The Google I/O 2019 is one of the most significant tech events of the year. As such, all eyes were on the key announcements at the event. This year’s I/O was a developer’s conference. As such, there was a focus on essential developments in the form of new devices for consumers and businesses.
There was a ton of news, announcements, and information that excited the audience. This roundup will showcase the highlights you need to know.
Pixel 3A and 3A XL
The unveiling of the Pixel 3A and 3A XL devices was one of the main highlights from Google’s recent event. It is the first time after several years that Google showcased a smartphone at the I/O gathering, and the wait seems to be worth it. The new Pixel 3A and 3A XL devices are budget-friendly alternatives to the flagship smartphone device. What this means is that more people will now be able to afford a Pixel.
The budget-friendly versions are impressive, as they offer nearly the same set of features as their predecessors. Granted, these have been scaled down to match the price point. Even so, they still pack a punch. The Pixel’s camera is excellent as expected from a feature that is known to be a significant differentiator for Google mobile devices.
There are certain limitations, though. One of them is the phones’ lack of expandable memory capacity. The maximum internal storage limit is at 64GB for both Pixel 3A and 3A XL devices.
Google Search
Google Search is undeniably one of the top products from Google. At the I/O 2019 event, they made several announcements relating to it. One of those is the inclusion of podcast support. This new feature gives users the ability to search for podcasts via Google in a more seamless manner. It even allows you to use the save option so that you can listen to podcast episodes at a later time.
If that is not enough, camera integration and augmented reality capabilities will enrich your Google Search experience. These are functionalities that will work with Google’s mobile search function. Not only will you get the search results you want, but you can also interact with the results shown to you.
The Google Lens feature, meanwhile, is a visual search tool that will integrate with Search. One of the best examples of how to use this tool is when you point the camera of your smartphone at a restaurant menu. Google Lens will highlight the favorite dishes, enabling you to make better-informed decisions when dining out.
Another cool way to use this new visual search tool is to point the camera at a recipe in a magazine. Doing so will prompt a search for a video that will demonstrate how to create the dish.
Google Nest Hub Max
Another great product introduced during the I/O 2019 event was the Nest Hub Max. It is a revamped version of the Google Home Hub with a few new features sprinkled in.
One of the most significant changes to the Nest Hub Max is that it will come with a 10-inch screen. Its predecessor only had a 7-inch screen. On top of the larger screen, you can also get a new 6 MP camera for making video calls along with gesture recognition, face recognition, and improved speakers.
Google Nest is the new brand established as a result of the union of the Nest and Assistant. The main goal for Google is to entice current Nest users to switch from the Nest app to using one Google account for all home product devices. Google has reassured privacy and security for its users by incorporating a wide range of new safety features.
The Google Nest Hub Max is expected to release in the US and UK is late July with a $229 price tag.
Android Q Dark Mode
The Android Q will be the new version of the operating system from Google. This dark mode will make it easier on the eyes when you are staring at a screen for an extended period. You can activate this mode from a quick tile or when you access the battery settings.
Aside from this functionality, Q has a host of other features. One of them is the ability to add captions to videos or audio files. Google is also integrating the autocomplete functionality from Gmail by offering smart completion of words you’re trying to type in. You can now instantly complete whatever you’re typing using the data generated by the algorithm. Certainly a time saver!
Google Duplex
Google Duplex is an AI feature that serves as a virtual personal assistant for web users. Since the service was rolled out in 2018, it has made it easier to make automated phone calls when placing reservations.
Duplex is now available on the phone. When you integrate this AI feature on your smartphone, it can perform a variety of tasks on your behalf. From booking a car to making reservations at a restaurant, Duplex makes it a breeze.
Next-Gen Google Assistant
The brand new Google Assistant is one of the most exciting things that Google has to offer this year. The most valuable update to this product is that it is going to be faster than ever. It can process requests at impressive speeds such that you can send commands in rapid succession. It can also understand natural conversations, so it eliminates the need to start your command with “Hey Google.”
The new and improved Google Assistant will be integrated into Pixel devices later this year.
