Google three-day developer conference took place this week. Between May 17th to May 19th at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in sunny California.
With announcements such as hands-free calling via Google Home, new languages and supporting transactions occurring; we’re intrigued as to how else we will be seeing Google strengthen its grip within the online world.
We’ve gathered together some of the biggest, most exciting announcements to have come from Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai and his team.
Google Lens and Google Assistant
Now more handy and convenient than ever. With the help of your smartphone camera, Google Lens is teaming up with Google Assistant in analysing the world around you to make daily tasks even easier. Through analysing your surroundings, Google Lens will provide relevant information on almost anything. From displaying restaurant ratings when capturing the front of a restaurant and identifying the name of an unusual flower in your garden; to connecting to your friends Wifi by simply presenting the log in credentials to the camera of your android phone allowing for it log on to the network imminently. Google never want you to find yourself wondering what a dish looks likes prior to making your order; by pointing the camera to the name of a dish on the menu, Google Assistant will show you what the dish looks like without having to specify the name.
Also, good news for all iPhone owners! Google Assistant is expanding past Android and venturing to iOS, meaning this brilliant app is now available on iPhones and iPads.
Google Photos
Encouraging sharing is what Google has got in mind here. The aim is to extend the available features by introducing three new elements to Google photos. The first is Suggested Sharing. This will make suggestions and recommendations as to who you should share your photos with; depending on who is featured in the photograph. They are also welcoming shared libraries; a feature which allows you to share photo albums, photographs from a certain date or photographs which features a similar interest you have with someone, your family pet for example. These will all be accessible through a combined photograph collection; giving you control of your shared photographs but also the opportunity to freely share those memories caught on camera.
Google will also offer printed photo books which you can create on your smartphone. This fab feature lets you create a collection of memories; which you can keep in your home ready to show any visitors! There are also talks of Google photos eventually being able to remove unwanted objects in your photographs, recognising unnecessary items in the image and removing these to eliminate any distractions in the photo.
Google Home
Since the launch of Google Home in San Fransisco last year, the product has added over 50 new features. The product which features Google Assistant, became available to purchase in the UK back in April, setting customers back £129 for the luxury of an artificial personal assistant. Now, they have announced the artificial intelligence system is to expand its features. Including being able to assist users with regular tasks they face in their day to day lives; such as making a phone call.
It is set to be able to make hands-free phone calls to your contacts from your own personal mobile number. The feature will recognise your voice, link it to your mobile number and create the call. Meaning the receiver will know who is calling them to save any confusion and increase efficiency. The device will also recognise up to 6 different voices and make adaptions to options depending on the person speaking.
The product will also notify users of any upcoming events, traffic delays and flight status changes and offer Bluetooth support and visual responses via Chromecast or Android TV. There’ll be no need to worry if you have an appointment at a certain time, as if you log it with Google Home, if will notify you to leave the house earlier due to there being traffic on route.
Standalone Daydream VR Headsets
The world of augmented and virtual reality is forever growing. One of Google’s biggest announcements to have come from Google I/O is that they have partnered with Daydream to build a standalone Daydream VR headset set to launch at the end of the year. The announcement came shortly after revealing the launch of Daydream support for Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus in the summer through a software update. Building on the Daydream smartphone VR headset launched last year; this standalone headset will eliminate any need for extra features and equipment, such as your phone. The product will include everything you need to enjoy the game. No more having to dock your smartphone into the headset as this is already included alongside a processor and positional tracking.
