Google’s Google I/O – the tech giant’s annual developer’s event – finally held last night. At the event,…
Google’s Google I/O – the tech giant’s annual developer’s event – finally held last night. At the event, the company made several announcements ranging from new AI products embedded in various features to the debut of a Pixel Fold. Mainly designed for developers, the I/O conference also allows Google to showcase its newest products and services to consumers.
At the event which held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in California, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and a few senior executives introduced several updates and fresh gadgets before a limited live audience and millions watching via live stream.
Given the vast conversations surrounding the topic, it is safe to assert that 2023 is the year of AI. As part of efforts to enrich the user experience and stay competitive, many companies and organisations have introduced AI-led integration into their products. Google – with the recent release of Bard AI – kick-started this year’s I/One with three new AI products for Gmail, Maps, and Photos – three apps preinstalled into Android-enabled phones.
Google has always explored the ways by which generative AI can enable it to refine its offerings. In 2017, Gmail got a Smart Reply feature that allowed consumers to browse through a list of short responses and click the one that aligned with their preference. Smart Compose later emerged, offering cutting-edge writing via AI. Now Google brings something better – an advanced composition feature called “Help me write”.
This AI-powered product will allow users to type a prompt of what they want written – say an email responding to a job offer – and the system will fetch details from previous conversations to use in crafting a detailed response. Users can freely customize the draft or hit “send” immediately.
For Maps, Google builds on the capabilities of Street View which has allowed billions of users to immerse themselves into a place from their devices by browsing through dozens of photos. The new Immersive View for Routes offering will enable users to experience a trip long in advance. It’ll still be done in 3D mode but it gets better.
People can use Immersive View for Routes to check the air quality, traffic, and weather. They can also get insights into future changes to weather or traffic. This will start featuring in devices in the summer and will first arrive in 15 cities including Tokyo and San Francisco.
Photos gets a new Magic Editor which expands the functionalities of Magic Eraser. This addition will bring new AI-led editing abilities to help users get the perfect image. Without needing expert editing knowledge, users can leverage Magic Editor to make elaborate edits. For instance, they can tweak the background of an image. The feature can transform a gloomy sky into a sunny day, enriching the background. Users can also remove unwanted entities in the image like a passerby. Google plans to grant Pixel phones early access to this feature.
Pixel Fold, Tablet, and the new mid-range 7a
Google also unveiled its Pixel Fold smartphone at the I/0 event. Available for pre-order to the public with shipping set to begin next month, Google’s foldable smartphone blends the “helpfulness of a Pixel” with “a design that unfolds into a compact tablet”. This, it believes, brings more use cases to potential buyers. Starting from $1,799, the Pixel Fold will ship with Android 14 – the latest generation of the popular operating system. It’ll run on the Tensor G2 chip, support Magic Eraser, and take lots of great photos thanks to a 48-megapixel main camera.
Google says the new Pixel Tablet is a device “designed to be helpful 24/7 in your hand and in your home.” Bundled with fresh Android OS features, the Tensor G2 processor, a stylish 11-inch screen, and 4 in-built speakers for premium sound, the Pixel Tablet starts at $499.
Next up is the Pixel 7a – Google’s newest entry in the 7 series. It ships with the Tensor G2 and Titan M2 for enhanced performance and security. Now available for sale, the Pixel 7a comes with Face Unlock, 8GB of RAM, up to 90HZ of smooth display, wireless charging capabilities, and more exciting features.
Read also: Pixel Fold, android 14 updates, AI announcements expected during the Google I/O 2023 event
Bard AI no longer has a waitlist
Google jumped on the conversations chatbot bandwagon with Bard which can answer complex questions, provide useful information about a topic, and lots more. Since February 2023, access to Bard has been limited thanks to a waitlist. Fortunately, that’s no longer the case. Sissie Hsaio – VP and GM of Google Assistant and Bard, told the world at the I/O event that Bard will be available for use in 180 countries and territories. More areas will be added shortly.
Additionally, Bard now supports Japanese and Korean with more languages expected to be added soon. Hsaio also noted that in the coming weeks, the AI inquirer will become “more visual both in its responses and your [user] prompts.” Bard will be incorporated into Google’s everyday apps and services like Docs, Maps, Gmail, etc.
Google also plans to integrate Adobe Firefly into Bard so users can generate high-quality AI-powered images from their imagination. This will be achieved through a new partnership with Adobe, The company further envisions more Bard collaborations with platforms like ZipRecruiter and Instacart.
Ensuring AI is responsible always
With the increased presence of AI in daily life comes the fear of the technology being used for harmful purposes. The same applies to Google’s newest suite of services which, though aims to simplify the user experience, relies on AI. From AI-generated deep fakes to videos featuring AI avatars that lure unsuspecting people to click links filled with malware, the possibilities of wrongful use are limitless.
As such, it is worth asking if Google is taking meaningful steps to protect users. Building on this assertion, Google said it will be using watermarking and metadata to help users detect AI-generated content. “Watermarking embeds information directly into content in ways that are maintained even through modest image editing,” it says. Metadata will ensure each AI-generated image has contextual information, helping creators know about a file.
As more companies get involved in the AI game, adequate attention must be paid to the responsible use of AI products. In a statement, Google says “We’re boldly applying AI in our groundbreaking products used by people everywhere, in our contributions to scientific advances that benefit people, and in helping to address societal challenges.”