Google I/O, day 1: summary of the Android keynote

[2011-05-11] mobile, google, android, computers, googleio

I had the pleasure of attending Google’s public viewing of the Google I/O keynote, in Munich. This post is a summary of what has been presented. If one were to summarize the content in one sentence, it would be: “Android everywhere”.

Update 1: Google I/O, day 2: summary of the Chrome keynote
Update 2: Good summary at the Android Developers Blog – Android 3.1 Platform, New SDK tools

Logo of Android “Ice Cream Sandwich” [source: The Guardian]

News on Android
- Android Honeycomb 3.1 is available now. [1]
- As we already knew, the next Android version is called “Ice Cream Sandwich” and merges Android Gingerbread (phones) and Android Honeycomb (tablets). Thus, a single version of Android runs on both phones and tablets. [2]
- Android will soon be able to become a USB host and work with cameras, keyboards, etc.
- Android is coming to Google TV, including apps. [3]
Content in the cloud:
- Currently: apps and books
- New: Google Music Beta. [4]
  - Upload via app (on Windows and Mac)
  - Up to 20,000 songs.
  - Free while in beta.
  - Play music via web or Android app.
  - Offline: automatic caching of recently played music. Manually mark artists, albums, or playlists, for offline use.
- New: movies, including rentals. They can be “pinned” (cached) for offline use. [5,6]
Guaranteed updates for users: A group has been formed that is working on guidelines for guaranteeing updates. [7]
- Group members: AT&T, Verizon, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, etc.
- Guaranteed updates for 18 months, if the hardware allows it (potential loophole!). Comparison: Apple introduces a new iPhone each year, but sells the previous model for another year. Thus, you get updates for about 24 months (sometimes a few features are excluded if Apple deems the hardware not capable enough).
Android Open Accessory [8]:
- Open (royalty-free) standard for connecting devices to Android.
- Android devices recognizes an accessory, can automatically download the appropriate app.
- Connect via cable. Soon: support for Bluetooth.
Google@Home: home automation. [8]
- Optional: low-power wireless communication standard, with enough bandwidth to stream video.
- Stream music to Android@Home hubs with integrated speakers.
- Google has partnered with Lighting Science to develop an LED light bulb that can be controlled wirelessly from an Android device. [9]
New Honeycomb tablet: The Samsung 10.1 tab (running 3.0). [10]

Google I/O, day 1: summary of the Android keynote

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