The main event of the year for Google was I / O 2014, a conference for developers, which showed a lot of interesting things. Some things were expected, some, in general, on the contrary. The company has demonstrated a bright and rich new design style for all its products, as well as a new version of Android, code-named L, which, however, will not be released before the end of this year. Google also introduced an inexpensive but elegant Android One phone worth less than $ 100. In general, we can say that the conference was dedicated to Android. Now this “axis” is everywhere: in the clock, in the car and in your heart with Android Fit.
Carefully planned ads slightly violated two protesters: one called Google accountable for evictions from homes in San Francisco, the other accused of creating killer robots. Both were quickly escorted from the scene. In general, the conference will be held all week, but there will hardly be news larger than those that were announced.
Cheap smartphones for developing countries
The head of Android, Sundar Pichai, began his presentation with quite interesting statistics: 1 billion active users, 20 billion messages and 93 million "selfies" every day. But this covers only part of the world, so Google is making efforts to equip another, less advanced part of the world with telephones. To some extent, the Android platform is suitable for low-cost smartphones, but the Android One is a new set of hardware requirements created specifically for the emerging market, using stock Android and low-cost parts that are already widely available. During the presentation, we saw examples of such phones, developed in collaboration with Micromax: a 4.5-inch phone with two SIM slots and an FM radio costing less than $ 100. The program starts in India this fall, and after that it will expand to the whole world.
Material Design: a new look at everything from Google
Google's web products and its own mobile Android operating system haven't always looked good in terms of visual design, but the company intends to overcome this. At I / O 2014, the company introduced a single design language called Material Design (“material, or material, design”), which will share the same style between web apps, the Chrome browser, and all Android devices — including the clock. from google. Material Design is saturated with color, minimalistic and airy, there are many open spaces, in general, where to breathe air while reading the text. But it is not completely flat: the boxes with information run into each other and disappear if necessary. When switching between tasks, an excellent, almost cinematic animation appears. The design is completely inspired by Google Now, Google's personal assistant for Android phones. Google has even created a completely new website, which will accommodate all the elements and material design guidelines for developers.
Android L, new iteration of mobile OS for phone, auto, tablet and TV
Yesterday, Google introduced a new version of Android, which will appear in the fall under the code name Android L. L - this is a fresh look at how the operating system should work, regardless of which device you are using. L works in cars, televisions, and mobile phones, and incorporates all of Google’s principles in Material Design. The lock screen, for example, has received a redesign - now notifications will pop up on top of your wallpaper, with which you can interact with simple gestures. Each button responds when you tap on it, and each card or button flies off the screen when you tap it. There are several other less important changes. With L, you do not need to enter a password every time to unlock your phone if you wear a watch paired with it, or you are in your car. "Personal Unlock" is looking for familiar things to associate your phone with them. Another important thing: when you search for something in Google search, results pop up right in the installed application.
Unified multitasking for your Chrome apps and tabs
It's time to mix tabs. Android L includes a feature called “recent” that combines windows from Chrome, as well as recently used apps in a single carousel that looks like a bunch of small cards. This system will replace the current application switching interface, and although no one knows how useful it will be, it will probably be easier to multitask. In the end, Google is extremely eager to facilitate access to Internet content and phone applications, bring them one step down.
Search
Google Mobile Search for the mobile web got makeup with Material Design, the company's new unique style. Now, when a user searches for something visual - a movie, a historical figure or an object of art - a Google search returns the first result as a separate carousel at the top of a phone or tablet with a colorful background that automatically matches the color of the image in front of you. The results carousel is animated even in web format, so you can easily scroll through the search results from left to right. Google also says that it will improve the search inside apps, so if you type “restaurant reservations” into the search, the OpenTable application will automatically open, for example.
Precious battery life
Battery life is the most common complaint in the Android world, which is why self-respecting handset makers like HTC have developed their own battery saver applications. This is now the official component of Android L. Project Volta is the common name for Google for optimizing battery life, and there is also a power saving mode, which, it seems, will allow you to squeeze a bit of life out of the phone - about 90 minutes.
