At Google’s annual I/O developer conference yesterday, the firm unveiled a number of exciting new additions to its service and product lineup. Here is a look at some of the most interesting developments from the event, which was held in Mountain View, California.
Allo and Duo
Google is boldly stepping into the already-crowded messaging app market with the announcement of two new messaging apps known as Allo and Duo.
The firm is calling Allo a “smart messaging app” because it will contain a special machine learning Google Assistant that suggests messages you might like to send that improve over time as it learns the words you tend to use. It will also have an in-app assistant that can help users get sports updates, book restaurants, and carry out other tasks.. Like WhatsApp, it will be based on users’ phone numbers and will bear end-to-end encryption.
Meanwhile, Duo takes this one step further by providing video calls a la FaceTime. It will be based on phone numbers just like Allo, and will work across iOS and Android devices. There will be end-to-end encryption and HD video. The two apps are expected to launch this summer.
Home
Another big announcement the firm made was the launch of its new artificial intelligence Home speaker, which can be controlled by users’ voices and connects various devices around the house. Similar in concept to Amazon Echo, it can turn on lights, play music, or retrieve facts and information in response to simple voice commands.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai summed it up this way: “It’s like having a voice-activated remote control to the real world whenever you need it.”
Android N
Google confirmed that the latest version of its Android OS will hit the market later this year with significant improvements to its runtime and graphics. Picture-in-picture, split-screen modes, and new emoji are just a few changes that are on the cards for the yet-to-be-named OS.
Daydream
The firm also announced a new mobile virtual reality platform that will be built on top of Android N known as Daydream, which will give users high-quality VR capabilities on Android devices. Google has also created VR versions of several popular apps, including the Google Play Store, YouTube, Street View, and Play Movies.
Instant Apps
Google took the opportunity to preview Android Instant Apps, a feature that will allow people to use parts of apps directly from the Google Play store without installing the app itself. This is expected to be launched this fall.
