Google announced on Monday that Android Things is finally ready for production, and to back that up they’re sending all Google I/O attendees home with a nifty dev kit to get started. Google also sent the press home with the same kit for us to check out and tinker with, and tinker we did. We put it together, booted it up, and took some shots so you can see everything in the box…
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Comment: Reinvigorated with a slew of updates at I/O, Google Assistant is more natural & useful
Google I/O is a developer event and that focus was in full force earlier this month. Of course, for the consumer, it can be a bit hard to be interested by the laying of groundwork for future functionality.
However, compared to previous years, I/O 2017 was wildly exciting for the slew of updates that Google quickly rolled out to one of its existing products. A year after its introduction, the Assistant received new features that notably make it more useful and reaffirm how important it is to Google’s future.
Did you find Google I/O 2017 to be boring? [Poll]
Over the last couple of years, Google I/O has become less of a spectacle where people are literally skydiving onto the top of the Moscone Center and more of a place for Google to talk directly to developers. Because of this, people have started calling Google dull. Do you think that this year’s Google I/O developer conference was boring?
Google posts I/O 2017’s highlight video
Google I/O 2017 might have ended last week but if you missed any of it, don’t worry as Google has now posted its yearly highlight video to showcase the best things to happen at this year’s developer conference…
Do you prefer using keyboard or voice input with Google Assistant? [Poll]
This past week at I/O 2017, Google finally introduced a long-awaited and requested feature for Google Assistant: keyboard input. Although it is already quick and easy to trigger Assistant with your voice and ask a question, you couldn’t use it when in a quiet environment. Now that keyboard should be rolling out to all, which form of input do you prefer using?
Google’s Dave Burke was asked about Fuchsia at I/O 2017 fireside chat, says it’s independent from Android
Google I/O 2017 has now wrapped up, but before it did, someone made sure to ask the Android development team about Google’s Fuchsia OS. The question was passed over to Dave Burke, Android’s VP of Engineering, who stated that Fuchsia was being developed independently from Android…
Google working on a Chromebook emulator for devs to test Android apps on large screens
Android apps for Chrome OS are still slowly rolling out, but Google very much wants developers to optimize their applications for Chromebooks and larger screened devices. At I/O 2017, they revealed an emulator that will allow local development without the need for an actual Chrome OS device.
Android Go has a new Recents view as System UI aims to reduce latency, memory usage
In addition to clarifying the differences from previous initiatives like One, last night’s I/O 2017 session on Android Go went into depth about the optimizations made to the OS for entry-level devices.
Missed the Google I/O keynote and breakout sessions? Here’s how you can catch up
Today is day three of I/O 2017, and that means that we are nearing the end of this year’s Google developer conference. So far we have seen the company announce new features coming to Android, VR, a bunch of new tools for developers to help them make great apps, and much more.
However, if you missed any of the keynotes or sessions, don’t worry at all because Google recorded every single one of them so that you can go back and watch them when you’re ready…
Googler details how Android Go differs from Android One, oddly mentions One’s US launch (which hasn’t happened) [Video]
Android Go, announced yesterday during the I/O 17 keynote, is Google’s new initiative to bring a speedy and optimized version of Android to sub-$100 devices. But since the long-available Android One platform aims to accomplish similar — albeit not identical — goals, we thought we’d ask Google exactly where Go sits in the new lineup. Not only did Google clarify the difference between them, it also (perhaps mistakingly) touched on the long-rumored launch of Android One for the US…
Android devs can now block app installations on devices that don’t pass SafetyNet
Last weekend, Netflix was in the news because the company made it so that rooted devices and those with unlocked bootloaders could no longer download the application. Netflix quickly confirmed that it would start blocking the installation of the app from the Play Store for devices that didn’t pass Google’s Safety Net. Now, Google has updated the Google Play Console to make it easier for all developers to do the same thing…
Google Play Award winners announced, highlighting best app and games for 2017
During an award ceremony at I/O, Google has announced the 2017 winners of the annual Play Awards. Highlights include Woorld for best AR Experience and Mushroom 11 for Standout Indie.
