Google I/O developers conference kicked off at 10.30 pm IST where CEO Sundar Pichai is speaking on major products the company has been working on in his keynote. While Android was again the subject that the event was mostly about, there was a new showstopper this time. Google has launched the much-anticipated Pixel 3a smartphones at the I/O 2019. Not only the new watered-down Pixel devices are essential, they boost the company’s smartphone portfolio especially in volatile markets such as India that has seen OnePlus outselling Samsung in short time.
Google I/O 2019: Where to watch live stream in India, timing, and top expectations
The Google I/O 2019 was being live streamed on Google Events page, YouTube, and even Twitter, so if you have been enthusiastically waiting for the event you can catch the updates live. Alternatively, FE Tech is covering the event live in this blog, so make sure you don’t scroll away. The event started at 10.30 pm IST sharp on May 7 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.
So far, there have been a huge round of rumours giving away all the details on the new Pixel 3a devices. They will have lower-specced processors, likely the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670, packed inside that makes for the pricing, which has also been rumoured to be in the ballpark with OnePlus. Apart from a few specifications, the Pixel 3a will retain hardware elements such as the camera. According to the leaks, Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL will have a 12.2-megapixel rear camera at the back while there will be an 8-megapixel selfie camera. Pixel 3a will have all the camera features usually seen on premium Pixel devices.
Apart from the Pixel 3a phones, Google is likely to shed more light on Android Q alongside releasing its third beta version. There will not be any official announcement on what Android Q will commercially be called, if we go by Google’s tradition. Moreover, Google Assistant, Google Photos, Google Lens, and some other Google apps will see new features coming this year. Google Stadia, the gaming platform that was launched earlier this year, is also expected to have its pricing announced at the keynote.
Highlights
That’s a wrap. Google I/O has just started for the developers who will collaborate with the company over many aspects of app development.
Google’s AI For Good is expanding to more countries in partnership with their respective governments to employ AI in the betterment of the citizens and save lives in case of natural calamity.
Google is helping India and other countries to help goverments detect floods and cyclones early.
Google is now talking about machine learning and AI
Google Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL launched in India at I/O 2019: Price, specs, and more
The Pixel 3a starts at $399 in the US but in India, it starts at Rs 39,999
Google announces Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL.
It’s time for Pixel.
The Nest Hub price has been slashed to $129 and coming to India
Google’s Nest Hub Max costs $229 and will ship “later this summer.”
Nest Hub Max will let you manually disable microphone and camera on the speaker so that it doesn’t record anything on its own.
Google has launched the Nest Hub Max with a larger display than the Nest Hub.
So going forward, Google Home will be called Nest Home, Google Home Hub will be called Nest Hub and more.
Google is now letting you know what data Google Home speakers collect and how they process it.
Google is bringing all the audio and camera devices under the Nest brand.
Rick Osterloh is now the stage to talk about HARDWARE
Android Q Beta is now available on 21 devices from 12 OEMs including Pixel phones
With Android Q, parents can set timers on their children’s phones.
Digital Wellbeing is getting a Focus Mode that will allow you snooze certain distracting apps to stay focused on what you are doing.
Android Q finally has a dark theme that will be common to all the apps on the phone.
Smart Reply on Android Q will work on all messaging apps on the phone. Powered by on-device learning, Smart Reply can suggest nifty things.
Live Captions does not need Internet to work. Google is leveraging its voice recognition data that it shrank to just 0.5GB from 100GB.
The Live Captions feature is now being detailed as a part of Android Q demo
Android Q supports 5G natively with over 20 carriers working actively with Google
Android Q has App Continuity that we first saw on the ill-fated Galaxy Fold devices.
Security and privacy are the central theme for Android Q.
Finally, it’s time for Android Q. There are over 2.5 billion active Android devices in the world.
Google is launching Project Euphonia to help people who have ALS or other speech disorder speak.
Google’s Live Relay will read the text aloud for people who are hard of hearing.
Google is rolling out Live Captions that will enable captions on any video or podcast. It doesn’t have to be a YouTube video, it could be any video or audio file played on the phone.
Google’s Gboard keyboard now uses Federated Learning that helps it figure out the next words without having to learn the words the user types
Two-factor authentication becomes easier as your Android phone is now the Security Key on all phones running Android 7.0 or higher
Google Maps is getting an incognito mode along with other apps such as Chrome
Google Pixel 3a next on the list.
Pichai is back on the stage.
Google Assistant can now stop timers, alarms by just your voice in English-speaking locales on Home and smart displays.
As soon as the Google Assistant enters Driving Mode, everything goes voice-controlled. It rolls out to all Android phones with Google Assistant starting this summer.
Google Assistant now has a dedicated Driving Mode that can be triggered by saying “Hey Google, let’s drive”
Google Assistant is getting Personal Refrences to customise the search results according to your personal information such as your mother’s location
Google Assistant will offer suggestions on search terms tailored as per your choice. It’s called Picks for You and will be available in recipes, podcasts, and events.