Android 17 is Scaring Me

The Android show concluded with a theme of "Android everywhere," heavily featuring Gemini and a rebranding of Android from an operating system to an intelligence system. The decision to disable comments on Google's product announcement videos is noted, suggesting a fear of negative customer feedback despite impressive-looking features that may raise privacy concerns. A new product, "Google Books," was introduced, distinct from Chromebooks. These devices will feature a "glow bar" and utilize a new, unnamed operating system, codenamed "Aluminium OS," which unifies Android and Chrome OS. A key feature of this OS is "magic pointer," enabling users to interact with Gemini by simply wiggling the cursor and pointing at on-screen elements to perform AI tasks like drafting email replies. While potentially useful, the number of times such features require clarification raises questions about their intuitiveness. Custom widgets are highlighted as a significant advancement in integrating AI into operating systems, allowing users to create widgets from plain text prompts, such as a weather widget displaying only rain and wind speed. This feature is expected to come to both the new OS and Android 17. Google Books will also offer "quick access," allowing direct file browsing and transfer between phones and laptops. The presentation showcased impressive Gemini capabilities, including booking concert tickets and planning subsequent activities based on user input. However, this is met with skepticism, drawing parallels to past unfulfilled promises of deep integration and seamless AI assistance. Specific concerns are raised about the practical application of features like auto form-filling, questioning its accuracy with multiple similar data points, and the reliability of AI in real-world scenarios, citing examples of inaccurate autocomplete and alarm setting. Beyond AI, RCS end-to-end encryption with iOS is rolling out, and Google is making it easier to switch from Apple to Android. "Quick Share" will be available on more devices, and "juiced up voice isolation" promises clearer calls. The new "screen reactions" feature allows users to record their screen and themselves simultaneously, useful for explanations or feedback. Android Auto is receiving a substantial update, improving its display on various screen sizes and enabling video playback with Dolby Atmos while parked, a boon for EV owners charging their vehicles. In-car displays will offer more customization. Vehicles with "Google Builtin" will see more responsive apps due to direct hardware integration. A feature allowing users to ask Gemini about dashboard symbols or trunk dimensions is also mentioned, though verification is still advised. The video also touches on the potential for co-marketing challenges with vehicle manufacturers for Google's built-in features. The segment concludes with a sponsor plug for UG Green's NAS storage solutions before a brief mention of Apple and Google's software-driven competition.