Google has launched a new cross-device software development kit (SDK) that allows developers to build apps that run on Android and non-Android devices.

Compatible with Android 8 and higher, the cross-device software is now available in the developer preview for Android phones and tablets. It will be available later on Android Surface and non-Android operating systems.
This initial release includes a rich set of APIs centred on core capabilities such as device discovery, secure connections, and multi-device sessions.

Device Discovery:
Easily find nearby devices.
Authorise peer-to-peer communication.
Launch targeted applications on receiving devices.

Secure Connections: Enable encrypted, low-latency, two-way data sharing between authorised devices.
Multi-device sessions: Allows the user experience of an application to be transferred or scaled across multiple devices.
This, in turn, will allow you to build compelling cross-device experiences by enabling and simplifying the following use cases:
Discover and authorise communications with nearby devices.
Share the current state of an application with the same application on another device.

Launch applications on assistive devices without leaving the application running in the background. Establish a secure connection for devices to communicate with each other. When task handover is enabled, users can start a task on one device and easily continue on another.

“This SDK allows you to focus on what matters most – building delightful user experiences and connecting those experiences across form factors and platforms,” Google said. The software also supports task switching, where users can start tasks on one device and easily continue on another.

“Additionally, apps don’t have to declare or request runtime permissions for any underlying connection protocols they use, and users can allow apps to connect only to devices of their choosing,” the company said.