Google’s Major Announcements from Its 2019 I/O Conference

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Google hosted its I/O Developers’ Conference last week where it revealed exciting new announcements about its products and services. Some of its new tech is available now but others are coming in the future.

New phones, software updates, security features and more are in the future for Google and its users. If you use any Google products and/or services, check out what’s ahead for your tech future.

Pixel 3a and Pixel 3aXL

One of the biggest announcements from Google is the introduction of new phones, the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. As the names would lead you to guess, the XL is a larger version of the Pixel 3a. The Pixel 3a has a 5.6 inch (14 cm) screen while the 3a XL has a 6 inch (15 cm) screen.

The Pixel 3a XL has a larger battery and both phones have quick charge, letting you get 7 hours of battery life from a 15 minute charge. Both phones come with 64GB of storage.

What’s particularly interesting about these phones is the combination of a high-quality camera with a lower price than previous Pixel phones. No longer do you have to sacrifice the quality of your photos to save money on a phone. The Pixel 3a means you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great photos.

This video introduces the Pixel 3a:

https://youtu.be/vc7LlUtQgNw

The Pixel 3a camera has HDR+, Portrait Mode and Night Sight for taking shots in low light. Unlimited photos from your phone can be saved to Google Photos, but unlike photos from other Google Pixel phones, photos from the Pixel 3a and 3a XL aren’t saved in full resolution.

Check out => 12 Reasons Why Google Photos Is My Favorite Photo Service

And perhaps the best news of all about the Pixel 3a? It comes with a headphone jack.

The Pixel 3a is missing some features included on more expensive Pixel phones, such as wireless charging and water resistance. Also the processor isn’t as powerful on the Pixel 3a as in other Pixel phones.

The Pixel 3a and 3a XL are available now from Google in Just Black, Clearly White, and Purple-ish, priced at $399 and $479 respectively.

Google Nest

Google is integrating Nest into Google so your Nest account can be combined with your Google account. By moving your Nest account to your Google account you’ll be able to have a more unified smart home experience and make the most of updates and new services from Google.

Nest Hub Max is a new device from Google that combines a security camera with a smart speaker and a 10 inch (25 cm) screen. Make video calls, summon Google Assistant, view your Google Photos, control your smart home devices, and monitor your home while you’re away with the Nest Hub Max.

This video shows you what the Nest Hub Max can do:

https://youtu.be/RW9-8ih147A

You can get on the wait list to order the Nest Hub Max when it becomes available this summer in the  U.S., U.K. and Australia. The price is $229.

Google Assistant Updates

Google Assistant is becoming smarter and faster, with responses up to ten times faster than before. You’ll be able to ask Google Assistant to send an email, including a subject line and inserting a photo into the email.

A new feature called Continued Conversations will mean you can carry on a conversation with Google Assistant without having to say, “Hey, Google” each time.

Google Assistant will be better integrated into apps on Android phones so you can ask it to perform tasks within compatible apps. For example you’ll be able ask Google Assistant on an Android phone, “Start a run in the Nike Run Club app.”

Android

With Project Mainline Google is adding the ability to update Android from the Google Play store, without having to wait for carriers to release the updates. This should extend the useful life of many Android phones that weren’t receiving updates previously.

Live Captions is a new feature that will add captions to videos on Android phones, making hearing what’s being said easier in noisy places and helping those who are hard of hearing. The feature works on all videos, including video chats, videos sent by friends, YouTube videos and videos within apps. Live Captions will be able to add captions to videos even when your phone isn’t connected to the Internet.

Google Maps Privacy

Google Maps will offer more privacy options, including an incognito mode that shields your identity when you’re searching for a place. This mode will be available both on the Google Maps app and on the website.

You’ll also be able to set your search history to be deleted by Google Maps automatically, every three to eighteen months.

Also see => How Google Maps Can Help You Travel in the Future

Google Lens

Google Lens has also become smarter with new features to bring you more information about the world around you. Use Google Lens to see photos of meals at a restaurant when you point your camera at a menu.

Google Lens can instantly translate over 100 languages when you point your camera at text. You can also have Google Lens read text out loud and show you the definition of any word you don’t understand.

Learn more at => Google Lens Identifies What’s in Photos — Now for Android and iPhone

More Google I/O 2019 Announcements

Google made over 100 announcements at its I/O Conference last week. This article covers many of the major announcements, but not all 100.

Count ‘em up! 100 things we announced at #io19 → https://t.co/iB6DcR66m7 pic.twitter.com/rJfvL6e9OU

— Google (@Google) May 9, 2019

If you’d like to read about more I/O announcements from Google, check out the Google Technology Blog: Count ‘em up: 100 things we announced at I/O ‘19.

Your Thoughts

Which of the announcements coming from Google’s 2019 I/O Conference are you most excited about? Do you like the idea of the Pixel 3a, a less expensive phone with a quality camera? Do you like that Android phones will be able to update their operating systems through Google Play?

Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!