Google’s Android 4.4.3 update may well be on the way for select devices, but while this rudimentary bump could be rolled out in the next couple of weeks, something much more significant is said to be on the horizon. Currently referred to as ‘Project Hera,’ the future implementation will aim to bring an aligned, synchronized experience across Android, Chrome and Web apps, with users able to carry out tasks in a seamless manner throughout the range of Google platforms.
The Big G is always looking to make improvements to its ubiquitous mobile firmware, and even though 4.4 KitKat only rolled out last year, we’ve already witnessed a couple of noteworthy updates, with the latest version being 4.4.2. But even KitKat itself represents only a slightly-better-than-incremental improvement upon Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and as such, there’s a substantial amount of expectation pinned upon Android 4.5 / 5.0.
Whatever Google has planned for Android, it’s seeming more and more like Project Hera will play a key role in proceedings. In the latest gossip, the search company is said to be working on a specially-adapted Chromium build that can run on Android, executing Web-based tasks for Google’s range of apps. Additionally, there’s also said to be third-party app support, although the main emphasis looks to be the company’s own, in-house product range to begin with.
Multitasking will be significantly bumped, since Hera will be able to guide a user to instances of running apps that could be performed via the special Chromium infrastructure. In effect, a user would be able to carry out an action quickly, and via the Web, without having to interact with a full app.
Hera’s UI will be similar to that of Google Now’s card-like structure if renders created by Android Police are to be believed, and if the functionality is of a similar standard to the famed personal assistant, then Hera could well be the most prominent feature to hit Android since Google Now.
Bringing a Chrome desktop sync-like experience across the range of Google Apps, Hera would seamlessly pick up on tasks created on linked devices, adding a multitasking card to its interface and allowing a user to remain abreast of all information and tasks in one neat, manageable location.
Whether it will be released as a part of the so-called ‘Lollipop’ Android 4.5 / 5.0 update or not remains to be seen, but we’ll likely hear more key details at the I/O dev conference in the summer.
(Source: AndroidPolice)
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