"Remote Delete"
Android L includes a new feature that allows users to remotely reset all device data, even if it was stolen and the factory settings were restored. This feature, already implemented in iOS, has contributed to the reduction of thefts with the launch of iOS 7.
Android Wear: design and graphic interface
For the first time, Google introduced its in-depth look at how Android Wear devices will work. In short, Android Wear focuses on visual information and Google Now, which will always help you at any time. For example, swipe up and down will allow you to manage your Google Now cards: the latest messages, reminders, notes, music management, alarm clocks, heart monitor and pedometer. Tapnuv once on the sleeping device with Android Wear, you activate voice control and can ask, for example, to call a taxi. You can in the same way, using the clock, cancel the incoming call, for example.
Google's first smartwatch is here.
The last few months, Google and its partners have been demonstrating models of smart watches that can work with Android Wear. Today you can order two of them. LG G is a big but modest black square, the style that we saw in different versions from Samsung, Pebble and others. Moto 360 is a large round piece of glass and steel that looks like an ordinary watch. Moto 360 can not be ordered until the autumn, but LG is already available to order. You can also order Samsung Gear Live, which, like, also work on the version of Android Wear in the form of Tizen.
Android Auto will appear this year
Phones, tablets, smart watches and televisions are all quite common for the computing platform. But Android L, however, will come in your car. Google officially announced Android Auto, which adopts familiar features from people who speak on the phone at the wheel, and embed displays in cars. This part of Android L focuses on navigation, communication, and music — along with the Google Now home screen. It is optimized for voice commands that can be used to navigate maps, send text messages, search and play music, and other things.
Google leaves Apple and Microsoft in the tail of their ad. Apple's CarPlay - a simple iOS based on Siri - will come to Honda, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz cars later this year. Microsoft is testing its interface. All three companies hope to replace their default entertainment system inside the car. Android Auto will be released along with Android L by the end of 2014.
Remarkably, Google gained the support of many partners - more than 40, including Dodge, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Audi and even Bentley.
Google is again trying to conquer your living room with Android TV
Google announced Android TV, a new software that will work on your TV or consoles of alternative developers. Android TV is like Google Chromecast paired with Apple TV. You can stream content to a TV, but also see a grid of popular content, apps, and games. Android TV is also closely linked to Google’s voice search and smart search in the style of “who played Katniss in the Hunger Games” or “films nominated for an Oscar in 2002”. You can expect a lot of apps for Android TV. Google apps also work on all kinds of Android platforms, so you can play smartphone games right on your TV screen. Sony and Sharp are making Android TVs and will release them in 2015.
Android apps on Chrome
At the end of this year, some Android applications will run on Chromebooks. If you believe the demo applications Evernote and Vine, they work very smoothly and even allow you to take advantage of local hardware and cameras. Roughly speaking, you can shoot in Vine from your Chromebook. In any case, it is too early to say.
Google breaks the wall between Office and Drive
Finally, you can edit Microsoft Office files directly in Google Drive. It was always possible to switch between the two programs, but the Drive update will remove the high-speed limit on conversion and conversion. It will also be possible to work together on the document.
Google Fit will track your physical activity.
Earlier this month, Apple announced HealthKit, a meta tracker for all iOS fitness apps. Now Google is doing the same with Android with Google Fit. A set of APIs will allow applications and peripherals to send data in a centralized fitness stream, while the user gives to it. Google has invited aboard several major partners, including Nike.
The virtual reality
How would you complete the three-hour conference, during which you discussed operating systems, programming, smart watches, cars and cloud storage? Of course, with virtual reality glasses. Google finished its event by offering visitors a carton that could be combined with an Android phone and create a virtual reality headset. If you buy a pair of lenses and other simple components, you can create all this for yourself. The idea, by the way, is not new - such a virtual reality at home - but well underlines everything that Google does with software.
The article is based on materials .
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