Google Teases Pixel 7 With Next-Gen Tensor Chip

Google recently gave an early glimpse of the Pixel 7 during its I/O 2022 keynote, ahead of its release later this year. While Google did not release many detailed features or components, the company did show off the Pixel 7's design, which retains the prominent camera bar that debuted on the Pixel 6. One enhancement for the Pixel 7 in 2022 is a redesigned frame constructed of recyclable aluminum that now stretches smoothly across the camera bar.

The regular Pixel 7 will have two back cameras, like previously, but the more expensive Pixel 7 Pro will include a triple camera array. Meanwhile, the phone will use a second-generation Tensor processor aimed to improve a variety of capabilities as as speech recognition, images, videos, and security. Unfortunately, there has been no news on pricing or an official debut date, so stay tuned for more information this fall. 

Google Developing New Pair Of AR Glasses

Google is developing a new pair of augmented reality glasses. At I/O 2022, the company teased the gadget by providing a brief video demonstrating some of its features. We observed a "early prototype" of the wearable transcribe a real-time dialogue, effectively generating subtitles for the wearer. Google also demonstrated the prototype converting an English discussion into Spanish, allowing a non-English speaker to converse with the Google employee speaking to them.

Google has not stated when it expects to release the wearable. Also the teaser video Google presented during its presentation featured wording at the bottom of the screen stating that what it was exhibiting was a "simulated point of view," implying that the final interface will appear far different from the one Google showed off. 

Google Cancels Developer Conference I/O

Due to coronavirus concerns, Google has cancelled I/O, its annual developer conference. The company has sent out an email to all attendees informing them of the decision. I/O 2020 was set to be held from May 12th to the 14th at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. All guests will receive a refund by March 13th, and will be automatically granted an option to purchase a I/O 2021 ticket.

Here’s an official statement from Google: ”Due to concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in accordance with health guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other health authorities, we have decided to cancel the physical Google I/O event at Shoreline Amphitheatre," the email states. "Over the coming weeks, we will explore other ways to evolve Google I/O to best connect with and continue to build our developer community. We'll continue to update the Google I/O website."

A #GoogleIO update.

Due to concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19), we've decided to cancel this year's physical event at Shoreline Amphitheatre. It's sad that we won't be able to gather as a developer community but your health and safety is our priority. (1/2)

— Google Developers (@googledevs) March 3, 2020

Google I/O 2020 Happening May 12th - 14th

Google has announced that its annual developer event will return to the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View. Google I/O will run from May 12th - 14th. In the past we've seen announcements focusing on everything from Assistant to Google Glass, so you never know with Google. 

Cosmos aligned. We'll be back at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View for this year's #GoogleIO on May 12-14! pic.twitter.com/3bZqriaoi1

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) January 24, 2020

Google Announces The Pixel 3a And 3a XL

During the Google I/O keynote, Google announced the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL smartphones. The new Pixel 3a and 3a XL models will start at $400 and come in three colors; Just Black, Clearly White, and Purple-ish, and will be available for all U.S. carriers. The Pixel 3a and 3a XL include an OLED display and support Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C digital audio. It features a 12.2 megapixel, double pixel rear camera, and an 8-megapixel front camera, and both versions see the return of the 3.5 mm headphone jack. The 3a includes 64 GB of storage and an adaptive battery with up to 30 hours on a single charge. Google also announced the Pixel 3a/3a XL charger  should also be able to provide up to 7 hours of power with just a 15-minute charge. You can find out more about the Pixel 3a and 3a XL by going here. 

Google Assistant Smart Displays Will Be Available In July

Google has announced at there I/O keynote that the first round of smart displays will ship starting this July. The company showed off how you could also watch YouTube TV, which is Google's live TV service, on those smart displays. You could use Google Assistant to walk you through steps of a recipe, complete with visual aids. You can also use these smart displays to see what your Nest cam sees.

Android P's Public Beta Available Now

Google has announced at there I/O keynote that they are releasing a public Android P beta for 11 phones, including its own Pixel phones, the Essential Phone, Sony's Xperia XZ2, Xiaomi's Mi Mix 2S and the upcoming OnePlus 6. You won't want to install this beta if you need a completely reliable phone, but Android P's features may be worth trying if you're willing to experiment. Android P brings a dash of AI to power management and brightness to proactively shut down little-used apps and ramp up the brightness only when you need it. The predictive app section in the notification shade now includes new buttons that predict what you'd like to do, such as messaging a friend.  Android P is also tackling digital overload with an app usage dashboard, a less visually distracting Do Not Disturb mode, a Shush option to quickly silence alerts and a Wind Down mode that reminds you to get ready for bed. Thoughts ?

Google Home Is About To Get A Whole Lot Better

During Google’s I/O keynote the company announced that a number of great updates are coming to its smart speaker. First will soon be able to give you proactive notifications, like alerting you to traffic delays ahead of upcoming appointments. Google Home will light up to let you know it has an alert for you, so it thankfully won't just start talking without any prompting. Also, you'll soon be able to see visual responses to your Home queries on all of your devices. So, for example, if you ask for directions somewhere, you'll get that routed straight to your phone. Second, Bluetooth connectivity is coming to Google Home. This means you'll be able to play music and other audio from any device, including those running Android and iOS. Google also revealed that Spotify's free tier will be available on Home. What's more, support for SoundCloud and Deezer is on the way too. Last but most certainly not least, users can make hands-free calls on their Google Home as long as they're to anyone in the US or Canada, they'll be absolutely free. The hub recognizes your voice commands and automatically finds the right number from your contacts but differentiates by your vocal tone, so asking to "call mom" won't accidentally call someone else by mistake. Google Home's feature ostensibly makes standard calls to any phone and will use a private number by default, but users can link it to their personal one. It will roll out to Home devices in the US over the next few months. Thoughts ? I’m a Google Home user and i’m extremely excited about these updates. More specifically using my Google Home to make calls. 

Google Assistant Rumored To Appear On iOS Soon

According to Android Police, Google Assistant will soon be available on iOS as a standalone app. The app may be announced as soon as this week at Google's I/O Conference. Also, Assistant for iOS will be US only at launch. As noted in the post, adding "Assistant to the world's second-largest mobile OS would like encourage more developers to integrate with the app's functionality." Thoughts ?

Google I/O Announced For May 17th To 19th

Google has announced that its annual I/O conference will be held at Mountain View's Shoreline Amphitheater from May 17th-19th. You can count on a keynote presentation about the future of Android and Google products and maybe even a peek at the new version of the Pixel and Daydream at the event.  Thoughts ? We saw Android Nougat last year, so there's a good chance will see the follow up as well.

Google Has Confimed That Dates For There I/O Conference

Google’s I/O conference will take place on May 18-20 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View. Google uses I/O to showcase major updates to its software that are coming in 2016. As well as Android 7.0 N, we will likely see improvements to Android Wear, Chrome OS, various Google apps and services and more. We may even get some news on Google Glass. What do you expect to hear out of I/O ?