As the Android ecosystem continues to evolve, Google is set to introduce a game-changing feature in the upcoming Android 15 system. According to a recent blog post by developer Mishaal Rahman, users will soon be able to control their phone’s media output directly from their paired Wear OS smartwatch.
Currently, when users pair an Android phone with a Wear OS watch, the companion app allows them to manage various options on the watch and synchronize data like notifications, calls, and messages. However, one key limitation has been the inability to switch the phone’s audio output device from the watch.
Introducing the MEDIA_ROUTING_CONTROL Permission on Android 15
To address this, Android 15 will introduce a new platform permission called MEDIA_ROUTING_CONTROL. This permission grants the companion app (and by extension, the connected smartwatch) the ability to dynamically change the phone’s audio output destination, even for audio originating from a different app.
This newfound capability will provide users with a more seamless and convenient experience. For instance, if a user is watching a video on their phone and wants to switch the audio output to their headphones, they can now do so directly from their watch without interrupting the video. Similarly, if a user is listening to music on their phone in one room and wants to transfer it to a smart speaker in another room, a few taps on the watch can handle the transition smoothly.
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Leveraging Companion Device Profiles
The MEDIA_ROUTING_CONTROL permission is part of Android’s companion device profile feature, which allows companion apps to request a set of necessary permissions all at once, rather than requiring the user to grant each permission individually.
For example, the companion device profile “android.app.role.COMPANION_DEVICE_WATCH” for a smartwatch grants the companion app permissions related to calendar access, phone call access, SMS access, contact access, nearby device scanning, and more.
Potential Implications and Considerations
While the specific Wear OS devices that will support this new functionality are still uncertain, both the smartwatch and the companion app will likely require updates to take advantage of the MEDIA_ROUTING_CONTROL permission.
Google has not yet publicly announced this feature for the Pixel Watch 2 or the original Pixel Watch, but the company may be working on it in secret. As with any new permission, users will need to be aware of the implications and potential privacy concerns when granting access to their media controls.
Conclusion
The introduction of the MEDIA_ROUTING_CONTROL permission in Android 15 represents a significant step forward in the integration between smartphones and smartwatches. By empowering users to seamlessly control their phone’s media output from their wrist, this feature promises to enhance the overall companion device experience and provide a more convenient and streamlined way to manage multimedia on the go. As the Android ecosystem continues to evolve, users can look forward to even more innovative features that blur the lines between their devices and provide a truly seamless, cross-device experience.
