Google IO 2017 has brought forth the company’s future designs for Android, Google Assistant, Google Home, virtual reality, and much more. Google has very clearly talked about its ongoing endeavors and things that they have planned for the future. The announcements made this year are bound to influence the manner in which developers and consumers communicate with Google products on a daily basis. Here are all the major announcements from Google IO:
1. Android O
Google announced new features in Android O for developers by controlling background apps, limiting location use and WIFI scanning to help prolong the battery life. There’s also enhancement in the security. The addition of a new developer language known as Kotlin has also been a notable announcement. If you own a Google Pixel phone, then a beta version of Android O can be downloaded on it now.
2. Google Lens
With the introduction of Google Lens and the machine learning capabilities in the smartphones, the camera will transform incredibly as users can get remarkable photographs. Google Lens will enable the smartphones to identify objects in the surroundings and take helpful actions.
3. A Smarter Assistant, Now In More Places
Just like last year, Google Assistant caught everyone’s attention this year too. Powered by Google Lens, it is capable of doing various tasks such as translation of text in a speedy manner, something that was possible only through Google Translate earlier. You will also be able to write text to the Assistant along with being incredibly media-savvy. It will also be effective with abilities on Google Home. Another big announcement by Google was the coming of Assistant to iOS. Through this, they have tackled the competition with Siri by making them co-exist with each other in one smartphone.
4. Android Go
Android Go is a new version of Android that is optimized for cheaper devices. It is going to enable the mobile apps to work adequately on smartphones that are low-end entry level. All the smartphones that are running less than 1GB RAM will automatically shift to Android Go. Also, the apps at play store will be highlighted as they are optimized for Go.
Android Go is following the pattern of Google’s Android One by introducing stock Android to developing nations and providing a larger global scale than ever before. Google has shrugged the idea of Android O being only for high-end smartphones as they are aiming to develop software that has an immensely scalable solution for customers existing on a varying range of income levels.
5. Google’s Crazy AI Machine
Google declared a second generation modification of their AI chipset thus proceeding forth with their concentration on Artificial Intelligence. Called as the ‘Cloud Tenor Processing Unit’, it is optimized for profound learning algorithms. The extreme computationally intensive components of the AI process can also be managed by it.
6. Android Passes 2 Billion Active Devices
Since its inception, the prominence of Android smartphones has been continually increasing. During the beginning of keynote, CEO Sundar Pichai shared a vital the tally of monthly active Android devices which now surpasses 2 billion. This incorporates the smartphones, tablets, Android Wear devices, Android TVs, and other different types of gadgets that are designed for Android.
7. Google.ai and TPU Cloud
Google announced that Google.ai is the company’s latest AI platform for developers that enable them to design and develop machine-learning applications in the cloud. By using neural nets, Google.ai designs and develops neural nets. Another remarkable announcement was that Google is employing it in healthcare and pathology already.
8. Google Home
The smart speaker of Google is currently among the leading speakers in the market, however, they have declared various other updates and new features that will be enough to beat the competition and make it the best product. With the help of Google Assistant, it will be easy. for Home to provide the right information to the right connected screen. Home will be able to control HBO Now, Hulu, SoundCloud, Deezer, and much more. Furthermore, Home’s Bluetooth radio will have an open access as Google is working on it so that it functions like all other Bluetooth speakers in the market.
9. Google Daydream
Google designed the virtual reality software specification known as Google Daydream that enables the designers and developers to make the most out of a standardized development model that will be immensely beneficial throughout the Android range. There have been various handsets but a standalone headset was announced this year’s Google IO. Google is presently working with Lenovo and the Vive Division of HTC to build and launch standalone Daydream headsets this coming year.
10. Google Photos Adds Books and Effortless Sharing
There are going to be exciting additions to Google Photos. The company has brought the Suggested Sharing option where the application will provide recommendations of sharing photos clicked by you with people who are in it. Google has also brought Shared Libraries that enables people to easily add images together in a central collection without any complication. Moving a step ahead, Google is also providing printed photo books to solidify your digital collection. Also, you can directly create books on your smartphone and also receive recommendations from Google.
Google IO has filled everyone with excitement and the zest to look forward to what is to come!
Zahoor Bhat has over 10+ years of experience as an online editor and media manager. He has worked with major online news and content sites as a media manager. He is well versed with major content management systems and web platforms such as WordPress and social media networks including Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google Business, Yelp, Instagram & Linkedin. He is an expert in content creation, proofreading and finally making it live. Being a social media expert, he is able to make relations with social media influencers and make sure to generate leads and grow business via different social media platforms.
