Google’s Stadia plans to make launch woes a relic of gaming history
Launch problems have sunk numerous recent releases including Bioware's Anthem and Bethesda's Fallout 76. Google Stadia is positioning itself as the solution. It combines incredibly reliable Google Cloud servers with refreshingly simple dev tools. But will that sway the world's biggest game developers?
The Google Pixel 3a is a slap in the face for people who bought the Pixel 3
Google’s Pixel phones are known for their strong software experiences and smart cameras, but the price of the most recent Pixel 3 flagship smartphone was hard to stomach. Enter the Pixel 3a and 3a XL, phones that give you the best of the Pixel 3 at just half the price. So why should you pay more? Google needs to step up its hardware game.
Google is making it easier to add streaming video services to Android TV
With competition heating up between smart TV platforms from Amazon, Roku, and Apple, Google has a few tweaks planned to help its Android TV users get more from the platform. The company announced that it's going to reduce the number of steps involved in adding new streaming video services.
With Chrome Portals, Google makes websites feel more like web apps
Google is on a mission to make Chrome faster and more powerful, and that journey starts with Portals and Web Packages. Web Packaging allows web pages to load faster, while Portals lets users travel within the same site or across different sites more fluidly, similar to how apps work today.
Google developer explains Stadia’s advantage over the competition
During the Google I/O developer conference, Google Stadia product vice president took the stage to explain how the game streaming platform will benefit developers. He covers the workflow, cloud server options, and more while also comparing it to limitations in PC and traditional home console gaming.
As AR heads to Google search, Lens learns to translate, add tips, and more
Google Lens can soon help you decide what to eat by scanning the menu, then calculate the tip with one look at the receipt. Translation options are also expanding for Lens, while 3D objects and augmented reality tools will be built directly into Google search results, the company announced during I/O.
Next-generation Google Assistant runs in real time on your phone
Google has shown off an impressive raft of new features coming to the next-generation Google Assistant. By compressing models onto local phones, the Assistant can now run in real time without the need for a network connection. There's also Driving Mode, Duplex on the web, and more.
Google Pixel 3a vs Pixel 3a XL: What’s the difference and which best suits you?
If the Pixel 3 was a bit expensive for you, but you love the idea of a Google phone, then perhaps the affordable Pixel 3a, or the slightly bigger Pixel 3a XL, will tempt you. But just how do these Android smartphones differ apart from the price? We've got all the answers you need right here.
The 2019 Google Play Awards honor self-care apps and alien-blasting games
Google has announced the winners of its annual Google Play Awards, and it's honoring some of the best of the best out there, from self-care apps, to gorgeous games that reward you for blowing up aliens. Here are all the winners of the 2019 Play Awards for the very best Android apps and games.
Android Q beta will roll out to more smartphones than Android Pie beta
The Android Q beta will involve more smartphones compared to the Android Pie beta last year, which included seven devices beyond Google's Pixel. The development is due to Project Treble, which makes it easier, faster, and less costly for manufacturers to update devices to the latest Android version.
As Google I/O looms, here are 5 features we’d love to see in Android Q
What would improve the Android platform? We’ve been thinking about the new features we’d love to see in Android Q and musing on the changes we think Google should make to improve the software. Here are the five things that top our wish list, that we hope to see at Google I/O.
Before Google’s lifelike Duplex A.I., these chatbots paved the way
The amazing Google Duplex feature Google unveiled at its Google IO event is just the latest in a long line of smart chatbot technologies designed to emulate human conversations using machine technology. Here are the 10 of the most significant milestones we passed to reach this point.
Meet Google Duplex, AI that sounds human when it calls to book appointments
Calling a doctor's office, hair salon, or plumber for an appointment is often necessary when no online booking system is available. Google Assistant, using Google Duplex technology, may soon be able to do it for you and still sound like a human on the phone.
Google enables virtual tour creation via Street View or a smartphone
Google wants anyone to be able to create a virtual tour -- Google Tour Creator is an online program for creating virtual tours with multiple scenes. Anyone can use the program, using new images (like images from the Ricoh Theta V), Street View photos or, now, images shot in the Cardboard Camera app.
Google Home will stamp its passport in at least seven new countries this year
Google is slated to double the number of national markets in which the Google Home and Google Home Mini can be found this year. With the addition of Spain, Austria, and Ireland, the Google Assistant-enabled smart speakers are now available in 11 countries around the world.
Google’s first Project Ara modular phone will arrive in 2017
Modular phones gives you the next and best in technology, without having to spend money on a new phone. Google's first Ara phone will be out in 2017.
