Android 14,
06:45 or can it be previous?
06:47 >> So it will be previous as well.
06:49 So we'll get back to you with the specific details there.
06:52 Our intent is, you know, look,
06:54 our intent is to give the broadest number of people
06:57 the broadest amount of choice.
06:58 And so by definition, we're looking back
07:00 at how far back can we take
07:02 some of these compatible features.
07:04 And so that's the motivation there.
07:07 >> And it's going to be seamlessly working with Chromebooks.
07:10 And I think you also announced a partnership with LG,
07:12 which I guess would be the first Windows 11 partner.
07:15 >> Yeah, so let me talk about that a little bit.
07:17 So on one hand, we're making it easy across Android,
07:21 but nearby share has always worked with Chromebooks as well,
07:24 and this new Quick Share will continue to do that.
07:26 We also launched last year a Windows program.
07:30 And so that's been seeing pretty good reception.
07:32 And so this will continue to expand to that.
07:34 And what you're talking about, our partnership with LG
07:37 as one of the leading PC OEMs,
07:40 is pre-installing that binary onto their laptops
07:43 so that, you know, we talked about this idea of setup.
07:47 You take this brand new laptop that you brought
07:49 and it just works with your Android phone.
07:51 That's the kind of magic that we want to create for Android.
07:54 >> So what about other laptops?
07:56 Is the goal to work, to get it on the OS level
07:59 with Microsoft, are you working with them?
08:00 Or is the goal to really go directly to the PC makers?
08:04 Like what's the best route?
08:05 >> Yeah, so you know, I think today we've got a downloadable
08:10 that you can just go to the nearby share website
08:12 and download, and that's available to all users.
08:15 Ideally, you know, would we want that,
08:17 and we're working with other leading partners
08:18 to make sure that it's pre-installed.
08:20 And we're always looking for ways to partner
08:22 and make that experience even more seamless for our users.
08:26 >> So you can't say if Microsoft says we like this?
08:29 >> Well, you know, we're always open to conversations.
08:32 >> So what about casting, 'cause that was another thing
08:35 that was announced at this show.
08:36 The ability to cast TikTok, for example, to the nearest TV.
08:39 What can you tell us about that?
08:41 >> Yeah, so you know, if you've noticed a theme here,
08:43 I started by setting up, you know,
08:45 a accessory device to your phone.
08:47 Then we went from, hey, phone to phone working well.
08:49 Then we went from phone to a operating system
08:52 that is not a Google operating system,
08:55 working with the phone.
08:56 So when we think about Android and multi-device journey,
08:59 kind of tying back to your first question,
09:01 we don't think about it just from Android to Android.
09:03 We think about it from that user-centric perspective,
09:06 to making sure that the people who are investing
09:09 in Android ecosystem are able to work with all the devices
09:12 that they've chosen to put in their life,
09:14 regardless of who it comes from.
09:17 And so, and those are the kinds of industry partners
09:19 who have that same mindset,
09:20 those same idea that we need to maximize people's choice
09:25 and give people the best devices for their life.
09:28 And these are the folks we partner with.
09:29 So LG's TVs, they work on webOS,
09:32 again, not a Google system.
09:35 But we've ported the Chromecast built-in work
09:38 over onto their underlying technology stack,
09:41 understanding their hardware, their operating system,
09:44 working very closely with their talented engineering teams.
09:47 And now you can take the,
09:49 so people watch a lot of videos on their TV,
09:52 hopefully like this one.
09:53 And, you know, one of the very natural human things to do
09:59 is to like, oh, hey, Mark,
10:00 look at this cool video I have, right?
10:02 And instead of passing the phone around,
10:04 now you can cast it to like the big screen
10:05 that you have on your wall
10:08 through this built-in Chromecast.
10:10 Again, no setup needed, you can just start it and cast it.
10:13 >> And it would work in the same way
10:15 as if you had a Google TV, right?
10:16 Or a regular Chromecast?
10:18 >> It'll work in the same way as casting to a Google TV, yes.
10:21 >> So is the goal then to then spread that
10:23 across other TV operating systems as well?
10:26 So for example, you know, Samsung has their own,
10:29 and Tizen, and you also have Roku.
10:31 So is that the goal,
10:32 to just like spread it as far and wide as you can?
10:34 >> Ultimately, you know,
10:36 if we go with this idea that Android's about choice,
10:41 you know, we want to work with every industry partner
10:43 who's open to collaborating,
10:45 who shares our worldview that users need to have choice.
10:48 And so across all of the different features
10:51 that are multi-device,
10:53 'cause not every Android feature is multi-device,
10:55 we are open to making sure that
10:56 that goes to where our users are.
10:58 >> And I think, you know, so up until now,
11:01 the cynic might say,
11:02 maybe you're playing catch up with Apple
11:04 'cause they've had a lot of these functionalities before,
11:06 like AirPlay, and AirDrop, and that sort of thing.
11:09 But do you feel like in certain ways
11:10 that you're pushing beyond, you know, what they're doing?
