Tuesday marked the beginning of Google I/O, the company’s annual developers conference. The 3-day event was held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.
This conference showcased some Google’s newest technology and further proved why Google still ranks number one when it comes to AI and machine learning innovation.
While there were many jaw-dropping announcements, this is what we can expect from Google’s AI efforts over the next few months:
1. IMPROVEMENTS IN GMAIL
Google has upgraded Gmail, rolling out a new “Smart Compose” feature. This feature now has the ability to autocomplete entire emails. All you have to do is keep hitting the Tab button and watch the magic unfold.
2. GOOGLE PHOTOS REVAMP
At the conference, Google announced many new features for Google Photos, mainly powered by AI. One such new feature is “Suggested Actions.” This feature can spot friends in your photos and share those photos with them with the press of a single button. Additionally, Google Photos can instantly turn photos of documents into PDFs. It also removes color from your photos, or re-colorizes old black-and-white photos of your relatives.
3. GOOGLE ASSISTANT UPGRADE
Google’s primary AI offering – the Google Assistant – has also made a major breakthrough. Soon, it will sound more natural. The new voice of the Assistant is that of R&B star John Legend.
A new feature called ‘Continued Conversations’ has also been added, which means you don’t need to say “OK Google” to activate voice commands. You can simply ask as many questions as you like after saying “OK Google” once, and the Google Assistant will also remember your past answers and parse multiple questions in a single sentence.
It has also introduced a new feature to help kids develop good manners. The politeness feature now gives credit for saying “please” when you ask for something from Google Assistant which yields kindness and even a compliment from Google.
4. NEW ANDROID VERSION
Google is working on a new version of Android called “Android P.” This will focus on “digital wellbeing.”
Google aims for users to spend less time on their phones and more time with family and friends. Android will now give users information about how to use their phones, and even create controls to limit time on screen, particularly with certain apps such as YouTube.
Android P also has a feature called “Shush” mode, which will automatically activate DND Mode when you put your phone face down on a table or surface. It also uses a pop-up auto rotate button if you rotate the phone, either on purpose or accidentally.
5. GOOGLE SUBSCRIPTIONS
A new feature called “Subscribe with Google” now allows users to access subscriptions and paid content from anywhere: Google Search, Google News, and even publishers’ websites.
6. ANDROID PHONES
Google is preparing for the future of Android phones – ones free of buttons. These phones, powered by Android P, come with a new navigation system that makes multitasking easier by emphasizing gestures instead of buttons.
7. GOOGLE MAPS UPGRADE
Google also showed off some very cool technology for Google Maps that allows users to use their phone camera to navigate around town using Street View. You can wave your phone in front of you, and see the Street View version of what you’re seeing on your phone. If you need directions, giant arrows will point you where to go next.
8. GOOGLE LENS
Google Lens also has a new feature called “Style Match,” where if you point your phone’s camera at an outfit, accessories, or furniture, Google will use its object recognition and machine-learning prowess to help you buy that item online, and even show similar styles that you might like. Additionally, if you point your phone’s camera at a book, you can highlight the text with your finger, and copy it to your phone.
With so many new and exciting innovations, Google is certainly striving to make our lives easier just as it did when it launched Google Search.
