Google I/O kicked off on
Thursday and we were shown a number of interesting product announcements.Google is
so predictable, in fact I was talking to one of my friends who is a “FanDroid”
(that’s what we call “Fans of Android” just to be clear) that I would name
almost every item that will be announced in the event and I was spot on (just
missed one though – Google Cardboard, VR)
Thursday and we were shown a number of interesting product announcements.Google is
so predictable, in fact I was talking to one of my friends who is a “FanDroid”
(that’s what we call “Fans of Android” just to be clear) that I would name
almost every item that will be announced in the event and I was spot on (just
missed one though – Google Cardboard, VR)
1. Android M
Android M looks a lot like its predecessor Lollipop. It’s more like a refined
version of Android, with power optimization, new services, and changes to how
your apps interact, you’ll be getting it later this year. Here are a few
pointers
version of Android, with power optimization, new services, and changes to how
your apps interact, you’ll be getting it later this year. Here are a few
pointers
App permissions get less intimidating – Apple
has done this years ago, this is a rip-off.
has done this years ago, this is a rip-off.
Chrome
in all your apps – This is definitely something I liked.
in all your apps – This is definitely something I liked.
Better
battery life and USB-C – In an effort to save battery life, Google introduced a
new feature called Doze. Android M uses motion detection to go into deeper
sleep if inactive for longer periods of time. While dozing, devices can still
respond to high-priority messages and use alarms. USB Type-C will also be
supported on Android.
battery life and USB-C – In an effort to save battery life, Google introduced a
new feature called Doze. Android M uses motion detection to go into deeper
sleep if inactive for longer periods of time. While dozing, devices can still
respond to high-priority messages and use alarms. USB Type-C will also be
supported on Android.
 |
| Better battery life and USB-C
Google Now on Tap – One of the best announcement yesterday –
Google Now is getting smarter, and it’s going to be incorporated throughout the phone, through a program called Now on Tap. With Now on Tap, you can hold the home button and bring up Now cards with relevant information, whether you’re in an app, email, or web browser. For example, if someone emails you about going to a movie, summoning Now displays information about whatever was mentioned, with links to YouTube trailers, ratings, and other info. |
A new
Google Photos app with free online storage – I don’t see how is this different
from G+ or from “Apple Photos”, anyways, Google already has a photo tool for
your Android phone, but Google Photos is a revamped app that
will back up an unlimited number of photos and videos for free (photos up to
16MP, video up to 1080p), organize them as a timeline.
Google Photos app with free online storage – I don’t see how is this different
from G+ or from “Apple Photos”, anyways, Google already has a photo tool for
your Android phone, but Google Photos is a revamped app that
will back up an unlimited number of photos and videos for free (photos up to
16MP, video up to 1080p), organize them as a timeline.
 |
| Google Photos app
Offline Maps and Chrome for developing countries – Google announced a bunch of updates
designed to make its products work better in parts of the world with poor connectivity. A new streamlined search results page will load faster with a spotty connection and optimize pages to load fewer images. |
 |
| Offline Maps and Chrome
Android Wear – Google added
some powerful new apps to its Android Wear smartwatch OS, including an easy option for calling Uber cars. It also reiterated some of the ways it’s smoothed out the platform. |
IOT – Google has announced Project Brillo, it’s an
operating system build on the lower layers of android.Weave, Weave is a
communications system that will let smart devices talk to each other.
operating system build on the lower layers of android.Weave, Weave is a
communications system that will let smart devices talk to each other.
Android Pay : Now that Apple has gotten serious about mobile payments with Apple Pay, we anticipate Google Wallet getting some love during IO 2015. The world is still wary of mobile payments, especially in the wake of massive credit card hacks, so it’s yet to be proven if Apple Pay (or any service) is the silver bullet to the anti-credit card conundrum. Despite that – or maybe because of it – we want Google to swing for the fences with a revamped Google Wallet.
Virtual Reality – Google’s
big jump into virtual reality Yes, VR gets its own
section now. Google put some decent effort into promoting VR during the event
and it’s definitely decent.
big jump into virtual reality Yes, VR gets its own
section now. Google put some decent effort into promoting VR during the event
and it’s definitely decent.
