Last year, Google added a new API to AOSP to enable better support for ultra-wideband (UWB) devices. At that time, we learned that the API was limited to system apps only, which means it was not available for third-party apps. That is now finally changing as developers can implement UWB support in their apps with a newly launched Jetpack library. Version 1.0.0-alpha of androidx.core.uwb The Jetpack library can be used in an app to interact with UWB-enabled devices such as Google Pixel 6 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus and Ultra.
What this means is that from now on, developers can interact with the UWB features of the Android smartphone on which their apps run, and it is no longer limited to system apps. Currently, the UWB API requires a device to run Android 12 or later, though virtually all devices that have UWB probably already are. UWB can make use of a low energy density for short distance measurements and perform high bandwidth signaling over a large part of the radio spectrum.
Apple’s AirTags make use of UWB so you can accurately locate them with your smartphone, and the first modern smartphone to support UWB was the iPhone 11. On the Android side, Samsung was the first to bring this technology to market with its Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra smartphones. Xiaomi has also announced plans to come on board with UWB technology, showing how it aims to use the technology to control its smart home ecosystem.
As for why it is being released as an Android Jetpack library, there is a reason for it. Development for Android can be a painful affair given Google’s annual OS release cycle and changing API requirements for Google Play, and it is why we see Google maintaining a set of support libraries under the “Android Jetpack” umbrella. It is a set of Android components, tools and guides inspired by the backward compatibility of the Support Library and the ease of use of Android Architecture Components.
Given that the UWB library is in alpha, it is possible that it may not have all the functionality that developers might want yet. Developers should make sure to read the developer documentation for this new library to make sure they understand how to use it.
Thanks Mishaal Rahman for the tip!
Source: Android Developer Docs, Jetpack Library
Via: Mishaal Rahman