Google I/O 2021, the annual developer conference brought many unveilings and updates of new things that Google has been working on. Here’s a comprehensive round-up of the notable updates and innovations gathered from the conference:
Google Maps Unveils New “Immersive View for Routes” Feature
Google Maps revealed a new feature called “Immersive View for Routes” in select cities to bring all the necessary information to one place for the users, including traffic simulations, bike lanes, complex intersections, parking, and more. The new feature is a great addition to Google‘s mapping experience, enhancing the user’s convenience.
Google‘s New AI-Powered Tools
Google‘s Magic Editor feature, equipped with AI capabilities, is now offering complex photo editing in specific parts of the photos, including foreground or background editing, filling gaps, and better-framing shots. Furthermore, the new feature called Magic Compose can rewrite messages into different styles, including professional or playfully “Shakespearean.”
PaLM 2, Google‘s latest large language model, will support most of the company’s new AI features and power the updated Bard chat tool. Bard is now available in English in over 180 countries and territories, including Japan and Korea. The collaboration between Google and Adobe will provide art generation capabilities via Bard.
Google Workspace Suite Integrates AI for Smarter Functions
The Google Workspace suite incorporates AI features for smarter operations, including an automatic table generation in Sheets, image creation in Slides and Meet. The new features of Meet mean custom backgrounds and personalized AI-powered snapshots of key information for the user while searching.
Google‘s MusicLM
Google MusicLM can transform text into music, creating several versions of the song based on user input, such as “soulful jazz for a dinner party.” This new AI tool demonstrates the innovative integration of AI with music creation.
Google‘s Search Features
Google has improved its Search features with “About this Image” and new labeling for AI-generated images, addressing the issue of AI image misinformation. The new AI-powered conversational mode suggests next steps and information based on the user’s searches while also permitting users to explore subjects more in-depth.
Google‘s Codey
Google‘s latest code completion and code generation tool named Codey handles coding-related prompts and handles queries regarding Google Cloud. This new addition is a part of the number of AI-centric coding tools launched.
Google Cloud’s Latest Addition: A3 Supercomputer Virtual Machine
Google‘s newest supercomputer virtual machine, called A3, contains Nvidia’s H100 GPUs and offers immense computational power at a more reasonable price. It has been purpose-built to handle resource-hungry use cases, including writing and debugging code.
Google‘s Pixel Devices
Pixel 7a, Google‘s latest mobile device, has made its launch, with the device retailing at $100 less than the Pixel 7 ($499). The Pixel 7a has a slightly lower pixel density but enables Face Unblur and Super Res Zoom features.
Pixel Fold, Google‘s first foldable phone, offers app continuity between external and internal screens, permitting the user to start where they left off. Google optimized its most popular third-party apps for the big screen experience, including Gmail and YouTube.
Google‘s Project Tailwind
Google‘s AI-powered notebook tool, Project Tailwind, automatically organizes and summarizes the user’s freeform notes. The private AI model with expertise sifts through notes from selected files on Google Drive, with a personalized interface for convenience.
Google‘s Universal Translator
Google‘s latest translation service, Universal Translator, can synchronize the speaker’s lips and generate speech in any language using AI. It’s an excellent addition to Google‘s innovative use of AI in bridging the language barriers between various cultures.
Generative AI Wallpapers
Google‘s Android has the latest feature, generative AI wallpapers, enabling users to create original wallpapers. The feature answers suggested prompts to describe the user’s vision, and the color palette of the Android system automatically matches the wallpaper.
Wear OS 4
Google debuted its next version of the smartwatch operating system, Wear OS 4, providing improved battery life and functionality, new accessibility features, and tools for developers to build new Wear OS watch faces.
Conclusion
Google I/O 2021 brought many innovations and upgrades to existing features, emphasizing Google‘s commitment to enhancing its user’s experience. These cutting-edge features demonstrate the continued integration of AI into different technological aspects to make it more accessible for users, improving convenience and functionality. While the features may take time to adapt to, it’s evident that Google is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, with a focus on prioritizing the user’s needs and enhancing convenience.
<< photo by Mike Kononov >>
