Updates for Google Maps and Android The news of the developer conference Google I/O
19.05.2021 author:
Melanie Staudacher
Among the innovations that Google will present at the developer conference I/O are updates for Google Maps, Android and data security. But also the smartwatch Wear OS and Smart Canvas for collaboration with Google Workspace and AI projects.
Companies on the topic
CEO Sundar Pichai presented the AI projects Lamda and Starline on the first day of the Google I/O developer conference.
(Image: Google)
After a break of one year, the virtual developer conference Google I/O started on the evening of 18 May, which lasts until 20 May. Google wants to shape the future with high-quality video conferences and software that can independently conduct a conversation. At the conference, the Internet giant gave a preview of the next version of the smartphone system Android and introduced new features to protect privacy in its own services.
Google Updates and data security
At the Kickoff keynote, Google presented the following product innovations:
- Artificial Intelligence: New AI updates are intended to make products even more intuitive. For example, Google Search can use MUM (Multitask Unified Model) technology to better understand more complex questions and needs in the future.
- Five updates for Google Maps: With the help of machine learning and navigation data, Google Maps will calculate route options in the future in such a way that motorists are less likely to have to brake hard on their way and arrive more safely. In addition, busy places in maps will soon be more visible and detailed road maps will also be available in selected German cities. Extensions for the Live View feature are also planned.
- Android 12 Beta available: According to Google, Android is now in use on more than three billion active devices worldwide. Android 12 is supposed to focus on an even more personal smartphone and gets a redesign. The Android 12 Beta version is now available for Pixel smartphones, later on other devices.
- Data security: For more Online security and privacy on the net, Google introduced a password-protected “locked” folder in Google photos. There is also the possibility to delete the search history of the last 15 minutes in the Google Search, as well as new functions for the password manager.
- Google Workspace: With Smart Canvas, Google Cloud introduces a product that aims to improve collaboration for Google Workspace. Smart Canvas makes documents, tables and presentations smarter and more interactive.
The AI projects of Google
During development, Google placed a special focus on machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). Thus, the software Lamda was demonstrated, which can have a conversation with a human being. The answers are not predetermined, but are generated by the program on the basis of existing information, stressed Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Google presented two examples of a dialogue: the software slipped first into the role of the planet Pluto and then into that of a paper plane. She answered questions about whether there were already visitors to the planet or how far the paper plane has flown before.
AI is also used in the Starline project. The video system captures people and light conditions from more than a dozen cameras and sensors. Newly developed screens should be able to reproduce the details particularly realistically.
Google Wear OS with Samsung
To better compete with the market leader Apple Watch, Google and Samsung have teamed up. Samsung will no longer equip the next smartwatches with its own operating system Tizen, but will switch to Google’s Wear OS platform. At the same time, wear with Tizen elements is to be further developed into an overarching system.
In the coming weeks, the developer conferences of Facebook and Apple will follow, also in an online format. For manufacturers, the annual events are traditionally an important opportunity to give an insight into their strategies. Usually thousands of software developers and media representatives come to California. In view of the corona pandemic, the companies are now forced to switch to online events for the second year in a row.
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