Fast Pair started as Google’s way to quickly connect Bluetooth headphones to Android phones and will soon do the same on Chrome OS. Today, Google hinted that Fast Pair is coming to Wear OS in what could be a preparation for the Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Pro.
Quick pairing on Wear OS
Today, Google updated the Google System Updates change history with the following entry under the Device Connections section:
[Wear OS] Quick pairing on Wear OS to allow this
sPre-paired headphones to be detected and connected to wearable devices.[5]– [5] Available through Google Play Services version 22.24 updated on 06/24/2022.
The functionality described is the bread and butter of Fast Pair, which saves paired headphones to your Google account for easy access on other devices via a system-wide notification. It’s also used by Fitbit devices on initial setup, while doing just about anything with Bluetooth on a small wearable is cumbersome and the Fast Pair is a welcome addition.
This update for Google Play Services has not yet been widely rolled out over the hours we checked today. It’s not clear what UI Fast Pair on Wear OS will take, while Google hasn’t explicitly announced the availability of Fast Pair on Wear OS. The closest was at CES 2022 in January when Google described “voice calling with wearables” as the current Fast Pair functionality:
We’re continuing our work with partners to expand Fast Pair’s functionality even further beyond voice communication with wearables, headphones, amplifiers, and cars, and extending it to TVs and smart home appliances, so you can immediately start using all the devices in your life.
Fast Pair will be available for Chrome OS in the coming weeks, while Android/Google TV, select cars, have also been announced. and for use in pairing Matter smart home devices.
Pixel Prep Clock
Meanwhile, Fast Pair on Wear OS is likely meant for the Pixel watch. The product page for the Pixel Buds Pro states that you can “easily switch from music on your phone to video calls on your laptop.” The multipoint connection for the headphones coming next month just describes the “phone to laptop” switch.
However, the Pixel Watch page describes the Fast Pair discovery and connectivity features that Play Services mentioned today.
With Fast Pair, it’s quick and easy to connect your earbuds, watch and phone to each other. Pixel Buds Pro also simplifies it by automatically switching audio between watches, phones, and laptops.
In theory, Fast Pair shouldn’t be limited to the Pixel Watch and something all Wear OS devices take advantage of when it launches.
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