Android enthusiasts can anticipate the forthcoming Android 15, slated for release in 2024, precisely a year subsequent to the Android 14 launch. As a prelude to this major update, early glimpses of its potential functionalities have begun to surface, shedding light on the direction Google might take with Android 15.
A standout revelation is the concept of “Remote Authentication,” which seems to be a pivotal innovation in this upcoming version. While the exact intricacies are still somewhat veiled, preliminary insights offer a glimpse into the operational framework of this novel feature. Indications point toward a mechanism wherein a secondary device’s confirmation is necessitated to establish authentication.
The integration of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology appears to be a foundational requirement for this innovation. This potentially underpins Google’s novel “Watch Unlock” feature, where a UWB-enabled smartphone remains unlocked when it is in close proximity to a UWB-enabled smartwatch. Speculation arises about whether this might contribute to the delayed unveiling of the Pixel Watch feature.
Certainly, the initial documentation accentuates the indispensability of UWB. This technology is already present in Google’s Pro smartphones, and it is anticipated to feature in the upcoming Pixel Watch 2 and the Pixel Tablet. Notably, its implementation within the Pixel ecosystem has hitherto remained limited.
The precise contours of Google’s strategic intent for this pioneering remote authentication feature remain somewhat enigmatic. However, this development potentially signifies a deeper integration of interconnectedness between Google’s proprietary devices, alluding to a strategic interplay among various tiers of devices.