At last year's developer conference, Google revealed it plans to get rid of passwords in favor Project Abacus, that uses machine intelligence to verify user's identity based on various patterns. At this year's I/O, Dan Kaufman, Director of Google's ATAP team revealed more details about Project Abacus.
To recall, Project Abacus was seen as an improvement over two-factor authentication. Google said that passwords and PINs are hard to remember and the new sign-in system is aimed at learning users patterns like typing, walking, location and more to verify user identity and unlock the device.
TechCrunch reports that Kaufman has confirmed that with Project Abacus, users will be able to unlock a device or sign-in to an app based on "Trust Score", which is calculated based on various user patterns.
Adding more details about Project Abacus, Kaufman said ", "We have a phone, and these phones have all
these sensors in them. Why couldn't it just know who I was, so I don't
need a password? I should just be able to work.". He also said that engineers at Google have turned the 'Trust Score' to Trust API.
Google will be testing the Trust API with several financial institutions next month, and if all goes well, it show become available to Android developers by the end of this year.
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Denim jeans company Levi in collaboration with Google's ATAP (Advanced Technology Projects) have developed a new jacked called Commuter 'Trucker Jacket' aimed at cyclists.
The jacket is embedded with gesture sensor that lets you interact with smartphone, just by swiping in various ways, and a Jacquard Tag, that activates wireless connectivity between the jacket and mobile device.
You can interact with the jacket by tapping, swiping or holding on the left cuff to perform various tasks including changing music tracks, blocking or answering calls, or accessing navigation information and nearby places that are transmitted via voice.
The Jacquard Tag is flexible and has a USB connector, so that it can be charged every few days. You can also remove the tag from the jacket and wash it like any other jacket. The snap button has a haptic motor for vibration feedback and has a LED light that glows to notify or alert the users when cycling.
The smartphone connects to the jacket via dedicated Jacquard tag over wireless connectivity (Bluetooth) and lets you connect to services like Google Play, Google Maps, Spotify or Strava.
Google said that it will release a custom API and expand the garments to Athelitcs, Business and Enterprise. Levi's Commuter Trucker Jacket will be available in the Spring of 2017. A limited beta will be made available this fall.
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Google's Project Soli is a radar-based gesture control technology that lets you interact with devices using gestures. It was introduced last year, but the chip was huge to use in smaller devices like smartwatches. Now Google's team working on Project Soli has reduced the size of the chip by three time making it smaller and reducing power consumption as well.
Project Soli also gets improved processing power and now utilizes an optimized Snapdragon 400 SoC and Intel SoC, backed by 1GB RAM, WiFi and Bluetooth.
The main technology involved in Project Soli is the radar. A tiny chip that has sensor to track finger movements such as flick or snap is installed into a device. When you make gestures the device will be able to read it and perform the action.
At Google's I/O 2016, Project Soli was demoed on two devices, LG smartwatch and JBL Harman speaker. Performing various gestures on the smartwatch lets you scroll through messages, see information and more. Similarly, the JBL Harman speaker can also read gesture, letting you turning on the speaker, switching track or adjusting the volume by moving your hands toward the speaker, waving in front of it or use virtual dialing motion.
The Soli beta developer kit will be available in 2017 and includes latest version of Soli hardware which is smaller and consume low power.
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Google's Project Ara modular smartphone have been in development for about three years ago but got delayed. After much delay Google has finally announced that it will release a developer version of Project Ara in Q4 2016, and the consumer edition will be available in 2017.
Project Ara allows you to swap out modular components to change camera, add extra battery, insert speakers or add storage to the device. All this can be done without rebooting the device, because the Ara platform will eventually expand to form factors other than smartphone.
The developer version of Ara, will have all the base components
including display, processor, storage, antennas, sensor and battery
built into it, so you will not be able to swap these components, however there
is room in each of the module so that you can add camera, speaker or
other hardware such as fingerprint reader, Glucometer and more. The developer edition has a 5.3-inch display and has space for six module that you can swap to change the functionality and design of the device.
The modules can be added just by snapping it in place, and to eject the
module, users will have to open a manager app on the device, and choose
which module they want to remove. It will not only be disabled in the
phone's software for safe removal, but automatically pop out as well.
The modules communicate over Greybus system that offers data transfer rates of up to 11.9gbps, which is speed enough for 4K video and other tasks. Google said that the modules released for current devices will work
on future phones, and modules released in the future will work with current Ara
devices, since there will be an unified standard for modules.
