Many of you might have already watched the live streaming of Google I/O 2019. For those who missed it, we have covered all important announcements that were made by Google in the I/O 2019 Keynote.
So, let’s get started with the most important announcements made in Google I/O 2019.
Google Search
Google Search is obviously among the company’s most essential products, and Google made several announcements related to Search. The first feature mentioned was the addition of podcast support, giving users the ability to find podcasts in search and even save episodes to listen to later.
Even cooler than that is camera integration and augmented reality capabilities in mobile searches. Users can now search for things and then actually interact with the results right before their eyes using the AR feature.
For Example, If you searched for the Big White Shark, then the result will be right in front of your eyes with the inbuilt AR function.
Google Lens
Google Lens, the visual search tool, is also getting new features. The coolest example was the ability to point your phone’s camera at a menu in a restaurant and have Google Lens highlight the most popular dishes using AR. Another thing is that If you are unable to read some language that you aren’t familiar with then the Google lens will speak to you in your native language.
Another example was pointing the phone’s camera at a recipe in a magazine and seeing a video of the steps played out right on your screen. Isn’t it cool? You will get these updates in this near summer. And the exciting thing is that the update will roll out to Google Go as well so that the entry-level smartphone users can also have some fun.
Google Duplex for Web
Google Duplex is the AI feature that acts as a virtual personal assistant. The service rolled out last year with the capability to make actual phone calls to restaurants and have reservations made on your behalf.
Duplex has now moved onto your phone. Using integration with Google Assistant on your phone, Duplex can, for example, navigation through a website and book a car for you. It knows the dates of your trip and your car preferences from Gmail and history so that it can do all the work for you. It will be releasing later this year in some of the devices.
Google Assistant
Google’s next-gen Assistant is all about speed. Long story short, the next-gen Google Assistant processes requests at incredible speeds, letting users speak command after command in rapid succession with no problem at all. The “continued conversation” feature also lets users speak more naturally, rather than having to say an awake command like “Hey Google” ahead of each request.
Google’s next-generation Assistant will be available at first only on new Pixel phones later this year.
Live Caption
It is an excellent new Live Caption feature which adds subtitles to any audio or video source. It runs entirely on the device, so no data needs to be sent or received to make it work.
Live caption will be introduced in Android Q, but Google is also working on adding the feature to more than just videos and audio files — Live Caption will also support live phone conversations, and it will be called “Live Relay.”
But there is already a Live Caption feature in YouTube. You need to open any Livestream and in Settings menu turn on the captions.
Android Q
Google announced at its I/O 2019 conference that there are now 2.5 billion active Android devices around the world. Android 10 is the next big Android release set to hit devices later this year. The first Android Q beta has already been released of course, but Google announced several new features are coming to an updated version of the Android Q beta.
Support for smartphones with foldable displays is a significant aspect of Android Q, and the native 5G support is built right into Android Q. The all-new Live Caption feature discussed above is built right into Android Q, and it uses speech recognition directly on the device.
Another cool Android feature is called Smart Reply, and it will now work across all messaging apps on Android devices. Smart Reply predicts not just words, but phrases and even full replies.
Oh, and as expected, Android Q will also get Dark Theme support!
Nest Home Max
Google has combined its Nest and smart home teams, and all smart home devices will now fall under the Nest brand. The first new device that will introduce under the updated umbrella brand is the Nest Home Max.
The Nest Hub Max will be released this summer for $229. Also, the original Home Hub, now called the Nest Hub, gets a price cut beginning immediately to $129.
Budget Pixel Phones: Pixel 3a, 3a XL
It’s certainly no surprise since every last detail has already leaked, but Google finally made the new Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL smartphones official.
Pricing starts at $399, and the phones have already released in black, white, and a slight purple color called “Purple-ish.” They’ll be available unlocked, as well as from Verizon and T-Mobile.
