Seven new things Google announced at its I/O conference

Google has unveiled its latest raft of updates alongside an all-new product: a physical photo album.
The technology giant launched a host of new features for its apps, products and software at its annual developer's conference alongside the retro physical photo album. It also said it has reached 2 billion active users on Android devices. 
Key announcements of the event included an augmented reality tool called Google Lens, features of the upcoming Android O software, and a standalone virtual reality headset.  
Here are the main updates Google announced at its annual developer's conference. 

Google launches a physical photo album 

Google has added a feature to its Photos app that lets users compile and order printed books with their photos in. The Photos app will use image recognition and machine learning abilities to suggest the best pictures for albums, which will cost $9.99 for softback and $19.99 for hardback. Initially available in the US, they are expected to launch in other countries later in the year. 

Augmented reality for Google Assistant

Google unveiled a new augmented reality tool called Google Lens that can add context to images seen through a camera. The feature uses image recognition and location details to provide the extra information. 
When pointed at a restaurant, for example, it can show ratings and pricing information. It also provides details such as a plant's type of the name of a building.
Google's artificial intelligent Assistant, best known for powering the Home speaker and Pixel phone, will use Lens to help with tasks such as translating menus and logging into Wi-Fi networks.
The Assistant is now available on iOS and can understand typed commands as well as voice ones. It will soon have the ability to order food and make payments within its app too. 

Easy photo sharing and editing  

In addition to the creation of physical albums, the Photos app will let users share albums and certain photo types with their friends and family. Using image recognition software it will prompt users to share photos with friends if they feature in them or if they have been at the same occasion. The photos can be shared via the app, email or text message. 
The Photo app has also gained more editing abilities through the Lens technology. In a demonstration, Google showed how it could be used to remove obstructions from a picture such as a fence in front of someone playing basketball. 

Android O features confirmed 

  • Easy multitasking with "picture in picture" display 
  • The ability to copy and paste across devices with "smart" text selection 
  • More control over notifications and iOS-style dots on individual apps
  • Enhanced security in the Google Play store through a machine learning scanner 
  • Autofill of information such as name, email and password across apps
  • More controls on apps to limit data usage and battery consumption
  • New downloadable fonts and emoji
The beta version of the software is now available for developers to download. It is still not clear what it will be called. 

Google Home adds Spotify

Google announced that its Home speaker now works with Spotify, Soundcloud and Deezer.
It has also added the ability for the speaker to prompt users to take action such as leaving early because of traffic or if a flight has been delayed. And it can respond to commands with visual responses on devices including phones and televisions, such as playing a YouTube video. 
In the US, the company has added free phone calls to mobiles and landlines. It is not clear if or when the feature will be expanded to other countries. 

Gmail gets smart reply

Google hasn't announced any updates to its Allo and Duo apps, launched last year to little fanfare. But it is taking smart reply, a key feature from Allo, and adding it to Gmail. This means Gmail will be able to suggest replies to messages such as, "I'm fine with Saturday". 

Standalone VR headset

Google announced that it is working on a standalone VR headset that doesn't require a phone, cables or computer to work. The company didn't provide details about when the device will be ready but said it is working with Qualcomm, HTC and Lenovo to develop it. 
As well as the new headset it said Samsung and LG have are adding Daydream capabilities to their latest phones so they can work with the current headset, launched last year. 

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