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Weekly Update - May 20, 2017: Google I/O, Assistant, Android, AI

This week was Google’s big developer conference - Google I/O 2017. This year’s theme: the shift from “mobile first” to an “AI first” world.

What does that mean in practical terms? Machine learning and artificial intelligence are integrated throughout Google’s products. Google Assistant will be available on more devices (including iPhones), Google Home is getting smarter, “Google Lens” will help your phone understand what it “sees”, there are now smart replies in Gmail and Google Photos will make suggestions for sharing.

And Google wants to bring the benefits of AI to everyone. Machine learning is used to predict the properties of new molecules and design drugs, improve healthcare, and even help you find a job. They also introduced the Tensor Flow Research Cloud, offering computing power free to allow researchers to explore machine learning projects.

Beyond AI, Google may also be making your life more entertaining: they announced a new standalone VR headset (no phone, no cables!), shared YouTube video watching in VR, a new Android TV interface and 360-degree live video on TVs.

And, of course, developers got a closer look at Android O.

Google also recognizes that not all of its 2 billion monthly active Android devices is a high end smartphone or consistent access to a high speed internet connection. Google is developing Android Go to bring computing to more people around the world

Here are my top updates this week, with most - but not all - announced at Google I/O.
  • Google Lens uses AI to help your phone understand what it sees
  • Three new ways to share from Google Photos: Suggested Sharing, Shared Libraries, Photo Books 
  • More transparency for AdSense Publishers: page level policy actions and new policy center 
  • The Gmail app gets Smart Reply
  • A sneak peek at Android O 
  • Android Go is designed to bring computing to more users around the world

Google I/O overview

Plus there are updates and tips for YouTubers, Google Plussers, AdSense and AdMob publishers, Webmasters, and more.

Image: #IO17

Upcoming

Artificial Intelligence

Google Assistant

VR and AR

YouTube and Video Creation

Go Live

Google+

  • Improved photo browsing in the Google+ iOS app (Michael Wattendorf)
  • Boost engagement in your Google+ Community (Shelly Corbett)

Other social media

Google Photos and Mobile Photography

  • Google Lens uses AI to help your phone understand what it sees (Google Blog)
  • Three new ways to share from Google Photos: Suggested Sharing, Shared Libraries, Photo Books (Google Blog)

Google for businesses

  • Creating a Google My Business listing no longer automatically creates a Google+ Page (Online Ownership)

Bloggers and Webmasters

AdSense and advertising

Hangouts and Messaging

Nexus & Pixel, Android, Project Fi

Productivity

Privacy and Security

And more


Updated March 2019 to remove Google+ links

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