Google I/O: main announcements

Google I/O 2021: May 18-20

OS

• Launches Android 12, adds car key functionality; Android reaches 3b devices powered
• Launches Wear OS 3.0, partners with Samsung on developing Wear OS for Galaxy watches, Fitbit plans smart watch based on Wear OS; partners with Samsung to develop foldable devices
• Android TV OS reaches 80m MAU devices, adds features

New tools

• Demos Project Starline (videoconference tech; booth equipped with cameras & sensors for creating holographic (3D) video)
• Demos LaMDA: AI for natural-language dialogue
• Launches AI-based Derm Assist (dermatology assist tool) to help spot skin, hair & nail conditions (based on images uploaded by patients)
• Launches new password tools (Google Assistant will offer a change password button, based on Duplex tech)

Updates

• Updates Google Photos, reaches >1b users, total stored 4 trillion photos/videos; adds Cinematic moments (animate series of static photos), generates pattern-based memories
• Updates Google Maps, adds Live View feature (AR-based, adds store information & photos)
• Google Workspace adds Smart Canvas (collaboration, uses AI for language suggestions and idea sharing via Google Meet integration, integrates Docs, Sheets and Slides)

Shopping

• Partners with Shopify to integrate Google Search, Maps, Images, Lens, YouTube
• Google Search launches Shopping Graph: pulls together information from across websites, price reviews, videos, product data (pulled directly from brands & retailers)

Developers

• Launches Vertex AI: platform for developers for enterprise AI/ML
• Launches TPUv4 (AI chip)
• Plans commercial quantum computer by 2029 (developed at new quantum AI campus in Santa Barbara)
• Launches Flutter 2.2 (open source UI development kit)

GCP

• To deploy technology for shifting workloads between datacenters based on availability of renewable energy
• Partnered with Fervo to develop geothermal plant in Nevada, uses AI to optimise efficiency