Google has partnered with Panasonic, TDK, iHealth, E Ink,
Toshiba, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and Samsung for the modules. Developers can signup for the Google Project Ara Developer Edition on the ATAP website.
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Google has already confirmed that Google Play are coming to Chromebook soon. Now the company has revealed that it will be coming to Chrome in June to three Chromebooks.
The first Chromebooks to support the Play Store will be models with touch screen display including Google Chrome Pixel, Acer Chrome R11 and Asus Chromebook Flip. However later this year, Google will add support for wide range of Chrome OS products including Chromebooks without touch screen, Chromebase AIO PCs, Chromebox desktops and Chromebit PC Stick. Google will also work with several partners to launch new devices designed for Play.
Chrome OS M53 developer channel will be the first build of the OS to support Play Store and will be rolled out in mid-June.
Bringing Google Play to Chromebook means that you can download and
install Android apps and games like Skype, Clash of Clans and more
available in the Play Store on Chromebooks, just like Android
smartphones.
Developers will be able to optimize their apps for the Chromebook form factor so that:
- Android Apps can be shown in 3 different window sizes to allow the best experience
- Users can multi-task with multiple Android apps in moveable windows
along with a full desktop browser, all within the familiar Chrome OS
interface.
- Keyboard, mouse, and touch input will seamlessly work together
- Users will get Android notifications on their Chromebooks
- Android apps benefit from the Wifi or Bluetooth connectivity setup by the user or the administrator
- File sharing is seamless between Chrome and Android apps through the Files app
- Performance of demanding apps such as games or design apps is excellent
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YouTube has announced that it is working on a standalone virtual reality app for Google's virtual reality platform Daydream. Once the app is ready, it will be tweaked to work better inside the VR headset.
The YouTube VR app will come with features such as voice search, discovery, playlists and more. It will also offer an immersive interface for searching and browsing. It will also be capable to play 16 x 9 videos, 360-degree footage and can also enjoy VR experience in full 3D as well.
For providing contents on the VR app, YouTube is collaborating with NBA, BuzzFeed and Tastemed. YouTube is also working with camera partners to make Jump-ready camera such as GoPro Odyssey to help make the production of VR video more accessible.
YouTube is already offering VR contents on its app and website including 360 degree videos, and has also added Google's Cardboard VR headset support for all videos. The standalone app will take YouTube's VR offering to the next level.
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Google at it I/O 2016 conference revealed several new feature to the Android N version, that will be available in the new Developer Preview 3, as well as new features that will be available later. Google said that the Android N Developer Preview 3 is the first beta-quality candidate that can be tested on your primary smartphones.
Starting with performance, Android N Developer Preview 3 brings improved graphics and run-time performance. With the addition of Vulkan API, Google promises for better graphic performance in Android N. Also the JTI compiler in the update is said to work faster to improve software performance.
To make Android more productive, Android N now features a much easier multi-tasking including quick-switching between apps, multi-windows support and better notifications. Quick Switch feature works by double-tapping the recent app buttons, while you can now launch multi-window by long-pressing recent buttons. Google has added a 'Clear all' icon to the task switched button, which will automatically remove the apps from recent apps. There will also be a picture-in-picture mode (PIP) that will be limited to Android TVs only.
As for security, the enhancements include file-based encryption and
seamless updates, which means devices running Android N can install
system updates in the background.
VR will also be a big part of Android N. The main highlight for this is a hardware and software platform called Daydream. Android N will also include a special VR mode as well. Phones that are VR-ready will let VR contents including app and games access the mode directly.
Other Android N Developer Preview 3 features include Launcher Shortcuts, which will be released in summer; Android Pay; all-new Google Keyboard Themes; new power notification control; manual exposure added to camera app and as expected bring new system wallpapers. Google has also removed 'Night Mode' option from System UI Tuner. Also included in the update is actionable notification, which lets users to reply directly from chat notification.
Android N Developer Preview 3 is now available for Nexus
6, Nexus 9, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C and General Mobile
4G on the Android developer website. You can also get it through Android Beta Program. The Android N final build will release in Q3 2016.
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Google at it I/O 2016 event announced Instant Apps platform, that lets you run a particular app without the need of installation.
