Android O, virtual reality (VR) goggles and more: all the news from Google I/O

Philipp Rüegg

18.5.2017

Translation: machine translated

Countless new features were announced at Wednesday night's Google I/O developer conference, especially for Android fans. Here's a rundown of the main Android O announcements, from standalone VR goggles to the ambitious Google Lens project.

Like every year, tech geeks like me can't wait to find out what Google has in store for them at its own developer conference. This year too, Google I/O in San Francisco didn't skimp on exciting releases. Many were already known, others created surprises. Here's a look.

Android O

The launch is scheduled for the end of the summer. Some features have been known since the preview version. Those curious with the appropriate device (Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, Pixel, and Pixel XL) can download the beta by clicking here.

If you prefer to let other users test the beta, here are the main new features:

• Picture in Picture (PIP) mode, which allows you to freely scroll through open apps on the screen. Currently only works with the premium version of YouTube, YouTube Red, and the Duo video chat app.
• Notification dots: little dots appear on app icons when you have notifications. A similar principle to the one the iPhone already has in the form of numbers. A prolonged click on the application allows you to obtain additional information without having to launch the application.

• New emojis. The pretty blob emojis are disappearing, making way for new emojis similar to those on WhatsApp. You'll no longer have to update the system to get fun new faces on your mobile, as was the case until now.
• Autofill inserts passwords and login credentials not only in the browser, but also in any application.

• Smart text selection: Double-click text, and Google recognises related words such as email addresses, restaurant names or phone numbers. Google automatically selects the correct passages.

• The Pixel Launcher can change the shape of app icons, and a long click on apps takes you directly to the widget shortcut.
• The Android stock interface can now receive themes. The corresponding option is in the current beta version. As with many other devices, this one lets you change the screen design at the touch of a button.

• The new Pixel Launcher will also be available for Android TV in an adapted form.

• Google Play Protect, which has long protected the operating system from malicious apps, has made a splash. In addition, the system has benefited from new technologies and will be available on all devices with Play services.

• The boot time with Android O is twice as fast as with Android N on the Google Pixel (reference) and apps also start up significantly faster.
• Once again, it's all about saving battery with various techniques called "wise limits" in Android O.
• New Kotlin programming language that is not based on Java. It was met with great enthusiasm by the developers present.

• Android Go optimised for low-power devices with 1GB of RAM or less. By the end of the year, Go will be available on all Android devices.
• YouTube Go, which is already available, will get a video preview version. This application will allow you to save a lot of data. Interesting for people who don't have an unlimited subscription.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)

• Daydream, Google's own VR headset, is extending its compatibility to the Galaxy S8 and S8+. At the same time, Google has announced a standalone headset that works without a smartphone or PC. Qualcomm has developed a reference model. Lenovo and HTC are following suit. They should be out by the end of the year.

• Tango, Google's AR software, now also works with Google Maps. This is achieved by using VPS (Visual Positioning Service), a GPS that guides the user through an indoor environment. Navigation in a DIY shop was used as a demo version to direct users directly to the tool they were looking for.

Google Assistant and Google Lens

• Google Lens is a version on steroids of the well-known Google Goggles app. Google Lens can be launched directly from Google Assistant. Since the WiFi password is often affixed to the router, you can thus scan it with the mobile phone, and Google Assistant automatically records it.
• Or you simply look with the camera through the wearable, and Google delivers information about the environment. Just like the old days with Google Glass.
• Google Lens will also soon be able to translate languages simultaneously like Google Translate when you point the camera at text.
• Google Assistant comes with new languages such as French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.
• Third-party apps will also be able to access Google Assistant.
• Google Assistant can now be consulted via text input on a keyboard, and no longer just by voice interaction.
• Google Assistant is also now available for iPhone.

Google Home

• Starts in Germany, France, Australia, Canada and the UK, but not Switzerland;(
• Google Home is now able to distinguish between up to six different people using their voice.

• The intelligent Home Assistant now offers hands-free mode. For now only in the US, unfortunately.
• The device assists you when shopping by buying for you, like Amazon's Alexa.

• Google Home is proactive, turning on when it has something to say and has a notification system.
• Support for Spotify is coming. The same goes for Soundcloud and Deezer, at a later date.
• Bluetooth support allowing you to listen to any sound from your smartphone.
• Can display responses directly on a screen connected to Google Cast.

My Google Home, which I heavily neglect, kept lighting up during the conference because someone said "OK Google" several times during the Live-Stream. The stream of words that followed confused it most of the time. He often answered the same questions as in the Stream. The good news: the device still works.

Google Photos

• Will be able to delete awkward elements in the future. For example, when a photo is taken through a fence, Google can detect this and remove it.
• Can share its library, in full or in part, with other users. On request, new photos will also be synced automatically. You can even choose to restrict the sharing or synchronisation of photos to certain people.

• In the future, you'll suggest photos to share with your friends, and who to send them to, whether the recipient has Google Photos or not. The recipient can add their own photos.
• Like photo albums? You'll now also be able to create them in Google Photos and have them printed. For the moment only in the USA.

• Google Lens is also used for Google Photos. It recognises photos and provides information, for example indicating which painting you are standing in front of or which building you have photographed.

YouTube

• 360° videos are making their appearance on televisions.
• You can buy a message to be put in the foreground; it will then remain pinned at the very top of the chat. In addition, users can launch missions that youtubers then have to carry out. During the demonstration, water balloons were launched at the Slo Mo Guys. This new feature is called Super Chat.

Google Search

• Able to optionally display job offers tailored to the user's profile. Thanks to machine learning, interesting results are displayed, as well as the distance to the new workplace.

The big misses

Nothing new about the chaos of Google Messenger such as Hangouts, Allo, Messages and so on. Android Wear has also been sidelined, which isn't really a testament to its success. Nor was there any mention of Andromeda, the merger of Android and Chrome OS.

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Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

Being the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur. more