GLOBAL, MAY 17, 2013 – We are about midstream as regards Google I/O 2013 – the company’s annual developers’ conference – and this is what has been revealed or taken up so far.
In a nutshell, this year’s I/O has been much less about big hardware and software revelations – confounding the expectations of many – and more about refinements to existing Google services and/or their expansion, as the case may be, including the tools app developers need to craft better apps.
More specifically, Google announced the following new services:
– Google Maps for Mobile is a special version of Google Maps geared for mobile users, which provides driver-specific features such as traffic source information, traffic warnings and recommended new routes, as well as a special new interface for tablets that showcases a feature allowing users to explore nearby restaurants, bars, shops and so on.
– Google Play Game Services allows users to seamlessly switch between playing games on smartphones and tablets, as well as enjoy gaming integration with social circles on Google+, the Google social network.
– Google Play Music All Access is the company’s foray into subscription music. For a fee ($7.99/month up to June 30, and $9.99/month thereafter), users can stream a wide selection of music via web browsers and Android devices, and can also access personalized music recommendations.
– A version of its Hangouts app for Android and iOS users to allow them to chat over text or video and share pictures on these platforms.
Other announced features are geared at enhancing the consumer experience for those already using existing Google services:
– Updates for the desktop version of Google Maps, including a more refined interface that puts a premium on location (pictures, user reviews, navigation options and more emerge as each location is selected). The final version of Google Maps for the desktop is slated to launch this summer.
– Voice search feature for desktop. Just like in Google Glass, saying “OK, Google” while using the Chrome browser will initiate a search. Conversational searches are supported.
– More features for Google+, including a new interface that looks like Pinterest and features columns of updates that fill a user’s page, and an expanded range of quick-editing tools for touching up pictures.
– Additional functionality for Google Now, which will be able to provide users with information regarding public transit updates, video games and TV shows, and will also allow using voice commands to set reminders and have Google Now inform a user about pre-scheduled events.
As for updates aimed at the developer community, Google also presented ways for Android app developers to allow users to beta-test their apps and see how they scale across differently sized screens, and additionally also revealed that the Play Store would feature a section for tablet-optimized apps.
Check back with adobo Magazine on Monday for more updates regarding Google I/O 2013.
