10.00 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Every move you make, I’ll be watching you...

Published
By Joseph George

Google last night announced a major overhaul of its software bringing in a new design element apart from expanding into new platforms including your TV, car and wrist watch.

The most important announcement of last evening`s Google I/O Conference was the new advanced version of the Android OS, called Android L that will be rolled out later this year and promises a redesigned interface and improved battery life.



 
Starting today customers in the United States can also preorder the new LG G watch and the Samsung Gear, equipped with the new Google Wear OS. The Moto 360 from Motorola will be available in the coming months.

As Google pointed out in its blog Android Wear extends Android, and its ecosystem of apps, to your wrist. “You get the information you need, quickly at a glance—just like you’re used to doing with your watch. Just say “Ok Google” to ask questions or to get stuff done,” the post said.

Chevrolet and Bentley are the first but soon your Honda and Nissan vehicles could also be equipped with Android auto – the new Android L OS will mirror your smartphone screen onto any enabled touchscreen dashboard  fitted into your car. Connected steering wheel will also enable users to move between various options without taking off their hands from them.



 

Google says Android recognizes that using your hands to get directions, traffic updates, and music playlist is simply unsafe.

“Just connect your Android phone to a car with Android Auto, and you’ll have what you need at your fingertips such as turn-by-turn navigation from Google Maps, your curated playlists and radio stations through Play Music, simple-to-use voice search, and reminders from Google Now. You’ll start to see Android Auto in cars later this year,” the post said.

As if controlling you through your smartphone, automobile and wristwatch was not sufficient Google has gone on an all out assault on invading your living room, which could soon almost push the set top box to a bygone era.

Last year Google launched Chromecast a small USB device that casts online video, music and anything from the web to your TV.

Google last evening not only updated the Chromecast to make it even more powerful, but introduced Android TV to move Android apps directly on to your TV screen.

The Chromecast update will have new features like the ability to allow others to cast to your TV without needing to be on the same WiFi network, a customizable homescreen with personal photos and casting exactly what is on your Android phone or tablet screen directly to the TV.

“Android is baked directly into your TV-watching experience, through a set-top box or as part of your TV. You can use voice search to find a live TV show, a good flick from Google Play, or a music video on YouTube,” he said.

Movies and TV series can be streamed directly on to your TV through integrated apps such as Netflix, Hulu, and Pandora. Soon you might also be able to add in more popular ones like XBMC and Popcorn-Time which is still running beta.

What`s more Google has already tied up with Sony, Sharp and Phillips to integrate Android TV into its new sets. Samsung currently has its own software on Samsung smart TVs.

The presentation was all about the omnipresence of Google which is today used by more than 1 billion users worldwide.

“There are now one billion of you around the world who use an Android device. One billion. We estimate that’s more than 20 billion text messages sent every day. 1.5 trillion steps taken with an Android. And more importantly, a roughly estimated 93M selfies.

A total of 5,000 new APIs (application programming interfaces) were announced for developers.