Didn't get an opportunity to watch Google I/O 2021 live? Here's everything the Tech Giant announced at its annual developer conference.
Google I/O developer conference made a big return to the virtual stage with a keynote event, and the search giant had lots to unveil in the software department. But despite rumors, Google didn't drop any of the new smartphones and wearables we were expecting for. The Keynote began with the mantra "Building a more helpful Google for everybody" -- determined to be useful in minutes that matter.
Here's everything that Google revealed
SMART CANVAS
Here's the best place where you can work in Docs and video chat at the same time. And Google also introduced 12 new updates to Google Workspace apps, dubbed smart canvas. Some of the new features are already revealed on live and some features are will be live in the upcoming weeks. These Includes:
# New smart chips for @-mention -- Docs
# The option to remove page boundaries -- Docs
# Emoji reactions -- Docs
# Inclusive language recommendations -- Docs
# Smarter meeting notes templates -- Docs
# Connected checklists -- Docs
# Table templates -- Docs
# Google meet integrated directly into the interface of Docs, Sheets, and Slides
# Live captions and translations -- Meet
# Timeline view -- sheets
# Assisted functionally like formula suggestions -- sheets
# the option to create and edit Docs, Sheets, and Slides in Google Chats.
LaMDA
Still in the research and development phase, Google announced LaMDA --[Language Model for Dialogue Applications] as its latest breakthrough in conversational AI.
This Service is meant to provide free-flowing conversations that feel more like a natural dialogue than previous chatbots. At the keynote, they riveting the conversations with LaMDA speaking from the Perspective of pluto(yes, the planet) and a paper airplane which is built on a transformer, a neural network architecture from Google Research.
Password Manager Updates
Many of us probably use Google's Password Manager, without realizing it, especially if you're a Chrome Browser fan. The latest update makes it easier to detect when a password may be compromised and makes it easier to change it. At one place, Google Assistant will use a single tap to navigate to the site and walk you through changing your password on the supported pages.
On the other updates, Over the desktop and mobile now you can easily import passwords from other password managers to fill in passwords.
New Safety and Privacy features
# Quick Delete in Search: Just looked up something embarrassing? You can now get rid of the last 15 minutes of your search history with a single step.
# Locked Folders: Now you can hide away your Google photos with a google password-protected locked folder in the google photos app. At now they bringing this feature in pixel phone only and later it will be on android phones also.
# Location History Reminders: Now you can delete recent search history from your Google account with a couple of taps and maps will give you the option to turn off your location history.
AI Advances
Google is working on using artificial intelligence to do a number of things, from solving health issues to improving search capabilities. New AI projects that Google revealed include:
# Multitask Unified Model (MUM): Google is trying to solve so many new innovations for search that aims to integrate advanced terms and photos into the search experience.
# Tuberculosis Screening: AI-powered screenings if chest X-rays to help cut costs of TB testing.
# Dermatology assist tool: Later this year a web-based app is meant to launch to analyze photos and questions about your skin issue to give you information about what condition it could be.
# Google Lens: the camera-based app can be used to solve a math problem or assess a screenshot for shoppable elements.
Google Maps Updates
# Routing updates: To reduce hard-braking incidents mostly reducing car accidents, the app will calculate multiple route options using several factors.
# Live View: Using AR, Live view can help you to explore your neighborhoods and see helpful details within the app while walking around, like how busy a restaurant is or exactly which street you're on.
# Detailed and tailored maps: More detailed maps will be launching in 50 cities, better depicting complicated intersections and pedestrian routes. Tailored maps will take into account aspects such as the time of the day to better present map elements, like shops in the morning.
Android 12
The anticipated competitor to ios 15 is now available in its beta form of Android 12.
# A Redesigned UI: Many design elements can now be personalized on pixel phones, like color palettes, animations, and system spaces.
# More security: Android 12 includes new transparency features, a privacy Dashboard, and camera status within apps.
Google photos and Camera
Google is actively working to make its camera more racist. The app is about more than just storing your photos, and the new features make that clear.
# A new Memories Feature: This will identify little patterns across your photos to put together a collection of memories that are even more personal to you.
# Cinematic moments: Similar to Apple's Live Photos, the feature will take the multiple still shots that you may take while trying to get the perfect shot and create a moving picture.
# Control over Memories: There are additional controls to hide Memories and photos you'd rather not revisit.
# Camera changes: Google's latest camera will better identify wavy and curly hair patterns against backgrounds, and better light darkens the skin.
Wear OS
No new smartwatches, but a new OS is on the way. While we didn't get new wearables, we did see an update to Wear, which comes on the back of the new partnership with Fitbit. mainly, Google is working to combine Wear with Samsung's Tizen to offer a longer battery life, new apps, and Tiles, and an optimized flow between watch functions.
Project Starline
Perhaps the most unique deliverable of the event, Project Starline seems to be Google's latest attempt to fight loneliness during the pandemic. The AR-powered holographic experience is a tech project that aims to help people feel like they're in the same room, even from miles apart. Currently, it's only available in select Google offices.
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