Google held its developers conference, the Google I/O 2024, the company’s most important event to present the latest developments in its products, both those that will reach users directly and the tools that developers can use to create products, applications and uses that will reach their platforms . And of course, they also talked a lot about artificial intelligence.
By 2024 we expect the arrival of Android 15, the next major update to Google’s mobile operating system, and the company has not only released the second public beta of this version of Android, but also revealed some changes that will come to the system, and news for the entire Android ecosystem. Here are the most important ones.
A theft protection system for Android 15
One of the most interesting new features of Android 15 is its new theft protection system, which can detect if your phone has been taken out of your hands and, in this case, block it and prevent thieves from accessing your private data. This system uses the mobile’s sensors, such as the accelerometer, to detect sudden movements that could be linked to theft, and thus prevent the thief from using the device.
This is a very useful feature in cases where a cell phone is stolen while you are using it, i.e. while it is unlocked. If the system detects it, it will block the device, and it can also block the mobile if the connection to mobile networks and WiFi is disabled. The idea is to prevent thieves from accessing our photos, files and other sensitive data.
Restrict access to our most private apps
Android 15 also incorporates a new private space that allows us to separate the desired applications and block them with an authentication method. It is a virtual safe to protect applications that we don’t want others to see or have access to, such as banking or other apps that contain sensitive information. Notifications from these apps will also not be available to other people.
The private space is integrated at the end of the application library. To access this section you must verify our identity with our fingerprint or with a password. This way, even if you lend your unlocked phone to someone, they won’t be able to access these apps because they require a second layer of security.
More security features for Android
In addition to theft protection, Google also announced that it would be possible lock mobile screen remotely, with the new “Remote Lock” function. This is important for users who may not remember their Google account details and therefore cannot use the “Find my device” feature. However, by simply calling a Google phone number and answering a series of questions, you can lock your mobile screen to prevent thieves from accessing your data and files.
Google also announced security improvements in Google Play: Android will use artificial intelligence to detect suspicious activity from apps we have installed, in order to detect threats and alert Google.
Better multitasking on devices with large screens
Android 15 will add a new system for split the screen into different positions on devices with large screens, such as tablets and foldables. In addition, from the multitasking screen we can save these combinations of applications to access them directly from the home screen; For example, we can save as an icon on the screen a shortcut that splits the screen and places Chrome on one side and YouTube on the other.
A much smarter Gmail (thanks to AI)
Google will bring Gemini technology to Gmail, allowing summarize very long emails or even email discussion threads using artificial intelligence, in order to obtain a summary with the most important points. Gmail will also offer suggested replies based on context and user activity.
Android TV: better performance and more efficient consumption
Google also presented new features for Android TV, now updated with Android 14. Among its new features are Performance improvement so that the system is faster, more responsive and provides quick access to connection with headphones.
Android TV also receives new energy modes to control the consumption of our device: a low consumption mode to use only essential functions, an optimized mode for normal use and a high consumption mode for a TV always ready to use all its functions. Android TV too add a mode Picture in picture (PiP) so that applications can display content even outside of them.
Android Automotive will allow you to send content to the screen from your mobile
Google announced that Google Cast technology will come to Android Automotive, which means it will be possible andSend content to the car screen from your mobile, the same way we do with a Chromecast, for example. Rivian electric cars will be the first to benefit from this feature, but we hope to see it reach more cars integrating Android Automotive into their screens. Additionally, Google announced that other apps will soon be coming to Android Auto,
Smartwatches with Wear OS 5 will be more efficient
Google has announced the first details of Wear OS 5, the next version of its operating system for wearables based on Android 14. Among its most important new features are new complications for areas such as progress towards a goal and greater compatibility with screens of different sizes.
But the most important new feature certainly concerns autonomy: watches with Wear OS 5 will have greater autonomy since the system is more efficient in managing resources. For example, a watch with Wear OS 5 consumes 20% less battery than a watch with Wear OS 4 during a marathon.
And finally, a lot of artificial intelligence
Photo: Google.
Google dedicated the first day of Google I/O 2024 to talking about its developments in artificial intelligence, introducing the new Gemini 1.5 Flash and improvements to Google searches using AI. The company also announced new generative AI models for video and images, as well as a smarter search system for Google Photos, allowing images and videos to be searched using natural language queries, such as we were talking to a real person.
But perhaps the most interesting thing they showed about artificial intelligence was Project Astra, what is the future of virtual assistants for Google. In the demo, we were able to see how the AI could see and hear objects and elements around the user to deliver precise and impressive responses. At one point, the person participating in the demonstration showed two cats drawn on a whiteboard next to a box with a question mark, and asked the AI: what does this remind you of ? Immediately, the AI responded: “Schrödinger’s Cat.”
This is an impressive technology that is still in developmentso there is still a long time before we can use a virtual assistant powered by this technology.
Cover image | Google (with editing)
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