Top 9 Google I/O 2019 Announcements: Transforming The App Industry

Written by Martin | Published 2019/07/03
Tech Story Tags: apps | mobile-app-development | google-announcement | android | mobile-apps | latest-tech-stories | google-io-2019 | io-2019-announcements-google

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Every year, Google holds a conference for its developers, just to help them update their apps and make them up to the recent innovations. It usually starts on 7 May and ends on 9 May. Moreover, this event also discloses the information regarding what new Google is bringing with it!
This might be a conference for developers but it is equally important for the businesses and customers. Businesses in the mobile app development industry are impacted greatly through these updates announced each year by Google.
Every mobile app development company waits for these announcements every year and I hope you are also one of them as you have landed to this here. So, looking for the latest Google announcements 2019 eagerly? Let’s dive into a list of announcements that Google made this year:
Google I/O 2019 Highlights for Mobile App Development Industry:

#1 Top Google I/O highlights: A Less Expensive Pixel Mobile for People

This is not a big surprise for all as it’s details were already leaked in the market. But still, Google made it formal by introducing Pixel 3a and 3a XL smartphones in its conference. The price of these phones started at $399.
Google is creating a cost-effective version of its smartphone. The organization is willing to expand its market by entering global markets where clients seek a top-level smartphone at a more reasonable price. Moreover, it is still struggling to outshine its competitors like Apple.
The latest 5.6-inch Pixel 3a mobile has half cost price than its former model. The new pixel will cost 399 dollars. And 6-inch Pixel 3a XL will cost 479 dollars. Furthermore, the normal higher-end Pixel gadgets start at 799 dollars.
They were made available in black, white and purple. The reviews of the phones are awesome too. Here is a detailed analysis of the features and sales figures of Pixel 3 and 3A XL

Here you can buy them now from the official Google store!

These upcoming mobile phones are basically the lower versions of Google’s present Pixel Mobile series and they do not promote any new feature. These new Pixel mobile phones have a look which is quite similar to the previous ones and their cameras also feature portrait and night mode.

#2 Top Google I/O highlights: Google Assistant just got way more interesting

Google’s next-generation assistant processes requests at a faster speed. It helps users to speak commands more quickly without any speed related issue. Also, its continued conversation feature helps users to speak more fluently.
Now, there is no need to say ‘Hey Google’ at the start of every command. And this next generation Google assistant is going to be available in the latest Pixel Mobiles in the last part of this year.
Other than great speed, it also has a special feature called personal references that helps in customizing the Assistant. Moreover, new google assistant can be easily integrated with Waze and Google Maps. It is another interesting thing about the upcoming and updated Google assistant.
Now you can easily access each kind of precise feature during navigation and later this year. It will be available on each mobile with Google assistant.
Not only this, now you need not say ‘Hey Google’ just to work with timers and alarms on Google home devices and Google smart displays. Rather, you can just say ‘stop’ and wait for the gadget to accept your command.

#3 Top Google I/O highlights: Android Q comes with New Updates

In this I/O 2019 conference, Google shared various updates regarding Android Q — Its next-generation mobile OS. It comes with a new dark mode that creates black backgrounds and white texts which are comfortable for the battery life and eyes.
Furthermore, Google will add some features in order to help masses utilize gadgets less like a part of its digital wellbeing push introduced the previous year.
As per Google, 90 percent of people who use its timers are still using apps less. Presently, Google is launching a Focus Mode that does not have distracting applications such as Youtube.
This Android launch will put more attention on two important things- privacy and security. Also, it will have faster software updates and more settings to assist these kinds of issues in the background.

#4 Top Google I/O highlights: New Nest Home Max

Google has collaborated its Nest and smart home teams and now all smart home devices fall under the Nest brand. And the first new device that will be introduced under the Nest brand is the Nest Home Max.
Basically, it is a giant Google Home Hub with a 10inch display. Moreover, it has all the features from the Home Hub and a few newer ones. For instance, you can use Hub Max’s camera as a home security camera and can stream live video in case you are not near to your Home.
Furthermore, it has a new Face Match feature that recognizes every user if configured and personalizes the experience. Also, it has new gesture support that utilizes the concept of on-device machine learning techniques to recognize hand gestures so now you need not speak a word to control it.
Google declared that Nest Hub Max will be launched this summer at the rate of 229 dollars. However, the original Home Hub which is now known as Nest Hub got a cut in its cost price. Now, Nest Hub has a reduced cost price of 129 dollars.

