Google I/O 2018, one of the biggest technology event focused on developers has kicked off and is being conducted at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. Fueling to the expectations, Google launched Android P beta version and all new Google News and also announced the integration of artificial intelligence tools in existing services such as Google Assistant.
Here we bring in the top announcements made by Google on the first day of I/O 2018 developer conference.
Gmail Gets Smarter
Google has launched a maiden UI for Gmail which will now have a slew of AI-based features. There is a new feature called “Smart Compose” which will help to autocomplete emails before a user types and is an extension of “Smart Reply” that helps to bring auto responses.
Learn how we’re supporting #DigitalWellbeing so everyone can enjoy technology that improves life and doesn’t distract from it → https://t.co/IsaUmj4vl9 #io18 pic.twitter.com/v8APGLWHCU
— Google (@Google) May 8, 2018
Digital Wellbeing
With an aim to manage digital addiction of users, Google has come out with a new initiative that will help to control time spent on smartphones and digital devices. Users can now set a limit on time spent on a particular application.
Moreover, there is a “Shush” feature that will completely block notifications on the flip of your device. All these new features will be integrated into Google’s new Android P operating system.
Android P to Hit Smartphones
Google has also announced the official availability of its latest beta of Android P for Pixel and selected Google phones. Other smartphones which will receive the update include Sony Xperia XZ2, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S, Nokia 7 Plus, Oppo R15 Pro, Vivo X21, OnePlus 6, and Essential PH. The new operating system update will comprise of a wide plethora of features such as swipe gestures, adaptive brightness, app actions and adaptive battery controls among others.
Today we’re rolling out an all-new @GoogleNews—using the best of AI to organize what’s happening in the world to help you learn more about the stories that matter to you → https://t.co/z8234zDXU1 #io18 pic.twitter.com/6QkX6x6OiD
— Google (@Google) May 8, 2018
Google News Gets Revamped
The technology giant has come up with an all revamped Google News feature that will work on Machine Learning and AI serving relevant and credible news to users. Google news will now “understands the people, places, and things involved in a story as it evolves, and connects how they relate to one another, according to the company website.
Introducing color pop! You may soon see this new type of creation in your @googlephotos Assistant tab, which automatically keeps the subject of your photo in color, and changes the background to black and white → https://t.co/4Y1ryyFlIE #io18 pic.twitter.com/niC8CqBxDj
— Google (@Google) May 8, 2018
Google Photos
While Google’s cloud-based photo service is already laden with a bundle of smart features, the I/O 2018 announced new AI tools for the service that will bring in enhanced image recognition.
Google photos will now provide suggestions to help improve image quality and will also ask to change settings such as brightness for a better experience under low light conditions. Interestingly, users will also be able to colour their old black and white photos. Moreover, the app will now automatically recognize documents and images allowing hassle-free conversion into PDFs.