6 Major Google IO 2021 Announcements

Google I/O 2021 kicked off earlier this week announcing a series of product announcements. In this article we will cover the top 6 major announcements and some honorouble mention at the end.

AI language LaMDA

One of the fascinating things coming out of Google I/O this year is LaMDA, a conversational language model built on Google’s neural network architecture called Transformer. Unlike other language models trained to answer queries, LaMDA is trained in dialogue and can engage in free-flowing conversations on pretty much any topic. A simulation of a pre-recorded conversation with LaMDA acting as the planet Pluto was natural and something that current voice assistants would have a hard time understanding and parsing. Eventually, Google will use LaMDA in Google Assistant, Search, and is looking into ways to give developers access to the futuristic platform.

Interconnected Workspaces

Google is adding a new collaboration tool to Workspaces: Smart Canvas. It looks like a mix of Google Sheets, Docs, and the task-managing service Asana with integration to Google Meet. This means that you'll be able to join a Meet video call while collaborating on a Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide. Google Meet is also receiving noise cancellation improvements, video quality features that rely on AI for lighting, framing and focussing, and translations.

Project Starline

Even if many places in the world are easing up on COVID-19 restrictions, there’ll still be a need for better remote conferencing tools as the world is more connected than ever. Meet Project Starline: Google’s project that uses 3D imaging to make video calls feel like you’re talking to someone in person. Google demonstrated Project Starline, which uses high-resolution cameras and depth sensors to create a real-time 3D model of a person who is “sitting” across you to recreate the feeling of having a face-to-face meeting.

Improved Photo Features

This year Google is bringing few features to Google Photos - a new AI feature called Little Patterns. These patterns will surface photos in your account that have three similar objects -- for example coffee mugs -- and then group them into photo albums and photos get a cinematic treatment.

Google Photos will also let you lock your private photos in a secure folder that can only be accessed by you. This is coming to Pixel phones first and later to other Android devices.

Finally, Google Photos is working on a tool that makes it easy to remove a certain person, or timeframe in your life, from your Photos' memories. For instance, hiding an ex who keeps showing up in your memories.

Smart Camera Features

Google is bringing a few innovative camera software features.

-camera that is more inclusive of skin tone - Cameras are terrible at handling the white balance of nonwhite faces and AI hasn't helped solve this problem. Google may have a solution to this problem in their capture and computational photography algorithms for darker skin tones and curly hair.

-health tool to identify skin conditions - Google revealed a new health tool that lets you take a photo of a problem skin area and answer questions about their skin type and symptoms to help you better identify skin conditions. Google aims to launch a pilot of the tool later this year.

New Look and Feel

Google officially showcased its new design language, Material You, and Android 12 will flaunt a brand-new “Material You” design with a whole lot of new changes. It offers a lot of colour and customization. It also offers some new privacy features, including a new privacy dashboard. A beta will be available today, and it works with phones from 11 device makers.

These were our top 6 from this year’s Google I/O. I have barely scratched the surface of these updates, there are more details that would require specific articles for each of the annoucements.

Now for a quick glimpse at product announcements that deserve an honourable mention:

• Password Manager to include password importer functionality from other applications, deeper integration across Chrome and Android with password alerts for breaches and a quick-fix feature in Chrome.

• Wear OS will now be a unified platform for Samsung, Fitbit and Google and Wear OS will be getting a major update this year.

• Select Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones running Android 12 later this year will be able to use their phone to unlock their car.

• Maps will get smarted by introducing new eco-friendly routes and safer routing based on road, weather and traffic conditions.

• Google Search gets an uplift - for example, you could search a specific item from a screenshot.

• Google is collaborating with Shopify to revamp Shopping Experience by allowing you to continue your shopping right where you left off.

• There were a series of developer focussed announcements which I am not going to list in this video but happy to cover it in a separate one.

Google I/O did not cover anything to do with Stadia, Pixel Buds, Pixel Watch and new Nest hubs. These could be revealed alongside Google's Pixel 6 release later this year.

Which were your favourite updates from Google I/O this year? Let me know in the comments section below.