The Six Best Announcements From Google I/O 2018

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty

Google’s 2018 I/O keynote is in the books, led by CEO Sundar Pichai, the tech giant rolled out one big announcement after another. AI was the central theme of the annual event,  Android users can look forward to a new flashy update, Google Assistant gets a great voice and smart ability, Google Photos makes editing and sorting easier Maps is getting better, and Gmail is introducing a new feature that will make sending an email even easier. 

Google Maps

Google Maps is already one of the tech companies most significant achievements over the years. Yesterday’s announcements of a new augmented reality Street View mode on top of personal recommendations to help you discover new spots in your neighborhood aim to make the app even better.

If you’re an avid Google Maps user, as accurate as the app is, it can be a challenge sometimes to follow the directions. The new AR feature aims to eliminate that problem by utilizing your smartphone’s camera to overlay directions into the real world to help you figure out which way to go. What makes this new update impressive is that Google promised this feature with their wearable tech Google Glass, but it will now live on phones without having to wear a headset.

Maps will also be getting a new tab called “For You” that will be the home for recommendations the app the tailored just for you. A new system called “match number” will generate a score that is based on how much it thinks you will like the recommended choice based on past decisions and likes. The app will also save your food preferences giving it the ability to narrow down your selections.

Looks like date night finna be a breeze thanks to the new updates slated for a summer release.

Photos: Justin Sullivan / Getty

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Google Assistant/Google Duplex

Google Assistant’s latest upgrade might be one of the best features the tech giant showed off yesterday. Promised to arrive in the no distant future, Google Assistant will have the ability to make phone calls on your behalf if you don’t feel like dealing with people. Pichai played a demo showing off the new technology where Google Assistant booked a hair appointment at a salon. Sundar reiterated to the crowd that the phone call was not staged and that the Salon worker had no idea she was talking to a digital AI helper.

Observe the greatness below as Google Assistant books a restaurant reservation:

Amazing.

All of this is made possible by Google Duplex, a new technology Pichai revealed his company has been “working on for many years.” He also revealed the technology can make adjustments even if the conversation “doesn’t go as expected.” Due to tot he technology’s use of such a real human voice, the company has already vowed it will be transparent when it comes to using of Google Duplex.

Also announced, users will now have the option to select up to six different natural voices including the default one. One of the six coming later this year one John Legend will lend his to Google Assistant.

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty

Making prank calls could be very interesting using John Legend’s voice could be very interesting. Just kidding.

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Android P

Google took the lid off what folks are calling their most ambitious operating system to date, Android P. They are ditching three-button navigation, introducing a new refreshed look and will allow users to switch between apps using iPhone X-like gestures.

Apple enthusiasts will probably snicker at that, but it’s literally one of the few times Google has borrowed from the company Jobs built.

The highlight of Android P is the new digital wellbeing dashboard which is there to help limit your smartphone use. What? Google wants you to use your smartphone less? Yup, indeed they do. The panel will basically break down to users how they are spending their time while using their phone with a different data. It will tell you things like how many times you unlocked your phone, and how many notifications you have received. If you feel you are spending entirely too much time on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or mobile game, you can now set time limits for those apps to help limit your use so you can get some downtime.

That actually sounds pretty helpful, plus it could also serve as a useful tool for parents in helping them manage their child’s time on their smartphones. Android P officially rolls out later this Summer, a beta for the OS is available now for smartphones from Google, Essential, Sony, Nokia, and more.

https://twitter.com/stroughtonsmith/status/993967795342802946

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Gmail

Google’s most prized service Gmail has gone through a much-needed redesign and seen various tweaks added over the years. One of those tweaks, Smart Reply, is being expanded to Smart Compose which aims “to help you draft emails from scratch, faster.” Now if the idea of Gmail actually crafting your business emails for you causes some concern don’t worry you will still have control.

Smart Compose will only offer you suggestions for complete sentences as you write. Pretty exciting and we are looking forward to giving it a try when it rolls out for Gmail users in the next few weeks. G Suite users, unfortunately, have to wait a few months.

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Google Photos

Last but not least Google Photos will also receive some significant updates. The photo storage app will now have the ability to separate subjects from the background in the photos, add some pop to the color in the picture or completely turn the background black and white. What if you have a photo that is entirely black and white and you want to add some color? Well with the new update you will be able to add some color with just a touch.

Thanks to AI, all of these things are now possible. Google Photos will also now recommend quick fixes to photos you have like adjusting the brightness as you swipe through your collection. These new features should sit very well with smartphone photogs as well as professionals.