Following on from Apple’s WWDC announcements, it’s only fair that we look at some other options as well. Google held its I/O developers conference recently and let’s just say that the sheer amount of announcements and changes coming will span much further than this blog post. I will however try to make the rather “nerdy” information understandable to the layman, luddite and tech-enthusiasts alike.
So with I/O Google made one thing abundantly clear, they want to be on every screen you own. Whether it’s your television, car HUD’s (heads up display), smartphones, tablets or wearables. But moreover, Google wants to give you a cohesive, unified experience.
The first announcement was fantastic, particularly for the third/developing world. Android One will bring smartphones to emerging markets for a little as $100. The hardware platform (devices) is specifically designed to run stock Android on devices made from low-cost parts that are easily available. Initially set to start in India, global rollout will follow.
Next up was design guru, Matias Duarte, and the launch of Google’s new design language, Material Design. This will extend to not only Google’s web products but to its mobile OS, Android, as well. Light, minimal, airy and more breathing room around text, Material Design is defined by google as: “We challenged ourselves to create a visual language for our users that synthesizes the classic principles of good design with the innovation and possibility of technology and science. This is material design.”
The next version of Android was also announced, simply titled “L” for now. There are many changes in L from KitKat, including a reworked lockscreen where you can interact directly with notifications, a new multitasking system, sleek animations, and lots and lots of depth and subtle tweaks.
Search is the core functionality of Google, and on Android it’s no different. Think of Google Search on Android at the moment as a 2D offering, soon to become a 3D monster, with deep linking, interactive search results pages and even search within apps installed on your device. That last point might sound strange, but let me clarify, it’s not searching your installed apps, it’ll be searching IN you installed apps. Basically it’s designed to get you the information you want, faster.
Battery life is arguably the sorest point for smartphone owners, and the new Project Volta is aimed at alleviating some of these frustrations for Android users. How it all works is a little complicated for this post, but you can rest assured that as soon as I get my next Nexus I’ll be doing a thorough review!
Android L also includes a brand new “kill switch” which will let you remote wipe your device if it’s been lost or stolen. This sounds exactly like Android Device Manager, no? Well yes, and no, currently if you Android device is stolen you can remotely wipe it, until the thief or new “owner” has done a factory reset. However, with Android L you will be able to wipe the device remotely even AFTER a factory reset, about time!
The stylish Moto 360
Android Wear was probably the biggest announcement at I/O, as the new smart watches had the whole internet buzzing. Wear is about one thing, simplicity. It’s about giving users information they need, at a glance, when they need it. You can navigate your Google Now cards, interact by voice with your notifications, as well as getting weather updates and the like. You can order a taxi from Lyft, and presumably Uber in the future, and Wear will also monitor and store your health information.
Two smartwatches were released at I/O, the LG G and the Samsung Gear Live. Sadly the highly anticipated Moto 360 (which is the best looking of the lot) isn’t available just yet, but it was confirmed and being the first smartwatch with a round face, I am very interested to see how it does. (Hint: I reckon it’ll be a massive hit.)
At the start of the post I mentioned that Google wants to be on every screen you own and that’s where Android TV and Android Auto come into the picture – pun totally intended. Android Auto will live in the HUD (head’s up display) of a number of vehicles, giving you seamless integration of your mobile to your car. Think your messages, music and navigational solutions in your pocket, now in your car.
Android TV was the other major announcement and by connecting your smart device, whether a phone, tablet or wearable to your television, Google has brought you full circle. Watch films and television shows right from the Play Store on your television, without a Chromecast. Control Android TV via voice on your smartwatch, so if you just watched an old Russell Crowe movie, but want to know his latest, all you need to do is say “OK Google, what is Russell Crowe’s latest film?” and the options will be right there on your television, ready to watch.
The biggest weakness in my opinion that Android has, is that there is no real eco-system to it. There is no desktop equivalent, there is not Mac OS X to its iOS. That however, has all changed. Android and Chrome will start living and working together much more closely, and add a full Office suite in the mix with Google Drive and what you have is a Google eco-system, that is accessible from anywhere, from any machine. I know Chromebooks aren’t that popular in South Africa yet, but with these developments, they might just become a little bit more “must-have” – I know I want one!
Lastly Google left developers with a cardboard box, but in true Google fashion it’s not just another cardboard box, it’s a fully-fledged Virtual Reality headset when combined with an Android device. *cough Occulus Rift *cough $2 Billion *cough Facebook. This might have been the way that Google signed off the I/O keynote, but I can’t wait to see what the amazingly creative Android developers create from these cardboard cut-outs.
As you can see, I/O was jam-packed full of goodness and whether you’re an Android user, or not, you have to be excited with where technology is going. It’s all geared towards making our lives easier, simpler; to give you more time to do what comes naturally, being a human-being.
