7 Exciting Announcements Google Made at I/O 2016

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 19 May 2016

Google I/O 2016, Google’s annual developer-focused conference, kicked off on Wednesday in Google’s own backyard, Mountain View, CA. We knew the conference would be interesting, but we didn’t expect it to be this interesting.

To better understand what I’m going on about, here’s a look at the 7 most interesting announcements Google made at I/O 2016.

1. Google Assistant, a powerful conversational AI

Speak to your phone, tell it what you’re looking for or what you want it to do, and it will understand you and help you get things done a fast as possible. That is, in a nutshell, what Google aims to do with its new Assistant. It is a powerful conversational AI that understands natural language, works seamlessly across devices, and provides a more useful way to interact with Google Search via voice commands.



"The assistant is conversational—an ongoing two-way dialogue between you and Google that understands your world and helps you get things done," said Google CEO, Sundar Pichai. "It makes it easy to buy movie tickets while on the go, to find that perfect restaurant for your family to grab a quick bite before the movie starts, and then help you navigate to the theater. It’s a Google for you, by you."


2. Google Home, an Echo-like voice-activated product

If you’re familiar with the Amazon Echo and Alexa, then it’s easy to explain what Google Home is: it’s just like that.



You have a small, white, voice-activated listening device that you can place anywhere you want in your home. Using the Google Assistant conversational AI, you can ask the device to play music, turn the lights on, search for things on Google, and so on.


3. Allo, a new smart messaging app based on your phone number

As it’s based on your phone number, the new Allo app lets you stay in touch with all your phonebook contacts. And since it is a smart messaging app, it promises to "make your conversations easier and more expressive." It features deeply integrated machine learning, it has an Incognito Mode which uses end-to-end encryption, it works with the new Google Assistant, and it lets you respond to messages via the built-in Smart Reply.



"Smart Reply learns over time and will show suggestions that are in your style," said Group Product Managers, Amit Fulay and Yariv Adan. "The more you use Allo the more "you" the suggestions will become. Smart Reply also works with photos, providing intelligent suggestions related to the content of the photo. If your friend sends you a photo of tacos, for example, you may see Smart Reply suggestions like "yummy" or "I love tacos."


4. Duo, a one-to-one video calling app

Just like Allo, Duo is based on your phone number, meaning you can use it to get in touch with anyone in your phonebook. The difference is that Duo isn’t a messaging app, it is a video calling app – one that promises to be fast even on slow connections or spotty networks.

Duo has an interesting feature called Knock Knock, which shows you a live video preview of whoever is calling you. When someone calls you via Duo, you can see who is calling you before you answer.



Just like Allo, Duo uses end-to-end encryption. Both apps will be available for Android and iOS sometime this summer.


5. Android Instant Apps runs apps instantly, no installation required

The new Android Instant Apps project does away with the need to install apps on your Android. It can run apps on your Android even if they’re not installed on it. Say someone sends you a BuzzFeed link; tap on it and and Android Instant Apps will instantly run the app, without asking you to install anything.



"This is a big change, so it's going to take some time. We’ve been working with a small set of partners to help refine the experience, including developers like BuzzFeed, B&H Photo, Medium, Hotel Tonight, Zumper and Disney. We’ll be gradually expanding access for developers and bringing Instant Apps to users later this year," said Product Manager Suresh Ganapathy.


6. Daydream, virtual reality for mobiles

Google is no stranger to virtual reality (VR). The inexpensive Google Cardboard VR headset has been around for a couple of years now, and it proved to be quite popular with mobile users who want a taste of virtual reality.

With Daydream, Google plans to take things to the next level. Promoted as "a platform for high quality mobile virtual reality," Daydream will focus on three important aspects:
  • Give developers the tools they need to get started with Daydream.
  • Bring your favorite apps to virtual reality.
  • Develop comfortable headsets and an intuitive controller for rich VR experiences.


"Together with Android manufacturers, we're working on upcoming phones, and sharing designs with them for a VR viewer and controller that will be really immersive, comfortable and intuitive to use. Your favorite apps and games will be coming to Daydream too," said Sundar Pichai.


7. Help name the next Android version

The latest Android version is Android 6.0 codename Marshmallow. The upcoming version doesn’t have a name yet, it’s known just as Android N. Google wants you to help give Android N a name.





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