Google’s biggest announcements at I/O 2022

Google has just ended its two-hour-long I/O keynote, which was completely packed with news. We heard about AI, Android, and of course, a plethora of Pixel hardware. Here are the biggest announcements we saw on Wednesday.

Google isn’t raising the price of its A lineup.

Image: Google

Google announced its new mid-tier phone, the Pixel 6A, which will cost $449 when it goes up for pre-order on July 21. The company seems to be flipping its usual script for this phone – the previous A model featured a camera comparable to that found on Google’s flagship Pixel, but had weaker processors. However, the 6A has the Pixel 6’s Tensor chip and design, but opts for a 50MP camera versus the 12-megapixel camera on the standard 6.

Oh, and despite the fact that Google released a two-minute ad last year about the Pixel 5A’s headphone jack, the 6A doesn’t have one. umbilical cord.

Oh look at that Screen is on.

Image: Google

The Pixel Watch’s hardware was completely leaked, so it’s no surprise it’s showing up on this list, but Google has finally given us an idea of ​​what the software will be like. The wearable will run an updated version of Wear OS 3 and will have Fitbit integration so you can keep track of your health metrics. There are still some unanswered (and very important) questions about the clock, though: we don’t know what kind of chip it will be powered from, nor do we know how much it will cost. It is set to launch later this fall alongside the Pixel 7.

The next generation of Pixel phones is on the horizon. Here’s a first look at the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro – equipped with new-generation Google Tensor and an attractive design. coming this fall. #googlio pic.twitter.com/WMysJv1lZP

– Google Google) 11 May 2022

Oh yes. Yes, Google has teased the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro with some renders, which suggest that the phone will have a slightly different camera cutout and back panel. Like Google’s current Pixel, the 7 and 7 Pro will have two and three cameras, respectively. However, the pink color will clearly be gone, so I’ll never be happy again.

Let’s not go around the bush here: Google has announced its own version of Apple’s AirPods Pro. The Pixel Buds Pro will cost $199 when you’re using ANC, feature active noise cancellation, and have an estimated seven hours of battery life. Google says the Buds have a custom audio chip and will support Bluetooth multipoint, allowing them to connect to two devices at once. It’s a neat trick and not particularly common in the earbud world. They’ll also come in multiple colors, including black, red, and green, and will be available for preorder on July 21.

Preview of the Pixel tablet coming next year.

Image: Google

Google announced that it plans to release an Android-powered tablet next year to serve as the “perfect companion for the Pixel with a larger form factor.” The writing for this has been on the wall for some time. (The Android 12L is focused on big-screen experiences, and Mountain View has some tablet-related hires.) But it’s nice to hear Google wants to get into tablets again. The only real hardware detail we have about Google’s upcoming device is that it will have a Tensor chip.

Google Glass 2?

Image: Google

Right at the end of its presentation, Google showed off a pair of AR glasses that were capable of real-time translation during conversations. There aren’t any details on whether this will be a product people can buy, but it’s certainly interesting to see more signs of Google’s plan to join companies like Snap and Meta in the race to put AR on its face. Is.

Google Lens will be able to help you choose your chocolate.

Image: Google

As is often the case, Google’s I/O presentation was full of AI news. Perhaps the biggest thing is that it’s going to start letting people test its language model. Not only will anyone be able to try out LaMDA 2, but eventually, Google hopes to bring the technology to Search and its other products (though it wants to do so very slowly).

There was also a bunch of short stories related to AI. Google announced that its auto-generated translations are coming to YouTube on mobile, that you’ll be able to just look at your Nest Hub Max and start talking to Assistant, and that your phone will be on a fully loaded shelf. Depending on what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to see the chocolate bar and choose one for yourself. That last one Google described as “a supercharged Ctrl-F for the world around you.”

The company is also expanding its multi-search feature, which lets you search on multiple axes. For example, you can give Google a picture of the specific type of cuisine you’re looking for and ask where you can find it nearby.

Google had a full set of security and privacy announcements, including plans for the My Ad Center interface: a hub that allows users to choose the types of ads they see by selecting from a range of topics of interest to them or choosing to see fewer ads. will allow you to customize it. on a given topic. It also said that the company is focusing on implementing additional security features for its products by default, in addition to the concept of “protected computing” to allow more processing on the device rather than sending the data elsewhere.

The next version of Android is available in beta today.

Image: Google

Google shelved its plans for Android 13, and the next version of its mobile OS appears to be moving forward with the ideas introduced in Android 12. The company is adding Content You themes in more places, letting you set up apps to use different languages, and adding some security and privacy features. It’s not included in an earth-shattering release, but as my colleague John Porter points out, it’s probably a good thing. Android 12 has been a bit of a mess, so a year’s worth of refinements and small fixes are probably needed.

For those who want to try it out, the beta is available today.

Google is bringing back its Wallet app to keep not only your payment cards, but also your rewards program memberships, vaccination records, and more. Google says the app is built for the era of digital identity. While I realize this is probably the future, that knowledge doesn’t make me feel lacking in my physical Google Wallet debit card.

London is one of the cities where Immersive View is debuting, along with San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.

Image: Google

Google is adding a new mode to Maps, which is basically Street View from the sky — in select cities, you’ll be able to get an overview of a place to get a better view of the geography before getting lost in the streets below .

Update May 11th, 3:25PM ET: Added Google’s Surprise AR Glasses Preview.

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