Google I/O is next week and I'm excited

[Harold Mansfield]

Google I/O, Google's developers conference is next week May 18–20, 2016. Each year it gets better and better as Google is really going all out with Virtual Reality, Project Fi mobile service, and are back to getting serious about hardware.
https://events.google.com/io2016/

Rumors so far are rampant, but no one really knows until it starts.

2 things that I'm hoping for:

Rumors are that HTC is making the next line of Nexus phones. I'm personally hoping for a dual sim phone for Project Fi, but so far it's just a wish.
HTC said to be crafting two Nexus phones for 2016 - CNET (http://www.cnet.com/news/htc-said-to-be-working-on-two-nexus-phones-for-2016/)

Another curious snippet that was announced yesterday is that Republic wireless will now start carrying Nexus Phones along with Samsung flagship phones (which support wifi calling) and that they may be also incorporating T-Mobile's network along with the Sprint Network (which they already run on). They also announced a new pricing plan that seems to mimic Project Fi's pricing.

Maybe I'm wearing my tin foil hat too tight, but it sure seems like Republic wireless and Google's Project Fi are getting pretty chummy.

What about you guys? Are you looking forward to anything? Don't care? Will you be watching the keynotes?

[KristineS]

I wish I could tell you that I'll be glued to this stuff, Harold, but I'm pretty much in the don't care category. Mostly I wait for people, like you, who are excited by the kind of thing to absorb the information and then come back and tell me what's hot and what's not. So, make sure you report back on what you learn.;)

[Harold Mansfield]

Did anyone watch the I/O keynote?
It was pretty awesome!

There was a lot of developer stuff, VR stuff, and some Android stuff that were exiting to me. I also got in on the Android N beta and have already installed it.

However, one stand out for me was they announced an answer to the Amazon Echo called Google Home. For me this is awesome because 99% of the tasks I configured my Echo for involve a Google service or product, but Echo doesn't work with Google Music, or Chromecast, nor can you control more than one connected speaker. And since they are far better at voice rec, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and search...I'm really looking forward to it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZIi08TxxFM

[Harold Mansfield]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bYSX2C4aWc

[Harold Mansfield]

Three other things that came out in the days after the keynote that also excite me:

You will now be able to use Android Apps on Chromebooks:

Google officially announced that it'll soon be possible for you to download Android apps on Chromebooks and use them as if they were native programs on the platform. It's a pivotal step in the long-rumored "merger" of Android and Chrome OS --
Why Android apps on Chromebooks are a really, really big deal (really!) | Computerworld (http://www.computerworld.com/article/3073537/android/android-apps-on-chromebooks.html)

Running Android apps without downloading them

Google showed off a new feature for Android called Instant Apps. With deep links, Android users will be able to use apps from a link without having to download anything from the Play Store.
Android Instant Apps lets you use apps without downloading them | The Verge (http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/18/11703884/android-instant-apps-no-download)

And then out of the blue yesterday it was announced that Android would support Raspberry Pi:

The Raspberry Pi 3 (http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/02/raspberry-pi-3-has-wi-fi-and-bluetooth-64-bit-chip-still-just-35/) is not hurting for operating system choices. The tiny ARM computer is supported by several Linux distributions and even has a version of Windows 10 IoT core available. Now, it looks like the Pi is about to get official support for one of the most popular operating systems out there: Android. In Google's Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository, a new device tree recently popped up (https://android.googlesource.com/device/pifoundation/rpi3/) for the Raspberry Pi 3.

Raspberry Pis, if you're not aware, are cheap, credit card-sized, single board ARM computers with a focus on education and open source software. Hardware hackers and DIYers love the Pi due to its open nature, small size, and plethora of ports and software.



Google to bring official Android support to the Raspberry Pi 3 | Ars Technica (http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/05/google-to-bring-official-android-support-to-the-raspberry-pi-3/)

They also announced two new communication apps

Allo

Allo is a smart messaging app that makes your conversations easier and more expressive. It’s based on your phone number, so you can get in touch with anyone in your phonebook. And with deeply integrated machine learning, Allo has smart features to keep your conversations flowing and help you get things done.

Duo, a video calling app for everyone

Duo is a simple, fast one-to-one video calling app for everyone—whether you’re on Android or iOS, a fast or slow connection, in New York or New Delhi. Like Allo, Duo is based on your phone number, allowing you to reach anyone in your phonebook. And its simple interface fades away when you’re in a call, so it’s just the two of you.

https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2016/05/allo-duo-apps-messaging-video.html