June has started and so has the countdown for the upcoming Google I/O; after a highly satisfying Apple WWDC where they opened iOS 8 to do things that were previously only limited to Android, the spotlight is now on Google to match or exceed the expectations of its users. The event is scheduled for 25 June 2014 and will be held at Moscone Center in San Francisco, and for those who can’t attend Google will livestream on YouTube. The I/O is something to look forward to and we list the top 5 things we feel should take center-stage at the conference.
Android Update
Android is the OS that has been dominating the market and any update will affect the users as well as the manufacturers. The new update can be 4.5 or 5.0 though we are hoping for the latter; with so many updates having the 4.x.x numbering, version 5 will be a good change. Google traditionally names the OS based on names of known desserts. After KitKat, the letter ‘L’ is next and is rumored to be called Lollipop (we’d like to call it Ladoo) but it can’t be guaranteed. Android OS 4.4 was rumoured to be called Key Lime Pie before being launched as Kitkat. Leaks point out that there will be design changes in the OS with a more cleaner and flatter look. Google Now might have a better integration, there are rumours that the button layout that has been used since Android 4.1 might undergo some changes to make Google Now easily accessible from anywhere. We also think there will be significant changes under the hood to make it favourable for Android Wear.
Android Wear
The name says it all, wearable Android devices are coming soon. The announcement from Google and probably the launch of two Android Wear Smartwatches is highly possible. The LG G Watch is said to be the first Android Wear device followed by the stunning Moto 360. Android wear is a version of Android designed specifically for smartwatch and other wearables. There are other smartwatches in the market like the Pebble, Sony Smartwatch and the Samsung Galaxy Gear but they are all running on proprietary software from the manufacturer. Google saw the potential in the wearable market and hence Android Wear was born. The main motive behind it is to get information to the user as quickly as possible, eliminating the mundane activity of reaching for the smartphone every now and then. Google has released a video on the potential uses of the smartwatch and it looks like Google Now has been deeply integrated.
Nexus 8 Tablet
The rumours about Nexus devices are taken very seriously as most devices set a benchmark for other devices. The Nexus Tablet division as of now comprise of the Nexus 7 & the Nexus 10 tablet (which is not available in India) and there is speculation that a Nexus 8 tablet will be the successor to the Nexus 7 tablet. The tablet market is now full of 7 inch tablets from various manufacturers and looks like Google wants to take it up a notch. The Nexus 8 is rumoured to be an 8.9 inch tablet with a 64 bit NVIDIA Tegra processor, this kind of power is unheard of in the tablet segment and we hope these specs make it to the final version. There is also a possibility that Google might launch the latest OS on the tablet with some new features exclusive to the device (like the Google Launcher exclusive to the Nexus 5). Google had joined hands with ASUS to manufacture both the Nexus 7 tablets but this time rumour suggest that its HTC that’ll be making the new device.
Goodbye Nexus, Hello Android Silver
Popular leakster @evleaks had recently tweeted that the Nexus program will be canned and no further Nexus device will be announced. Instead the Nexus program will be replaced by Android Silver.
@evleaks tweets that its time to say goodbye to Nexus
The Nexus program which started in Jan 2010 with the Nexus One has five devices under the program with the Nexus 5 being the latest addition. The Nexus devices were a huge success among the enthusiasts because they were the first ones to get support from Google in terms of Android updates.
Android Silver is said to be a step up over the existing Nexus program. While the Nexus program was to work with one manufacturer on one device Google might work with multiple manufacturers to deliver the latest Android experience to their devices. It can also be seen as an extended version of the Google Play Edition program. Android Silver gives Google better control over Android updates on flagships devices from different manufactureres.
Project Ara
Google Android is the most used open platform OS and now the search giant is trying its hand at open hardware under the codename Project Ara. Project Ara the part of Motorola that the search giant kept to itself while selling the mobile phone division to Lenovo. Google aims to produce a modular smartphone where the user can chose the hardware they want like display, processor, RAM, camera etc. Project Ara consists of insertable modules into a metal endoskeleton known as “endos”, the endos will be the only part manufactured by Google and the module will be manufactured by hardware manufacturers. It would allow users to upgrade specific components or replace malfunctioning modules without replacing the whole phone. Google I/O will have an event to distribute developer kits of Project Ara while a commercial release is planned for Q1 2015.
I take your leave here as I say “OK, Google” to my Nexus 5 and ask it to “set a reminder for 25th June, because Google I/O baby!”.
