During Google’s annually developer conference, called Google I/O, the search engine behemoth announced a plan — to takeover the world.
Ok, not in a bad way, I don’t think.
We all know that you can Google anything and anyone. However, Google wants to make that experience a seamless one, from your phone, your wrist, your car, your television – you get the idea.
During Google I/O, many things were discussed in dizzying detail. However, a few interesting points stood out during the conference. Google wants to give everyone the ability to be spied on the Internet. Google’s Android operating system reportedly has the largest user-base in the world, with upwards of 1 billion people. Some analysts project Android’s market share to be near 80% globally by the end of the year.
Enter Android One, a new platform that allows emerging countries to develop Android smartphones in a cost-effective manner and at scale for under $100. African nations, India and China can really benefit from cost-effective devices with pay-as-you-go data plans. Props to Google, as this is how you start micro economies.
Though Android updates are typically nicknamed after some sort of delicious confection or dessert such as ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ or ‘Kit-Kat,’ now Google is simply calling its newest mobile OS ‘Android L’. At this point there is now word on what the ‘L’ means. Some have reported the ‘L’ is for sale, in terms of cross-marketing potential with a confections company.
Google follows the new theory of having its OS on every screen available. Android Auto, Android TV and Google Fit were all announced. The previously announced Android Wear (for watches and wearables) was also on center stage.
Android L is built on a 64-bit architecture, similar to that of Apple’s iOS 7. The UX (user experience) is more streamlined than before with an enhanced actionable cards interface. This new interface theme will be consistent from phones, tablets, watches and some Chromebooks. Chromebooks will now share some apps other Android devices. For instance, imagine catching up on the latest news with your favorite news app on your phone. Simply walking near your Chromebook will automatically authenticate the app and pull up your news – no passwords necessary.
The new Android TV feature incorporates screen share as well. In a room of Android L devices, all of these devices can be paired through ultrasound. The ultrasound emits through your television speakers and allows other Android devices to share the screens to the television — no Wi-Fi sharing or clunky mirroring apps needed.
While watching the extremely long presentation, two moments captured the crowd’s attention.
Two separate protesters interrupted the presentation. Would you have ever guessed? Angry protesters at a tech conference? These geek streets are real folks. Now that consistency and security are being taken seriously, and with a renewed focus on unification of UI, it seems that Google has finally grown up.
