Google’s I/O developer conference is the biggest event on the company’s calendar, with the tech giant using the event to demonstrate some of its most impressive new software.
On Tuesday, its announcements included a new, cheaper, Pixel smartphone, 3D navigation in Google Maps, and a camera upgrade that can read restaurant menus on your behalf.
New Pixel phones
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Google’s Pixel phones have been critically acclaimed, but have sold in relatively small numbers, perhaps because of a premium price point that puts it in direct competition with the iPhone and Samsung’s top-tier devices.” data-reactid=”31″>Google’s Pixel phones have been critically acclaimed, but have sold in relatively small numbers, perhaps because of a premium price point that puts it in direct competition with the iPhone and Samsung’s top-tier devices.
The Pixel 3a (and its larger sibling, the 3a XL) seek to solve that. At £399, or £469 for the bigger-screened XL, the 3a is just over half the price of the Pixel 3. Although it lacks some high-end features such as waterproofing and has slightly cheaper components, many of the selling points of the more expensive Pixel, such as the excellent Night Sight mode that brightens dark photos, are still there.
Google Maps in 3D
Millions of us have come to rely on Google Maps, but its 2D interface – a blue dot on a map – means we can still occasionally turn the wrong way out of a building or walk past a street. At I/O Google showed off a 3D, augmented reality, version of Maps in which you hold your camera up, and directions appear in front of you. The technology relies on street view as well as sensors inside your phone to know what direction you are pointing it.
Google first previewed the feature a few months ago, but it was added to Pixel phones on Tuesday, with a wider launch likely in the coming months. Just don’t try it when you’re driving.
A new direction for Google Duplex
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="A year ago, Google raised a lot of eyebrows in announcing Duplex, a synthetic voice that can ring up restaurants and hair salons to make appointments on your behalf. It raised questions about disclosure, with several critics saying they would feel uncomfortable talking to a robot.” data-reactid=”38″>A year ago, Google raised a lot of eyebrows in announcing Duplex, a synthetic voice that can ring up restaurants and hair salons to make appointments on your behalf. It raised questions about disclosure, with several critics saying they would feel uncomfortable talking to a robot.
This year, Google has taken Duplex in a different direction: it is able to navigate the web on your behalf, filling in the gaps to speed up tasks. For example, when booking a holiday car rental, Google Calendar might know the dates you are travelling and what kind of car you like, as well as your credit card details. Using this, it can automate a lot of the online forms we spend our time filling out. Think of it as an advanced version of Autofill.
“Duplex on the web”, as Google calls it, will be out in the US and UK on Android phones later this year, and tasks will begin with car hire and cinema tickets.
An upgraded Google Assistant
Running on-device and coming to new Pixel phones later this year, the next generation Google Assistant can understand and process your requests up to 10 times faster, making operating your phone, multi-tasking and even composing email easier than ever. #io19pic.twitter.com/iNPpOvwDM2
— Google (@Google) May 7, 2019
Google’s Assistant software was at the centre of I/O, putting into action the company’s efforts to be at the forefront of voice computing. It said it would debut a revamped version of the Google Assistant on new Pixel phones to be released later this year.
Central to the redesign is a reduced focus on “Hey Google”, the awkward wake word that users are required to say to summon the Assistant. A feature called “continued conversation” means you’ll be able to make several requests in a row without having to repeat “Hey Google” ad nauseum, while a tweak to its alarm function means you will only have to say “stop” to shut it off.
Just as significant: Google has compressed the software from hundreds of gigabytes to half a gigabyte. That means it can sit on your phone and work without an internet connection, making it significantly faster.
A camera in every home
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The second hardware announcement Google made on Tuesday was a bigger version of its Home Hub, the screen-enabled smart speaker it launched last year. But unlike the Home Hub, the new bigger version contains a camera similar to the home security cameras from Google-owned Nest.” data-reactid=”62″>The second hardware announcement Google made on Tuesday was a bigger version of its Home Hub, the screen-enabled smart speaker it launched last year. But unlike the Home Hub, the new bigger version contains a camera similar to the home security cameras from Google-owned Nest.
The camera means users can make video calls, and use facial recognition to respond to who is looking at it. Walk in front of the Hub, and it will show you what’s on your calendar. Raise your hand and it will stop playing music. When you’re not home, it can double as a security camera.
Meanwhile, Google has renamed its line of household gadgets under the Nest brand, so this latest device is called the Nest Hub Max. An admission that users are uncomfortable with Google’s cameras peering into their kitchens, perhaps.
Project Euphonia
It’s an unfortunate fact that technology can leave behind the people who could most benefit from it. Project Euphonia, an attempt to make Google’s voice assistant understand people with speech impairments, is an attempt to change that.
Although speech by sufferers of Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis sounds different to people without those diseases, computers are still able to pick up the differences between the different words being said. That means that over time and with enough data, AI could theoretically understand people with speech impairments just as well.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Google is looking for volunteers to improve its programme.” data-reactid=”68″>Google is looking for volunteers to improve its programme.
Live Relay
Another accessibility feature, Live Relay aims to let deaf people make phone calls in instances where there are few other options, such as having to contact a company that doesn’t have a website or demands that you ring them up.
The software transcribes phone calls in real time and lets users reply via “smart reply” suggestions or typing, which is instantly spoken back. Google said it is ensuring privacy by making sure all the voice recognition happens on the device, not over the internet.
Live Relay is currently a research project, and Google hasn’t said when it will be available.
A new version of Android
Google previewed the latest version of Android, currently known as Q but as traditional, bound to be renamed after some sweet treat (Quality Street perhaps?).
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The most eye-catching features are Focus Mode, which let you shut off apps you find distracting such as email, and improved family controls so that parents can limit the time their children spend on individual apps. The software also comes with support for foldable phones, of which there are set to be several this year (despite Samsung’s mishaps).” data-reactid=”76″>The most eye-catching features are Focus Mode, which let you shut off apps you find distracting such as email, and improved family controls so that parents can limit the time their children spend on individual apps. The software also comes with support for foldable phones, of which there are set to be several this year (despite Samsung’s mishaps).
A test version of the software has been released, although its full release is likely to be in the autumn.
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