There’s been a lot of speculation as to what Google will announce at this year’s Google I/O conference, with theorists predicting a new OS, a virtual reality platform, the next Nexus and so forth. Some of those were proven true late last night and some weren’t. Here’s what we feel the biggest news was at Google’s biggest event of the year.
Android N
First of all, a new beta for Android N was released, with new features being demoed at the event. While Android N won’t be out of beta till after summer, what we’ve seen so far is quite refreshing. For instance, there’s a new picture-in-picture mode, a “clear-all” button to close all active apps (something Stock Android was sorely missing) and even the ability to change the size of notifications for different apps. Ultimately the name for Android N wasn’t revealed; Google is instead letting that be answered by a crowdsourced contest. Personally I’m voting for Nutella McNutface.
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Two new messaging apps
Google also showcased two new messaging apps. One is a AI-powered app called Allo, that has the usual collection of features you see in messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. However, Allo also features Google’s Google Assitant, which can be used to answer questions and so forth, from within the app. It is also encrypted. The other app is a direct competitor to Apple’s Facetime and any other video calling app out there. Duo’s pull is that it’s incredibly simplistic to use, but unlike Facetime it is only available on mobile. Both apps will be available on Android and iOS this summer.
Google’s virtual reality platform
Google is also stepping into virtual reality with a mobile virtual reality platform and a headset to boot. The platform is called Daydream and it’s built on top of Android N, confirm that Android N will have native VR support. Google has already created VR versions of its own apps for the platform. The headset Google is intending to build aims to be more sophisticated than its current Google Cardboard headsets, yet more affordable than the current market competitors, the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. It will be smartphone powered, but we’re not sure when the headset will come out; Google only showcased a reference design at I/O.
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A smart home with Google
The last bit of big news from I/O was the new home assistant called Google Home. While it isn’t Jarvis, it does serve as a new competitor to Amazon Echo. Again Google is relying on its Google Assistant technology by having Home answer questions and execute commands. Google Home is intended to be used with multiple devices, in multiple rooms; it already has Amazon’s Echo beat there. The device is a small cylinder with a speaker at the base.
Android Wear gets an upgrade
Lastly, Android Wear 2.0 was also revealed and, truth be told, it isn’much difference from the first iteration of the wearable technology platform. However, the few changes that have been made will give a better experience when using an Android smartwatch. For instance, Android 2.0 will let watches be more autonomous, without having to rely on smartphones and there’s a new tiny QWERTY keyboard.
What news excited you the most? Let us know!
