News

What is new at Google I/O?

It is that time of year when Google steps out and shows developers what goodies they have been working on. Having spent the last few years making Android into the a beautifully well rounded and reliable operating system there was talk that Google might not have much to offer this year. Those folks were wrong and it would appear Google have been busier than ever.

Android One

The Android One initiative is to allow everyone access to affordable, high-quality devices. All devices will run a stock version of Android, but OEMs can customise it within the guidelines in order to include “locally relevant” features.Android One will launch in India this autumn, with the first devices from the likes of Micromax and Karbonn priced at under $100. A worldwide rollout will follow.

Android L

Some might say Lolli-pop, I’m sticking with Android L, it sounds super swish. The latest version of Android focuses on a new user interface. Taking steps to push a consistent look and feel across Android devices comprising of new animations, 3D views and ripple touch feedback on buttons. Whilst the finished version is a little ways off Google were happy to demonstrate how Gmail and the phone dialer will evolve with the changes.

Are are a new enhanced features. Notifications are being introduced, which deliver notifications directly to the lock screen and can be accessed or dismissed much quicker. Personal locking is something we have seen on a couple of other devices from Samsung, however Google are looking to perfect this as wearing a connected Android Wear smartwatch, the smartphone will not require a password to access. Google also introduced a new battery saver mode, 64-bit support and improved graphics to match PCs

Android Wear

You might have noticed the LG G Watch and a Samsung-made Gear Live device will be available to order from Google Play. Android is arriving on your wrist with voice commands at will allow users to do things such as request flight boarding passes, while users can also connect with their Android phone to control music. There was a short demonstration to order and pay for Pizza right on the wrist. There were a few unhappy murmurs from the audience as the rounded Motorola 360 is not to ship until later this year.
 

Android Auto

Cars are getting the Google treatment this year with a new software solution to feature voice-controlled access to Google Maps, text messaging and apps. The voice recognition feature means that users should never have to remove their hands from the wheel of their vehicle to use the system as safety is one of the main focuses of Google.

Android Apps on Chromebooks

Android apps to purposed to run on Chromebooks fairly soon. The implications of this are massive, We saw a demonstration of Evernote, Flipboard and Vine running in suspended windows on Google’s Chrome OS, allowing the app to flexibly switch between mobile and tablet formats depending on the user’s need. One of the main criticisms is that the apps on Android are optimised touchscreen and only a few Chromebooks adopt this, even then the experience is little more than a novelty. 

Google Fit

Google Fit will use data from various health trackers across Android devices to build detailed analysis of their fitness level, using partners such as Nike, Adidas and RunKeeper on the platform. This announemnty was made all the more interesting by a brief interruption by a protestor during a keynote address.

Android TV

We saw Android TV and a variety of applications and games on a simplified user interface. Gaming is a major focuses of the platform, a tablet can be used as a controller while an Android game is being screened on the television display. There was also a dedicated gamepad to allow overall control the interface alongside gaming. We should see Android TV launched in the autumn.

Don’t believe me? Watch it all here:

Google Glass hits the UK

Google Glass si to go on sale in the UK from Monday, June 23. The wearable will be  available to anyone over the age of 18 and cost £1,000. The Glass Explorer Programme is specifically designed to make Glass available to a wider range of people. Google is hoping it will help better prepare the product for its full consumer launch.

“Technology is at its best when it fits seamlessly into our lives and lets us get on with whatever we’re doing. Our goal for Glass is exactly that – to make it easier to bring people the technology they rely on without drawing them out of the moment,” said Ivy Ross, head of Glass.

Those wishing to test the technology out – but not necessarily keen on the idea of parting with £1,000 – will also be able to request a demo of it at Google’s Basecamp event in London on June 27 and 28. There is no word yet as to when Google Glass will go on general sale, and the company has insisted that the technology is still in the prototyping phase.

Apple and Samsung call it quits

An anti-climactic end to a bitter battle, but is also a relief. Samsung and Apple have finally tired of the “Thermonuclear” patent war. Apparently, the two companies want to drop the fight because they still want access to each other’s business. Here’s a quote with more of the details,

New news on Youtube is good and bad

There are two YouTube related stories happening at the moment. First up, the YouTube arm of Google will be launching a paid music streaming service by the end of this summer. Supposedly, YouTube partnered with “hundreds of major and independent” music labels for the new service. YouTube reps supposedly said, 

“We’re adding subscription-based features for music on YouTube with this in mind – to bring our music partners new revenue streams in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars YouTube already generates for them each year,”

As you can expect, not all the music labels are too happy about this though as there is a darker side to this idea. Supposedly, Google plans to block the YouTube content of record labels who don’t get on board with Google’s new program. Here’s a quote with a few more details,

The news comes as some music trade groups have criticized YouTube’s plans to potentially block the content of certain labels from appearing on YouTube’s free, ad-supported Website unless they sign deals to participate in the new, subscription streaming music service. The deals that YouTube is offering are on “highly unfavorable, and non-negotiable terms,” according to a news release issued by the Worldwide Independent Music Industry Network last month. Reuters

It will be interesting to see how this pans out. It doesn’t seem very Googley of Google to be strong-arming the music industry just to get their way, but they have done it before. Of course, it’s also possible this report’s sources are inaccurate, so we will keep an eye out.

Speaking of keeping an eye out, the second big YouTube story of the day regards the use of YouTube live streaming on the Chromecast. Previously, being able to live stream content to your Chromecast only worked from your computer. Google has added some new functionality to the device though. Google updated the Chromecast so now you can push live events from YouTube straight to the TV screen via Chromecast on your mobile device. Handy!