tch makers will get to tweak Android ar… eventually

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Published 17 Oct 2014

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is softening its stance toward customization in Android ar, saying device makers will have more ability to tweak the software over time.

Hiroshi ckheimer, ’s vice president of engineering, told Re/code that Asus’ upcoming Zentch will show a glimpse of how additional customization might work. The watch, announced in September, has some extra features not found in other Android ar devices, such as a customizable double-tap gesture a cover to mute function. It’ll also have several extra built-in apps, including presentation controls a remote phone finder.

ckheimer said that same flexibility would apply to other new efforts, such as Android Auto Android TV. “It’s not some -way-or-the-highway kind of thing,” he said. “…’re trying to find the right balance of differentiation customization.”

just wants time to get the experience right before it opens the door to more OEM tweaks, ckheimer, said. And while device makers may get more control over time, is still pushing the idea of pre-loaded apps rather than more drastic interface changes.

y this matters: It’s a slightly different tune than the one sang during its I/O conference in ne . At the time, engineering director David Burke told Ars Technica that would control the user interface software code for Android ar, Android Auto Android TV, with goal of having everything “work the same look the same.” But as ckheimer said, needs to walk a fine line, lest its hardware partners get fed with a lack of distinguishing features. Besides, additional tweaks enhancements can be useful, provided can keep its partners from running amok.