Google I/O 2016: These Are 10 Biggest Announcements That Happened

At the Google I/O 2016, the search engine giant displayed that its vision is more ubiquitous with its way of interacting with technology. Well, Google has made some really big announcements at the annual developers conference.

Google has made its Assistant efficient enough to dwell into many new products such as Allo and Home. Google has added nice twists in several products.

Also Read: 10 Things You Never Knew Google Could Do For You

It has come up with Android N that is yet to be named. Also, there is a FaceTime rival called Duo to combat with Apple. Check out the major announcements that were made by Google at the Google I/O 2016 from below.

Allo, the messaging app

Allo is a mobile-only app and you can sign up for it using your phone number. This app gives you an option to connect to your Google account. It has the common messaging features such as custom stickers, and emoji.

It also lets users draw on photos and control the font size of the messages. Google Assistant is a unique feature of Allo. Users can call on the Assistant for any needed information and automatically generation responses.

Further, Google has stressed the privacy aspects by encrypting the messages in Allo. There is an incognito mode and messages are secure with end-to-end protection. There are notifications for expiring messages and private notifications as well.

Duo is a FaceTime rival from Google

Duo is another messaging app that joins Allo. It is a video chatting app much like the FaceTime by Apple. It is separate from Allo and it is meant for an exceptional video-only experience.

Duo is very simple to use. You just have to open the app and you will be presented with a preview of selfie-cam video of yourself. There is a Knock Knock feature that will let the person you are calling see a video preview of you just before they answer it.

This video chatting app from Google is linked with your mobile number unlike FaceTime. It will be launched both for Android and iOS this summer just like Allo.

Google Home - a competition for Amazon Echo

The new home assistant known as Google Home is a small speaker that has always-listening micrphones integrating into a wide range of services. Home can answer questions and also execute commands in the same was Echo.

Also Read: 5 reasons to look forward to Google's rumored VR headset

This product depends on Google Assistant to understand the queries. It is a small cylinder featuring a rounded top along with a speaker at its base. It comes in several shells to match your décor. It can be used with several devices in various rooms.

Home is developed on the Chromecast standard that lets it push media to the speakers and screens that are compatible with Cast. It can change temperature or lighting using the Nest devices. It can also be integrated with Spotify.

Next-gen Google Assistant is just like a chat app

The next-gen Google Assistant is similar to a chat app. It was demonstrated to show its ability. It extends its support to Google Home and Allo. It can be called in any conversation so that your friends can respond to what it says.

Also, it offers replies to things that your friends say in the apps. Google learns the responses that have to be offered depending on how you actually write.

Android N is faster and smarter

Following the developer preview of Android N earlier this year showing the quick settings buttons, split-screen multi-tasking and a new emoji set, Google has released a new beta of the OS now. It showed off many more features of the platform.

The new features include more control over the size of notifications from different apps and an all new picture-in-picture mode. Android N could become a better gaming platform with a slew of battery optimizations and Vulkan, a new API that lets controlling the GPU for sharper 3D graphics.

Android Wear 2 is an overhauled version

The Android Wear 2 is not too different from the first version that went official in 2014. There are some changes that will change the user experience. Users can make any watch face show data from any app just like Apple Watch.

Also Read: Android Wear 2.0 is the wearable OS we have been waiting for. Here's what's new

Also, Android Wear 2.0 is likely to help your smartwatch become autonomous. It is claimed that watches that are equipped this version do not rely much on smartphones and data connections.

The Android Wear 2.0 includes features such as automatic exercise recognition as well as better third-party app syncing.

Android Auto includes Waze

Google has come up with steady improvements for drivers. The Android Auto includes Waze, the traffic-tracking app. It lets drivers get the accident alerts and speed trap warnings in real time.

The new Android Auto can connect to cars using Wi-Fi while the earlier versions needed a wired USB connection. The Auto will work even if your car does not support the system.

Daydream, Google VR platform

The new mobile virtual reality platform called Daydream is built on top of Android N. It will look more powerful than Cardboard. Daydream is similar to Android for VR and it is a backbone of software in Android N providing an entire ecosystem for users to play around.

The home screen will have apps like Gear VR's home screen. Google has already added special VR versions to many of its products. The biggest limitation is it will work on phones that have special screens and sensors that will launch this fall.

A VR headset from Google

Google showed a reference design of as VR headset powered by smartphone. This one looks mich like a smaller and cordless Oculus Rift.

Google seems to be prepared to indulge more seriously in the VR segment with a new reference design and Daydream.

Android Instant Apps improves mobile browsing experience

The Android Instant Apps is a novel approach to load parts of apps even if the same is not installed on your device. Google claims that developers will need less than a day to modularize their apps for this program.

Allo and Duo pre-registrations open

It was announced that the Allo and Duo will be available this summer. Now, Google Play Store is accepting pre-registrations for these new messaging apps. Once you pre-register, you will be notified when the apps are available.