In 2013, mobile devices were once again the top tech gadget, largely due to Android. From new high-end devices to two versions of Android, and new Google Nexus devices, it was a solid year for the world’s most popular mobile operating system. Now, all eyes are turning to 2014 and whether it will be an equally productive year of new developments.
So, what can we expect from Android in 2014?
1. Android Beyond Phones And Tablets
We started to see this trend in the last quarter of 2013 with companies like Samsung introducing the Galaxy Gear smartwatch that syncs with your Samsung phone, along with cameras that run the operating system too.
While the smartwatch wasn’t overly popular, the cameras that use Android are catching on. In fact, many companies, including Google, are actually developing other gadgets and devices ready for release in 2014. These will either run Android or sync with an Android device.
The other development to look out for could be the Google Glass. These wearable computers have been in testing by a select few users and the consumer version is currently rumored to be due for release in 2014. It is highly likely that Google will mention or even introduce them officially at their annual I/O conference, or a special conference in the early summer.
2. Wireless Charging
The Nexus devices of 2013, Nexus 7 and 5, both came with the ability to charge wirelessly. If you purchase a small charging base e.g, Nexus Wireless Charger, that plugs into a wall socket, you can place the device on top of it and have it charge without having to plug it in.
We believe this will become a standard feature with most new devices released in 2014. Beyond that, it is highly likely that the efficiency of this method of charging will increase, making it more viable.
3. A New Version Of Android
It is pretty much guaranteed that there will be a new version of Android in 2014. Most believe that the next version released will be version 5.0, which will likely be an overhaul of Android. It’s hard to say what will be included in the next version, but it’s highly likely that the OS will see new features and even a new layout, perhaps one focused on making the system even easier to use.
If the most recent release of Android 4.4 is any indication, it is highly likely that the version Google releases this year will also work on older devices, which could encourage manufacturers to upgrade devices to the newer version.
4. Higher Quality, Lower Costs
With the release of the Nexus 5 at the end of October 2013, Google showed that you can produce a high-end device at a mid-range price. There is a good chance that the big device manufacturers are working on devices that have powerful hardware and an affordable price tag.
This is already evident with many carriers offering phones that are not high-end price wise, yet have hardware that was considered bleeding edge last year.
5. Moving Away From Carrier-Centric Devices
Historically, mobile carriers around the world offered exclusive phones and went to great lengths to ensure other carriers didn’t get to utilize these devices. With the release of more Nexus devices and Google Play edition phones – phones bought from Google, not from your carrier – we are starting to see the same devices offered by most providers.
This trend is likely to continue in 2014 and beyond, with the potential of users being able to pick their phone first then their carrier, not having to worry whether a specific mobile company will support their device or not.
6. Decreased Fragmentation
The current nature of the Android market is that there is a wealth of devices running different versions of the system, which has led to a fairly fragmented market. You have devices released last year that are still running an almost two year old version of Android, and will likely not be updated.
Google appears to be taking steps to encourage developers and manufacturers to update devices. The first step taken was to ensure that the latest version of Android can be supported by older devices. This will likely continue with future versions of the system, and should result in more devices being on the same version of Android. In other words, the market should become less fragmented. This will be good for business users who need to ensure that devices are secure. Instead of developing solutions for each version of Android, they can develop a strategy for just one version, used across the board.
2014 will be an interesting year for Android, so be sure to stay tuned to learn more. If you have a question about how this system can fit into your office, please contact us today for a chat.
Published on 19th November 2013 by Jeanne DeWitt.