11:12 I mean, obviously choice, in terms of having,
11:14 you know, device choice and brand choice
11:16 is one of those strengths.
11:17 But do you see like other ways
11:19 where you feel like you're pushing beyond
11:20 maybe what else is out there?
11:22 >> So what's interesting is, you know,
11:25 one of the reasons that I was attracted to this job
11:28 is that this idea of this seamless connectivity
11:32 across devices, it's not a new idea.
11:35 If you look back at the original, like,
11:37 Star Trek from 1968, you could pick up a tricorder
11:40 and it's your tricorder.
11:41 You put it down and you can go onto the terminal
11:43 and the work just seamlessly moves.
11:45 So these ideas are not new.
11:47 It's not necessarily like, oh, well, hey,
11:49 this is some new thing that people have come up with.
11:51 What's important here is that
11:53 being able to give people that ultimate choice
11:57 in like which device do you pick up
11:59 and, you know, allowing people to choose the best device
12:02 for them, right?
12:04 And giving, and so, and that's the hard part.
12:07 And I think that's the important work that we need to do.
12:09 >> What about the discovery aspect?
12:11 So let's say, for example,
12:12 like people who are a little bit more tech savvy
12:14 might know how to cast something to the nearest TV.
12:17 But let's say your device knows
12:19 that you're in front of the TV
12:20 and then you're watching a TikTok video
12:22 and it gave you the option, a subtle prompt,
12:24 like, hey, do you want to cast this to your TV?
12:26 So you don't want to be intrusive,
12:28 but you also want people to discover features
12:30 that they might not know that are there.
12:32 So is that something that you're looking at?
12:34 >> Right, that's a really good question.
12:35 So we introduced a couple of new features this year
12:38 and also one last year,
12:40 this idea called Media Nudges last year
12:42 that allows you to say, hey, you've got this available.
12:45 Do you want to watch this on a better screen?
12:46 This year we showed a feature
12:48 where you can simply get near a Pixel tablet
12:52 with your Pixel Pro phone
12:54 and you're able to move music from Spotify
12:57 from one device to the other
12:58 because they understand, again, as I said,
13:00 context and proximity.
13:02 And so to do that,
13:04 we had to work all the way
13:05 from the underlying hardware layers,
13:07 abstract it up to understand what's nearby,
13:09 who's doing what, through the OS,
13:12 all the way up to the app level
13:14 and working with great partners like Spotify
13:16 to make sure that that entire journey is seamless.
13:20 >> So it sounds like there's a lot of hard work
13:22 going on behind the scenes,
13:23 but you just don't want the user to know about it.
13:25 >> Well, and that's exactly it, right?
13:27 Because the experience should be magical
13:28 and seamless and intuitive for the user, right?
13:31 Like my team should do that work
13:34 so that the user can go, the person,
13:37 I actually don't even like that term,
13:40 'cause it's people underneath, right?
13:42 And people have other things to do in their life
13:44 than just to mess around with stuff.
13:46 Like me and you, we'll probably go around
13:47 and mess around with all the technology bits and bytes.
13:50 But most folks want to drop their kids off at school,
13:53 want to take care of their parents,
13:55 or want to do something else.
13:57 >> And could one of those devices be the car
13:58 in terms of the interconnectivity
14:00 and just sharing things as soon as you get in the vehicle?
14:03 Like if you're maybe listening on earbuds
14:05 and you get into the car,
14:06 why wouldn't it transfer to the stereo, for example?
14:08 >> Sure, sure.
14:09 Car's another important form factor for us as well.
14:12 And we work very closely with our Android Auto team.
14:15 >> So just looking out the next 12 months or so,
14:19 what are going to be some of the biggest things
14:20 that you're working on to deliver more magic?
14:22 >> Yeah, no, that's a great question.
14:23 So I think the themes that we've started to announce here
14:27 at CS are the ones that we're going to continue to invest in.
14:29 So making it faster and easier
14:31 to set up more and more devices.
14:34 Being able to get things done across devices
14:37 in a way that you don't have to think about
14:39 the underlying bits and bytes.
14:41 So you'd say, hey, copy here, paste there, done.
14:44 So how do we invest more in that?
14:45 And the third bit is, how do we expand this idea
14:48 of supporting multiple different OSs?
14:52 So where else should we go?
14:53 What do our users, what do the people
14:54 who use Android phones want?
14:58 And so those are really the three key areas
15:00 that my team's going to invest in.
15:01 >> Cool.
15:02 Well, we'll definitely be watching.
15:03 And exciting to see all the multi-device connectivity
15:06 coming together.
15:07 It's like early stages,
15:07 but it's also accelerating quickly.
15:10 >> Well, I don't know if I'd necessarily say
15:12 it's early stages.
15:13 I think we've been investing in it for a few years now.
15:16 I think what you're starting to see
15:17 is the fruits of some of that,
15:19 and it's accelerating quickly, right?
15:20 And so that part I agree with.
15:22 >> Okay, cool.
15:23 All right, well, thank you for your time.
15:24 >> Thank you so much for your time.