With Instant Apps, users can open any app by just tapping on a link even if the app is not installed on the device. You can also access apps from search, social media, messaging and other deep links without installing the app first. Although the app isn't installed on your device, Google claims that users will be able to use it just like a native app. You will also be able to pay for a item or service with Instant Apps.
Instant Apps feature is compatible with Android Jelly Bean OS and above, so that majority of Android users can access the feature. Currently, Google has worked with partner developers such as BuzzFeed, B&H Photo, Medium, Hotel Tonight, Zumpe and Disney.
The Android Instant Apps feature will be available to users later this year.
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Google recently rolled out an update to Play Store, that made it easier for users to enroll into beta-testing various apps, which have not reached production stage.
Now at Google I/O in order to help app developer find beta testers for the apps, Google has added a new category called Google Play Early Access n the Play Store. This category will show list of hand-picked open betas that you can opt into. Google also announced that open betas will now appear on Google Play search. These feature will make finding beta apps much easier. You will also be able to send feedback through your Play store listing as well.
Google also announced two new Play apps called Play Console and Playbook. The Play Console app lets you get access to app data such as installs, uninstalls, crashes and ratings. The app also offers push notifications to notify you crucial business update, like when your app update is live on Google Play. The Playbook app on the other hand has curated articles and videos based on your objectives, from Google experts, that will help to develop your first app. Both apps are in beta stage.
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China based Xiaomi has announced Android TV-powered Mi Box at Google's annual developer conference Google I/O. The Mi Box will launch soon in the U.S, with other markets to follow. This is not the first product Xiaomi is bringing to the U.S market, earlier the brand also started selling its accessories in the U.S, but is yet to sell smartphones and tablets.
The Mi Box is a stand-alone set-top box running Android TV 6.0 and supports 4K video playback at 60fps. Inside there is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor backed by Mali 450 and 2GB RAM. It houses 8GB eMMC flash storage and features an HDMI 2.0a port, USB 2.0 portWiFi ac, Bluetooth 4.0,, Dolby Digital Plus & DTS surround and supports Google Case for wireless mirroring from mobile devices. It comes with the latest HDR 10 standard that offers improved brightness, contrast, and colour without any loss to sharpness or clarity
It comes bundled with Bluetooth voice remote that allows users to search for content, switch channel, launch apps and more using voice commands. Xiaomi is also offering Mi Game Controller to play games on the Mi Box.
Since the platform is based on Android, Mi Box users can access Google Play and its vast ecosystem of contents, apps and games. YouTube, Netflix, Vudu and FandangoNow will also be offering contents to the Mi Box.
The launch of Mi Box in the U.S will be quite significant for Xiaomi, as it would be hoping to make it presence felt in the U.S and use it to make a bigger name for itself in the western market. The pricing will be announced close to launch.
Earlier several reports indicated that Google plans to merge its Chrome OS with Android, and recently in the developer version of ChromeOS there was an option to run Android apps on it. Now Google has confirmed that it bring Android apps and Google Play Store to Chrome OS. The announcement was not official, but was spotted in session description on the I/O event website that confirms Android apps are coming to Chrome OS. The description reads,
"Today we announced that we’re adding the best mobile app experiences in the world, Android apps and the Google Play store, to the best browser in the world, Chrome! Come to this session and test your Android apps for Chrome OS. You will get hands on help from our friendly engineers on how to optimize your Android app for Chromebooks. Oh, and we will also be giving the first 50 developers to show up a free Chromebook so they can get a head start bringing their apps to Chrome!"
The description suggests that developers will have to tweak their Android apps, in order to make them run on Chromebooks. With the new feature, Chromebooks will soon be able to get access to Play Store and download Android apps. Note that Android apps for desktops can be accessed via Play Store and developers won;t have to add them to Chrome Web Store. Currently a couple of Android apps like Duolingo, Evernote, Sight words and Vine are able to run on Chromebooks thanks to App Runtime for Chrome (ARC).
Google is expected to make the official announcement at today’s “Bring your Android app to Chrome OS” session of the I/O developer conference.
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Google at its annual developer conference (Google I/O 2016) introduced a new VR platform called ‘Daydream’, built for smartphones, headset & controllers, and apps. It is combination of both hardware and software, and a giant leap from Google's affordable VR headset Cardboard.
Unlike Google Cardboard, which worked with any device, Daydream will work only with phones which have pre-requisite components built-in. The Daydream platform is built on top of Android N.
