Android at Google I/O: Continued Wear OS and RCS Growth, and More
Google I/O 2023 is finally here, and while a lot of people have been hyped for announcements surrounding the company’s upcoming hardware, Google also took to stage to showcase some of the biggest news about Android, Wear OS, and more. So how has Android been faring lately? Let’s find out.
According to Google, the company has continued to invest in improving app quality and user experiences for larger-screened devices including tablets and foldable devices, the latter of which have continued to grow in terms of market adoption. Google states that more than 50 of its first-party apps have been optimized for larger displays – this also includes third-party apps and games such as Spotify, Disney+, and even Minecraft.
Google adds that Android will soon arrive for new screens with a partnership with Samsung. We’re building a new immersive XR platform powered by Android.
This increase in adoption also applies to Wear OS, which Google states is currently the fastest-growing smartwatch platform in the world. The wearable platform has grown over five times since the arrival of Wear OS 3 (its current iteration) back in 2021. Currently, Wear OS 3 is available on premium devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 and the Google Pixel Watch.
Google’s other Android products have also seen considerable growth – Android TV OS currently places as the top streaming platform globally based on shipments, with 800 new free TV channels for users. Not to be outdone, Android Auto will soon be available in 200 million vehicles this year. Last but not the least is Android’s RCS (rich communication services) for its messaging app, which now sees over 800 million users – Google predicts that this number could reach 1 billion by the end of the year.
We’re bound to see more news about Google and its products for 2023, so we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for future developments and stories.