Android N

Android N is a more improved version of Marshmallow. Starting with performance, Dave Burke said that the first Developer Preview introduced a new JIT compiler to improve software performance while the second N Developer Preview included Vulkan, a new 3D rendering API. The Android N Developer Preview 3 will bring improved graphics and runtime performance.

Quick Reply from the Notification Bar

Burke revealed that Android N now features easier multi-tasking including quick-switching between apps, multi-window support, and better notifications. As predicted, everybody’s favorite Marshmallow feature, Doze Mode, has also been improved in Android N. Doze now features a two-tier system. Also, a lot of improvements were made to the notifications, multi-tasking, and settings in Android N with Unicode 9 support.

You now can suggest a name too for the Android N! Link.

Google Assistant

During the keynote speech, Pichai unveiled a new “conversational” assistant. Based upon natural-language processing, Google Assistant seems to be a new name for Google Now, which has been available for some time on Android devices. It’s much like a personal assistant and also a conversationalist. “Think of the assistant, we think of it as a conversational assistant, we want users to have an ongoing two-way dialog,” CEO Sundar Pichai said. It’s much like it’s competition from Apple Inc. Siri, as well as other voice assistants.

Google Home

Google Home is a voice-activated home product that allows you and your family to get answers from Google, stream music, and manage everyday tasks. It’s much like the amazon echo as seen from the keynote. It’s a small speaker you plug into the wall with always-listening, far-field microphones that can hear you from across the room. It’ll answer your questions, play your music, and control some of your home automation gadgets.

Google Home

Google Allo and Duo

Engineering director, Erik Kay, introduced a new “smart messaging app” called Allo. Speaking about the app, which comes with Google built-in, he said: “It works over time to make conversations easier and more productive”.  CEO Sundar Pichai said that they deeply focus on Machine Learning as it can be seen that over time to make conversations easier. And also it has a feature called Whisper/Shout which lets you send a message according to your pitch of reply.

Google also talked about Duo, a single, one-to-one video calling app which is said to “perform well even on slow networks”. It works on both Android and iOS. One of its standout features is a function which Google calls ‘Knock Knock’ which shows you a live video stream of the caller before you even answer the call. Once you do, the video will continue but you will now be part of the conversation. It’s said to be both fast and smooth.

Daydream and VR

Google is making a feature called Android VR Mode into the latest version of its operating system. VR Mode includes a series of optimizations that will improve apps’ performance. A Daydream home screen will let people access apps and content while using the headset; an early look shows a forest landscape with the slightly low-poly look that Google has used in Cardboard apps. Inside this environment, Google has created special VR versions of YouTube, Street View, the Google Play Store, Play Movies, and Google Photos. It’s also recruited a number of outside media companies to bring apps to Daydream, including streaming platforms like Netflix and gaming companies like Ubisoft and Electronic Arts.

Google VR

Android Wear 2.0

The biggest update of android wear, given the material design overhaul and features to  have standalone apps. Probably the biggest feature is to connect directly to WiFi Networks when not connected to your phone over Bluetooth and likewise. Also, the UI is completely redesigned.

Google I/O Attendee SWAG! (via androidcentral)

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