As for the headset, Google Daydream features a new VR headset with a strap, along with a controller with two buttons and a touchpad. The controller offers several functions including wand, a pointer, a fishing rod depending on VR experience. Google
will initially manufacture the headset and controller itself, but
provide reference design so that third-party manufacturers can build
their own device.
In addition, Google is also adding Android VR mode to compatible smartphones. When you use the smartphone with Daydream headset, you will be able to navigate Daydream homescreen and utilise VR versions of Android apps such as YouTube, Street View, Google Photos and Play Movies. You can also access the Play Store to download VR contents and apps.
Google has teamed up with content partners such as Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and game developers like Ubisoft and EA to offer contents. Samsung, HTC, LG, Huawei, Alcatel, ZTE, Xiaomi and ASUS, all have signed with Google to manufacture Daydream ready phones. Google said that there will be several other smartphones ready this fall when Daydream becomes available.
In addition to Allo, Google also introduced a new video calling app called Duo. The app aims to provide mobile-only one-to-one video calling in a simple yet faster way. Google claims that Duo should work fone on even slower internet connection.
Similar to Allo, to get you started with Duo, you'll have to log-in with you phone number, so that you can make video calls with anyone in your contact list. Duo comes with a feature called Knock Knock, which offers a personalized preview of the caller before you answer the call.
The app supports calls in HD video and audio, and is optimized to adjust the quality of video call for slow networks. It can work and switch seamlessly between WiFi and cellular networks. It also offers end-to-end encrypted video calls.
Duo will be available for Android and iOS later this summer.
Google at I/O 2016 developer conference announced a new messaging app called Allo, with Google Assistant built-in. Google says Allo is a "smart messaging app that makes your conversations easier and more expressive."
To get started, you will have log-in to the app with your phone number, so you can get in touch with anyone in your phonebook. It comes with several emojis, stickers, video calling, sent/received icons and option to doodle on photos before sharing them.
Allo comes with Google Assistant so you can interact with the app directly or have one-on-one conversation with friends. The assistant in Allo lets you bring things like Search, Maps, YouTube and Translate to your conversations, so that you and your friends can use Google together.
The app also offer smart-replies within the app, when having conversation with friends. For example if a message says, "Can we grab lunch tomorrow?" Allo will offer template answers such as "Sure!" or "Sorry, I can't!" so that you can finish your messages quickly.
Smart Reply also works with photos, providing intelligent suggestions related to the content of the photo. For example, a graduation photo generates auto responses like 'You look great!' and 'Congratulations!'.
Google has added a feature called 'Whisper Shout', that allows you to enlarge or shrink the text simply by swiping the finger up or down across the send button before sending the message. The app also lets you have 'Incognito mode' conversation, to provide end-to-end encryption, discreet notifications and message expiration.
Allo will be available for both Android and iOS this summer. Pre-registration for the app is now live on official Google Play page.
As expected, Google at its I/O developer conference has announced it own voice activated home assistant device called Google Home, to take on Amazon's Alexa. The small cylindrical shaped device is a speaker which is integrated with Google's new Assistant and supports Google Cast and select home automation devices.
Google Home features an always-listening microphones that can detect sound and you can communicate with the device via voice commands. With simple voice commands you can ask Google Home to play song, manage everyday task, check flight status, send texts, weather forecast, answer questions or turn off the lights of the room. The device recognizes 'Ok Google' voice command to initiate a search and offer the desired results.
Google Home is compatible with Google Play Music, and should also be compatible with other music services like Spotify. The device can also communicate with Google's Chromecast that's plugged to the TV, so you can command it to play YouTube videos or show search results on TV.
At the time of release, Google Home will work with a few home automation devices including thermostats and lighting including Nest. The device also comes with a range of modular cover so you can customize it and features LED light to let you know it is listening.
Google Home will launch later this year.
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Google kicked-off its I/O 2016 with the announcement of its personal digital assistant called Google Assistant. The new assistant brings contextual skills to Google Now, and can now answer the questions in a conversational manner, enabling two way dialogue.
You can find information, play media or carry out tasks, such as booking cinema tickets using dialogues on both sides. For example, when you ask about a certain location, and Google has provided the details about it, you can have follow-up converastion regarding the topic.
Google Assistant will be integrated into Google Home, the company's smart speaker and Allo messenger. Google will also allow third-party developers to join and add their own services to Google Assistant when it launches. It will be available across devices.
