Google's new chief of Chrome and Android Sundar Pichai gave his first major interview since taking over Andy Rubin's position, and has some interesting things to share.
Pichai joined Google back in 2004 and recently took over as Google's mobile chief after Andy Rubin stepped down. With just two days to go until the Google I/O conference, Pichai spills the beans on what the company has in store for the popular Android.
In an exclusive interview with Wired, Pichai discussed the challenges of managing an open-source platform, Google's relationship with Facebook and Samsung, as well as what lies ahead for Android at the upcoming Google I/O conference.
Speaking about the upcoming Google I/O 2013, Pichai says the company doesn't plan to unveil much in terms of new products or a new operating system. Instead, this year's Google I/O conference will focus on what the company can do for developers so they can write better things. More specifically, Google will show how Google services are doing great things on both Android and Chrome.
On the future of Android, Pichai notes that Google wants the OS to be a "very, very open platform," but wants to do it in a manner that will provide end users with a good experience overall.
"Users get to decide what apps and what choices they want. Some users really want [Facebook Home]. We don't want to get in the way of that. [But] in the end, we have to provide a consistent experience," Pichai tells Wired. "As part of that, with every release of Android, we do go through changes. So we may make changes over time."
When it comes to the existence of both Chrome and Android, Google's new mobile chief explains that the company plans to keep both and continue to improve both.
"Users care about applications and services they use, not operating systems...We embrace both and we are continuing to invest in both. So in the short run, nothing changes. In the long run, computing itself will dictate the changes. We're living through a pivotal moment."
One aspect that's on everyone's mind, however, is the slow rate at which Android updates roll out. According to Pichai, Google is considering ways to make Android handle updates better, but things are just getting started. The company is talking with partners and looking to improve this aspect, but it needs time "to figure out the mechanics." Pichai does assure that Android updates are an area of focus.
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