Do you prefer Android O’s new emoji over the blobs, or is there work to still be done? [Poll]
For years now, Google’s emoji have stood out from the crowd because they didn’t share the typical round design seen on other smartphones. Many called these emoji “blobs” because of their shape and it was pretty hit or miss as far as if someone liked them. Now that they have been updated in Android O, do you miss them or are the new emoji better?
Google I/O 2017 halts temporarily due to fire, press being evacuated [Update]
Update 6:13pm PT: The Google Developers Twitter account has posted thanking the Mountain View Fire Department for putting out the fire and that no attendees were hurt. Unfortunately, three event staff members were injured and are receiving treatment.
Update 4:40pm PT: The fire appears to have been extinguished. Emergency vehicles are now departing the Shoreline Amphitheatre and attendees are now being allowed back in.
A fire has broken out inside one of the food establishments within Google’s developer conference. As of now, we do not know if anyone was harmed by the fire or how the fire was started but the press lounge was evacuated for everyone’s safety…
Google’s standalone VR headset is powered by Android O and runs Daydream 2.0
Google shared more details about its standalone VR headsets at a virtual and augmented reality-focused keynote on the second-day of I/O.
Upcoming Daydream 2.0 update will add Chrome, improved UI, & Google Cast support
During a keynote focused on VR and AR at day 2 of I/O 2017, Google announced Daydream 2.0, a major update slated for later this year. Codenamed Euphrates, there is a focus on easier sharing, improved interface, and Chrome.
Hands-on: Android in the Car one-ups Android Auto with native controls through Assistant and more [Video]
In-car infotainment systems have long been pretty bad. As touchscreens entered the game, things only got worse, especially in the way of applications. Google and Apple both have ways to fix that, but they don’t provide functionality that the car’s system has, such as climate controls.
With the option to build Android into manufacturers own systems, Google is making it easier for car makers to integrate options like Google Assistant and Android apps into vehicles, and at I/O 2017, we’ve gone hands on.
Actions on Google and keyboard support in Google Assistant beginning to rollout [Gallery]
Android O focuses on ‘vitals’ for improved security, performance, and battery life
As with every new version of Android, we are getting a bunch of new features such as picture-in-picture mode, notification dots, and much more. But what is shaping up to be one of the best new additions with the forthcoming Android O is the company’s focus on the “vitals”…
Unreleased redesigned Google Pixel Launcher shows up at I/O sandbox [Video]
Sometimes Google can be a bit of a leaky ship, and its latest accidental leak relates to the Pixel Launcher. We spotted a phone being demoed at a Google I/O Sandbox with an as-yet unreleased version of the Pixel Launcher installed, and it packs some interesting new features…
What was your favorite announcement from the first day of Google I/O 2017? [Poll]
Today has been a busy day in the world of Google as the company kicked off its annual developer conference with a keynote address. During this presentation, Google unveiled new features coming to Android, Google Assistant, and all sorts of improvements for some of its other apps and services. What was your favorite announcement from day one of Google I/O 2017?
How to use picture-in-picture with YouTube on Android O Dev Preview 2
Google I/O 2017 roundup: Here’s everything Google announced this year [Updating]
Google I/O 2017 has been surprisingly chock-full of announcements this year, to say the least. The overarching theme is definitely artificial intelligence and how that tech is manifesting itself in Google Assistant. But there have been plenty of announcements surrounding all of Google’s several ecosystems — from Android, to Daydream, to services like Google Photos and Gmail.
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Expeditions AR brings volcanoes and DNA molecules to the classroom
Google’s popular education-focused Expeditions program has allowed over two million students to immerse themselves in new environments and get a close look at monuments and other items of interest using the Cardboard VR headsets. Now the program is moving from virtual to augmented reality.