Earlier today, the Google I/O Conference began with a keynote full of huge announcements. On its 10th anniversary, the conference broke a record in online audience size. With over 7,000 in-person attendees and a record-breaking remote audience, Google had lots of attention.
The anticipation for this event was high with many news companies making exciting predictions. You can see these predictions by Gizmodo, Mashable, Engadget and others. Some of the predictions were merely rumor (for now), such as YouTube live TV streaming, but most were accurate or not far from it.
The following seven announcements are especially important, not just for Google customers but also businesses. When reading these, think about how they can be incorporated into your business strategy.
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Google Assistant
Almost like an upgrade to Google Now, the Google Assistant listens to your questions and responds with a relevant answer. It can even answer a follow-up question without the user having to state the initial query again. The service is an attempt to initiate a conversational, two-way dialogue between the user and Google.
The Assistant can also help users make purchases, such as ordering movie tickets for a family night out. Google also aims to have the Assistant be an “ambient experience that extends across devices.”
Google Assistant will be integrated into other products they announced during the keynote, such as Google Home and Allo.
Google Home
Google unveiled their own Amazon Echo competitor, Google Home, today. It’s a hands-free, voice command IoT device, and it doesn’t require a phone. It uses far-field voice recognition, which is truly a leader in the industry for quality and accuracy.
Google Home works with Chromecast to offer services, such as:
- Set alarms
- Make to-do lists
- Adjust lights
It also works with Google’s Nest products.
Google Search is built into the device, providing immediate, accurate and personalized responses.
Unfortunately, Google Home is not yet open to all 3rd-party development, but it’s likely to happen eventually to bring Google in the same league as Amazon.
Allo and Duo
These are the two new communications apps that Google announced today. Allo is an elite messaging app that incorporates Google Assistant into users’ conversations with each other.
For example, if you’re talking to your friend and she asks a question, Allo’s Assistant will provide a suggested answer.
Also in Allo, it has “smart reply,” which gives users response suggestions for faster communication. It learns over time and is not limited to just text. Users can get suggested emoji or sticker responses, too.
A cool part of smart reply is that Google can interpret images to help you respond. If someone sends a photo, Google can analyze it to determine what it’s of, giving the recipient a relevant suggested response.
Next, there’s Duo. This is the video companion to Allo. It is the equivalent to Apple’s FaceTime but offers a lot more.
Duo has the “knock, knock” feature, which gives users a live video preview before accepting the call. Google also explained how reliable the service is by proactively monitoring network activity for the best option.
Both Allo and Duo will be available on iOS and Android this Summer.
Android N
Android N is still in beta, but developers can test out some of its features now. These are some of the key features to try out:
- Multitasking
- Notifications
- Settings
The multitasking feature allows users to easily access their most recently used apps, and there’s now a “clear all” button that closes all open apps.
Notifications went through a major overhaul with Android N. Both visual and functional aspects have been improved.
The settings feature now offers more for the user, such as suggestions for what to do with one’s phone. This helps users find new ways to set up and use their phone that they may not have known they could do.
Android Instant Apps
If people want to use an app without the installation process, Android Instant Apps gives them that option. This saves room in one’s phone storage and allows for faster access.
The main purpose or reason for this new service is to help provide a seamless experience for users. Google explains that some apps are better for quick access, such as paying for parking, so a native approach might work better for the user.
“There are classes of apps that are better as a native app but aren’t being experienced like this because of the install hurdle.” – Michael Siliski, Google
Developers should note that a completely new app isn’t necessary. Instant Apps just requires an existing app update.
Android Wear 2.0
Android Wear was first introduced in 2014, and the Google I/O Conference keynote provided several key updates to the platform:
- Updates to the device faces
- Updates to the messaging feature
- Improved fitness tracking
Along with those announcements, Google introduced some developer updates to the platform:
- New user interface
- Standalone apps
- Developer notes for the user updates above
The new Android Wear will be available this Fall.
Daydream
With all the hype about virtual reality and its popularity and potential, it was only a matter of time before Google got involved. They started with cardboard, but at the Google I/O Conference, they introduced a major redirection.
Introducing Daydream: a mobile virtual reality platform.
Clearly a big upgrade to Google Cardboard, Daydream is soon to be a big competitor to other virtual reality systems. It’s still in the works, with the accompanying headset and controller in progress development, but the anticipation for the final product is high.
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The only major downside to these keynote announcements is that most products aren’t going to be released right away. There’s a high-level disappointing wait, some going all the way to the end of this year. It’s likely Google is trying to build suspense, or they’re behind schedule.
Stuzo watched the keynote, and we’re following the separate sessions. We have always strongly supported innovative thinking and progress, so we’re already implementing what we’ve learned.
If your business wants to take part in any of these Google updates, contact us today. We’ll have a chat about what your needs and ideas are for Android N, Daydream etc. We build digital products for businesses such as yours, so let’s get started today!
Watch the full Google I/O Conference keynote recording on YouTube.