Can A.I. make self-driving cars a reality? Waymo reveals the future
Waymo got some stage time at Google I/O to discuss how Google's artificial intelligence efforts have helped speed up the development of self-driving cars. A.I. allows autonomous cars to react to the environment, according to Waymo, which plans to launch an autonomous ride sharing service later this year.
Augmented reality’s latest trick? Simplifying directions on Google Maps
At Google I/O, the company gave us a sneak peek at what's yet to come from Google Maps, and no matter how nonexistent your sense of direction might be, Google can help. Plus, there are a slew of new features for discovering new local restaurants, as well as party planning tools newly at your disposal.
Google Photos now using A.I. to simplify editing and sharing images
At Google I/O, Google announced new A.I.-based features that will be rolling out across its products and services, including Google Photos. The new “suggested actions" will provide image-specific corrections and more in order to help speed up the editing and sharing process for users.
Microsoft Build and Google I/O are over. Which came out on top?
Both Microsoft and Google offer competing visions on how computing can shape the future. Both companies used AI in their demos, but Google took a consumer approach while Microsoft is directing its efforts at developers and the enterprise market.
A.I. and Google News: The push to broaden perspectives
Google has redesigned its Google News app, not just to refresh the design, but to also look for a way to broaden perspectives in an increasingly polarized world. While a lot of content is tailored towards you, there’s a new feature that forces you to see articles from all kinds of credible sources.
Google News receives a major overhaul, replaces Google Play Newsstand
At this year's Google I/O, Google announced its all-new Google News app -- replacing Google Play Newsstand on mobile and desktop, along with the Google News & Weather app on mobile. The new app uses Artificial Intelligence for the purpose of bringing you more customized news feeds.
Chromebooks will start to feel more like Windows, but in a good way
Google adds more productivity features, improved app support, and better multitasking to Chrome OS to make Chromebooks a better alternative against systems running Windows 10 or MacOS. These new Chrome OS features make Chrome OS feel just as natural in notebook or tablet form factors.
Google wants to let you vote from your Android phone
Would you feel happy casting your vote for your next government leader on your smartphone? Google wants to make it so you don't even think twice about it, and has revealed some new security features that might make the Android operating system the go-to choice for all sorts of secure transactions.
Like the internet? Google wants to attach it to your face
Google announced the new WebXR APIs to help developers create augmented and virtual reality experiences for the browser. The move will create a more immersive web experience, allowing VR and AR content to be viewed on mobile VR headsets, desktop VR devices, and on the mobile web through Magic Window.
With developer program, Google Photos is about to become a lot more versatile
Google Photos is expanding with third-party app integration, thanks to a new Google Photos Partner Program. The change allows app developers build Google Photos features into their apps, which means you'll start seeing new ways to use the photo platform from integration with apps to digital picture frames.
Google Pay gets support for mobile boarding passes and event tickets
Google Pay is adding mobile boarding passes and event tickets, the company said during Google I/O on Tuesday. Broadening its functionality to better mirror Apple's Wallet, the support will be welcomed by Android users, who can now expect "streamlined and engaging ticketing and boarding pass experiences."
How Chrome and other browsers came together to protect you from Spectre
Google's Chris Palmer said that the security teams from major browser developers worked together to protect you from web-based Spectre attacks. For Chrome, Google incorporated a method called site isolation, which isolates the origins of each webpage so that data is not shared between those origins.
Here’s everything we saw at the action-packed Google I/O 2018 keynote
Google I/O 2018 is finally here, and boy are there some great announcements to go over. From improvements to Android, to updates to Google Assistant, to a revamped Google News, to improvements to Google Maps, here's everything we saw at the Google I/O 2018 keynote.
Google responsibly: New Android features remind you to give your phone a rest
Google opened it's annual developer conference, Google I/O, by emphasizing "responsibility in technology" during its keynote. Specifically, Google is launching new tools aimed at helping individuals and families better manage how much time they spend on their mobile devices.
Google will soon be able to write your emails for you
Announced at Google I/O, soon Gmail will be able to write whole emails for you, or at least whole sections of your emails, with just a few keystrokes. Pulling from your Gmail message history, Smart Compose will be able to help you put together an email by suggesting phrases when you start typing them.
LG’s Signature connected devices jump on the Google Home bandwagon
Electronics announced a new line of smart appliances completely compatible with Google Assistant and Google Home
Android Instant Apps and Progressive Web Apps load instantly on your phone
Android Instant Apps will allow you to visit the app version of websites without ever having to install the app.
Google sheds more light on mobile VR headset, next-gen Daydream platform
During Google I/O, Mike Jazayeri provide additional information about the upcoming stand-alone VR headset and the Daydream 2.0 platform.