I/O 2016: Sundar and the rest at Google discuss their perception on how technology can become even more friendly with their unique developments and products that they introduced. A few new products and changes to Android were playfully announced at the I/O presentation which directly alludes to more playful and human-friendly OS updates and service releases, these include: Daydream, Google Assistant and many more! Find beneath, the roaster of 10 major announcements from Google I/O 2016.
1) Google Home
Ever wondered to have to most obedient home that listens to your demand? Google has a product to show off, Google Home. Google Home is a voice-activated home control system that give’s you god-like control on every corner of your house. Google Home is a small and compact speaker, serving as an extension to Chromecast and Chromecast Audio. Google Home will be available later this year.
“like having a voice activated remote control to the real world, whenever you need it.”
2) Google Assistant
Google Assistant is a conversational app that allows you to command and get things done super fast. Google Assistant works by understanding context flawlessly and getting results in a jiffy. It works seamlessly with other Google apps such as Allo and Duo to provide services like booking dinner tables, cabs and much more, it serves as a “concierge service” Said Sundar. It almost takes a human-like approach to converse with you.
3) Allo
Allo is a new chat application that is integrated with Google Assistant. It has unique features like stickers and Whisper-Shout. Also also brings Inbox’s smart reply to chat, it learns more and more of you in order to conceive more logical and relative replies on the go. It also utilises smart and natural language recognition as well as powerful image scanning in order to detect context and formulate actions for the same. It also includes Google Assistant integration which let’s you search, book, buy and share things on the go.
4) Duo
Duo is pretty much like Facetime that you get in Apple devices. It aims to make video calls all the more faster and reliable especially on slow internet connections. The Duo app also has this feature called Knock Knock, which gives a live video of the other party before you accept their call. Good thing is, it’ll also be available for iOS!
5) Android N
Android N wasn’t a very hot topic at the event yesterday, having been announced way earlier already. However they did mention some new features and improvements. They talked about the update bringing better graphics, battery performance, and an overall stronger security. Moving on with actual few featuresIf you’ve used CyanogenOS, you must be pretty familiar with the switching of apps while you tap and hold on the recent button; similarly, on Android N, you’ll be able to switch to your last used app by double tapping on the recent apps button. They also confirmed some multitasking features like split screens and picture in picture mode. And oh, they also added 72 new emojis and variations of skintones. If you want to try it out for your Nexus device, it is available.
6) Android Wear 2.0
Android Wear was also one of the topics that they briefly talked about yesterday. Version 2.0 sports an all new user experience and now allows you to run apps on your apps without the need of your phone being around. Furthermore, they also announced a new handwriting keyboard that can be used for searches, text messaging, emailing and so on. The watchfaces now have access to information like your current step count, health status, and even information from any app that you want.
7) Daydream
Daydream was also announced last night which is a platform for high quality mobile virtual reality. Smartphone companies like HTC, Samsung and Huawei have phones capable of running it. Arriving this fall, a cool looking controller and a headset will be available for Daydream VR which can run apps like Street view, Youtube, Play Store, Google Photos and so on.
8) Android Instant Apps
One of the coolest features they showed was Android Instant Apps. When you click a link that leads to an app, they will give you the option to run the app without even having to install it. You know those times when someone sends you a link and you have to install an app for it? Well, this is Google trying to skip that part for you and make things easier. They showed the demo of this thing on a KitKat device that got everyone thinking, ‘Why the hell are they using an old version of Android’. But later it turns out that was all done to prove a point – to show that the app runs on Google’s server instead of your phone.
9) Android Studio 2.2
The Android Studio 2.2 preview, the latest version of its integrated development also launched yesterday. It’s revamped with all new layout designer and a plugin taht allows services like authentication, Analytics, Admob and notifications which is kinda better for developers focused towards the emerging markets.
10) Firebase
While not to exciting for regular users, Google launched an extension to the Firebase yesterday which is a pretty sweet addition for developers. It allows developers to build high quality apps in an instance, grow the number of users and earn money across both iOS and Android and as well from the mobile web.