#5 Top Google I/O highlights: Android is now going Kotlin First

“Android development will become increasingly Kotlin-first” written by Google in its recent announcement.
So, if you are making an app then choose Kotlin as it will ask for fewer codes to test, write and maintain.
In 2017, Google declared support for this language in its Android studio. This helped Kotlin to gain popularity among the developers in the past two years. Today, in a recent survey by Stackoverflow, Kotlin is the fourth most loved language. Here is the graphical representation of the same:
On this conference, Google declared Kotlin as one of the official programming languages for android app development at I/O 2019. Also, Google stated that it would make all its future Android apps with Kotlin.
Moreover, Google suggested to Java developers to migrate to the Kotlin. It is being expected that IT outsourcing giants will soon hire mobile app developers from India to create android apps on Kotlin.

#6 Top Google I/O highlights: Live Caption

How many times have your efforts to understand a web series went in vain because of language issues? Here is an update by Google which will provide a caption to all the audios and videos playing on Android Q. It provides real-time captions.
Here is the official video released by Google on this latest tool by the company- Live caption. It working is very well explained in this video:
You will not be required to send or receive any kind of data to make it work on your device. It does not depend on the source of your video or audio. Moreover, Google is planning to introduce “Live Relay” which will support live phone calls too.
It sounds interesting. Isn’t it? It is the newest innovation which offers a lot to explore for every small business. If you too want to include such features in your apps then I would suggest you hire Android app developers who are proficient in all the latest technologies.

#7 Top Google I/O highlights: Google Duplex on the web

Although it is yet to be made available on the web it is one of the most exciting updates from Google! It will act as a virtual assistant which will work for you personally with the integration of Google assistant.
It is the feature based on Artificial Intelligence technology. It works as a virtual personal assistant. It was unveiled last year by Google with its capabilities to make actual phone calls for reservations to restaurants or by booking your cab according to your trip plans.
It tracks everything from your tickets to preferences through history to execute its services almost in a way which was unimaginable earlier. This is the reason that it is the most trending technology updates of 2019!

#8 Top Google I/O highlights: Google maps in Incognito mode

Do you find it irritating when you cannot navigate locations privately? In order to minimize the tracking of search and location, Google is introducing something new for its Maps tool. This feature was launched last year for the Youtube searches too.
You will now be able to search locations privately with the soon-to-be-launched Google maps ability to get open in incognito mode. This came in when a week passed by after the announcement of Google that the users will be automatically able to delete the search and location history.
This can be done between a period of 3 to 18 months. Coming back to the Google apps in incognito mode, you can enjoy this feature in apps as well as on the web.

#9 Top Google I/O highlights: Search

Have you ever found difficulty in finding podcasts in Google searches? According to the new additions into the Google search tool, you can search and save podcasts for later. Apart from this, Augmented reality capabilities are integrated into mobile searches.
The latest announcements by Google has boosted its one of the most important products; search tool, remarkably. Here are a few examples which you can do with the integration of AR in searches:
Bring your mobile’s camera on a recipe in magazine and Google will show the related videos.Capture a sign in your lens and see the translated text in the native language.Bring the menu of a restaurant in front of the camera and Google will show you the most popular dishes.
All this is possible with the recently launched google visual search tool; Google lens. A user can search for anything to interact with the search results at a completely new level like never before.

Let’s Wrap Up:

Hence, this year comes Google brings several amazing features and technologies like Next Generation Google Assistant, Google Duplex, Less expensive Pixel Mobiles, and Nest Home Max.
Moreover, Google also suggested Java developers use Kotlin. Hence, most app development companies in the USA are supposed to stick to this suggestion, resulting in Kotlin based android app development.
Do you have an idea to make an app that can compete and align with the latest Google updates? If yes, then do not risk to waste time and contact us at Xicom, the best mobile application development services, at least in our opinion, to change your idea into reality!
What you find more interesting in Google I/O announcement? Share your views in the comment box. And, do share the post with your family and friends so that they know about the latest updates of Google.

Written by Martin | Tech Lead and Technical Content Writer @xicom.biz. Tech Geek, Passionate Writer, Business Consultant
Published by HackerNoon on 2019/07/03