(Photo: Reuters | Mobile & Apps) As expected, Google
demonstrated loads of new software and hardware updates at this
year's Google I/O.
Being at Google I/O is like
being trapped inside a tornado. It leaves you dazed and your head
spinning for weeks while you try to make sense of the massive data
download. This year's event was no exception. It was filled with
presentations of new technologies and some eye-opening stunts -
including the world's first
skydiving streamed live via Google+ Hangouts. After all, what
better way would there be to show off the futuristic Project Glass?
Regarding Android, I noticed that this year's event was subtly
different from previous ones regarding Android. For instance, it
had less focus on the core platform technologies but more on user
experience and how to create high quality applications. It was
evident that Google has been concerned about maintaining the
quality of the ecosystem. As a result, many of this year's
sessions were focused on ensuring that developers know how
to utilize the right APIs and that they respect system rules and
are focused on delivering high quality code.
Another key feature was the enabling of cloud-connected
applications to run offline - be it Google
Maps on Android or
Google Docs on Chromebook for those long international
flights (I would like that). This move will certainly help Google
push more aggressively into the emerging markets with, for now,
less sophisticated infrastructure that doesn't need to be connected
to the web to run all the time.
The modern home was another core focus this year. New
announcements around Nexus Q and Google TV revalidated Google's
desire to step up the game in the consumer electronics market. And
when it comes to media content for consumption, Google Play was brought to
the front and the center. A demonstration by Chris Yerga, Google
Play's Engineering Director, portrayed the recently redesign Google
Play as the ultimate cross-platform source for entertainment
content - all your books, subscription magazines, movies, music,
etc, all of that can be synchronized and delivered across
devices.
How to enrich social interactions was also a key theme. Google is merging several
popular features such as Google Voice, Photos and Videos with
Google+ to provide an integrated social networking
platform. Via Google+ users can easily share updates, conversations
and group experiences in real-time. Since launching it last June,
Google+ has evolved into a social media magnet. Brands big and
small are embracing it, including Symphony Teleca - add us to your
Google+ circle!
On the enterprise side, "infinite scalability" and "collaboration"
were the buzzwords. With the enhancements of C2DM (now called Google Cloud
Messaging), Hardware-as-a-Service, Google Drive and the
ability to sync content across devices and do collaborative
development on that content, you bet that Google is delivering on
its vision of scalability and ubiquity for developers and
enterprise customers.
Of course the fun did not stop with the release of the new Android
4.1. The real excitement came as some amazing Google devices were
introduced…
Next. Google I/O Download (Part II) Google Glass, Nexus 7, Nexus
Q and how the new Nexus 7 compares to rivals like Apple TV.
About the Author
Andrew Till is the SVP and Head of Mobile and Media
Devices within the Mobile & Connected Devices Division at
Symphony Teleca. He's a frequent speaker on mobile device, the
mobile industry and technology. Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn
or leave a comment below.
