Last week, Google kicked off its biggest event of the year, the Google I/O in San Francisco. At the event, Google, through its Senior Vice President of products, SundayPichai, revealed the search titan’s road map for at least the next year. Some of the products include;
Android M and Google Photos
Adroid M is the new generation version of Android which is aimed at making the mobile operating system easier to use while Google photos is an app for Android and iOS users to automatically sort images with unlimited photo storage. Android M has loads of new features such as power saving, Quick settings customization, App permission etc. Watch out for our review.
Virtual Reality
This is an update to Google Cardboard, allowing it to work with more phones. Also, there is the Google jump which makes it easy for people to take virtual reality video and share it on YouTube.
Project Jacquard
Beyond smart watches and glasses, Google is looking at producing smart clothes. Google has come up with a way to manufacture conductive and inexpensive fabric that can be designed with the flexibility required by any self-respecting fashion designer. More than that, they have developed wireless technology that can seamlessly integrate with fabric to allow it communicate with devices, such as smartphones, tablets and smart watches. Some of these fabrics actually exist but are not attractive enough for developers to take advantage of it. These are some of the challenges which Google intends to tackle with Jacquard. They are also working on making it compatible with a wider range of fabrics such as silk, cotton, polyester.
By the end of it all, you have a piece of clothing that can act as your second touch pad, and an open platform that allows you to translate touch on your from your outfits into actions on a smart device.
Project Vault
This is a unique new security device called Vault. At first glance, the Vault would appear to be nothing more than a typical SD card but beyond that is a microprocessor running ARTOS, NFC for communication, and 4GB storage. As ATAP’s Regina Dugan puts it, “Project Vault is your digital mobile safe. Big security, small package”. Due to the microSD form factor, the Vault works in just about any device with a microSD slot. It allows secure storagewith no special drivers needed for the device it is plugged into.
The security mechanism is a bit complicated but, Vault is a smart platform that uses various techniques to ensure the person accessing your important data and information is actually you.
Project Ara
This is the world’s first modular smartphone which has been shown off before but, the big difference here is this…… It is the first time it has been shown off fully working. Googe engineer Rafa Camargo not only built the phone on stage by adding modules into the frame, he also turned it on, let it boot, and took a picture of everyone in the audience at the day 3 of the Google I/O conference.
Ara is a smartphone built by you, for you. It’s like Motorola’s Moto X buta whole lot better. You don’t only get to customize the finish, but also the processor, camera, RAM, battery, and many other components.
Here is a video of the Project Ara Demo:
Also announced was Project Soli which aims to revolutionize how we interact with wearable devices by simply using hand gestures.
Project Soli Demo
