Google’s ‘Fast Pair’ Feature May See Scarce Adoption, but Its accessibility gains are Abundant
Ben Schoon reports for 9to5 Google this week Google has confirmed its “Fast Pair” feature, introduced in 2022, is available on only four devices. Schoon writes the supported devices all are streaming boxes: the Chromecast with Google TV, Chromecast with Google TV (HD), Google TV Streamer, and Walmart Onn 4K Plus.
According to Schoon, Fast Pair, which he describes as “a feature that works across Android devices, ChromeOS, and compatible headphones to allow for easy pairing through an on-screen pop-up, as well as the ability to quickly switch headphones between devices,” is optional for developers. He notes Google told Android Authority device makers have discretion over supporting Fast Pair in their product(s), adding Google is “actively working with its partners to enable support on more devices.”
Fast Pair, conceptually speaking, is identical to Apple’s longstanding setup for things like AirPods, HomePod, and even Beats devices. In an accessibility context, I’ve long banged the drum that what’s ostensibly an implementation detail—a means to an end—is actually of great importance. To wait, rather than having to, say, find the Bluetooth section of Settings to find and pair a device, users can simply, for example, open the lid of their AirPods’ case close to their iPhone to initiate pairing. Better still, Apple uses iCloud (because most people are signed in) to propagate the pairing to a user’s constellation of devices. The ultimate accessibility wins are twofold: (1) a person coping with perhaps cognitive and/or visual disability needn’t remember how and where to pair something, then be forced to skim a list to find the correct product and then, motor-wise, tap the Connect button; and (2) that, in Apple’s case, the pairing setup involves iCloud in the backend means a person needn’t tediously and repetitiously work so hard to pair their AirPods with their Apple Watch and MacBook, for instance. Put another way, hitting the Connect button once when pairing one’s AirPods is a shortcut that consolidates what’s normally a multi-step task into one. Most people, including folks at Apple, would say this is convenience—and it is, but it’s just as aptly about accessibility.
The bottom line? Apple’s accessory setup game is a de-facto accessibility feature.
For the longest time, Apple used a private API to build the works-like-magic setup flow for its accessories like AirPods, etc. In releasing iOS 18 last year, however, the company finally extended the function to App Store developers; with the then-new AccessorySetupKit framework, device makers could make the setup process of their own products as accessible as Apple’s blessed first-party kit. That isn’t at all trivial, especially for those people who rapaciously add smart home stuff to their dwelling.
Back to Google. I got an Onn 4K Pro from Walmart a few months ago to play around with, and didn’t know until reading Schoon’s story it doesn’t support Fast Pair. The streaming box’s setup process is easy enough, especially using the Google Home app on your phone, but Fast Pair would make it that much better. It’s good to see Google, like Apple, lead by example by integrating Fast Pair with Pixel Buds. Especially for something like third-party earbuds, using Fast Pair would be a huge accessibility win for many people.
